The Best Musical Artists From California

Ranker Music
Updated May 15, 2024 51.4K views 113 items
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20.3K votes
1.4K voters
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Voting Rules
Only artists born or raised in California and groups formed in California.

Here are the best artists and bands from California. From the San Francisco Bay to the coast of San Diego, there is a lot to love about the Golden State. With almost 40 million residents, it is no surprise to see that California has produced some of the most influential singers and bands of all time. These are the most popular musical artists from California in every genre imaginable. 

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are the best example of the California lifestyle. Anthony Kiedis, Flea, and the rest of the boys love California so much, they've written numerous songs about it. However, it is more than just rock that has come out of the state. The Bakersfield Sound is well-known around the globe, and country acts from Buck Owens to Merle Haggard have honed their styles in the heart of California. Home to West Coast hip hop, some of the greatest rappers of all time, like Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre, were either born or raised in Los Angeles. 

The most famous musical artists from California are on this list, and they have all impacted the world in some way. Which ones do you listen to regularly? Vote up the best California artists, and feel free to add any other musicians, rappers, singers, and bands with CA roots.

Most divisive: Primus
Over 1.4K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Musical Artists From California
  • Foster the People
    61

    Foster the People

    Indie pop, Synthpop, Rock music
    59 votes
    Foster the People is an American indie pop band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2009. The group is composed of Mark Foster, Jacob "Cubbie" Fink, and Mark Pontius. The group's music, described as melodic dance-infused pop and rock, spans many genres. Foster founded the band in 2009 after spending several years in Los Angeles as a struggling musician and working as a commercial jingle writer. After Foster's song "Pumped Up Kicks" became a viral success in 2010, the group received a record deal from Startime International and gained a fanbase through small club shows and appearances at music festivals. After releasing their debut album Torches in May 2011, "Pumped Up Kicks" became a crossover hit on commercial radio in mid-2011 and eventually reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The record also produced the popular singles "Helena Beat" and "Don't Stop". The group received two Grammy Award nominations for Torches and "Pumped Up Kicks". After touring for two years in support of Torches, Foster the People released their second album, Supermodel, in March 2014. It was preceded by the lead single "Coming of Age".
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  • Oingo Boingo
    62

    Oingo Boingo

    Synthpop, New Wave, Gothic rock
    45 votes
    Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band, formed by songwriter Danny Elfman in 1979. Oingo Boingo emerged from a surrealist performance art theatrical troupe, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, founded in 1972 and led by Danny Elfman's brother Richard Elfman. Oingo Boingo were known for their high energy live concerts and experimental music, which can be described as mixing rock, ska, pop and world music. This eclectic mix of styles would eventually influence bands as varied as Fishbone, Nirvana and Mr. Bungle. The band's body of work spanned 17 years, with various genre and line-up changes. Their best-known songs include "Only a Lad", "Dead Man's Party" and "Weird Science". As a rock band, Oingo Boingo started as a ska and punk-influenced new wave octet, achieving significant popularity in Southern California. During the mid-1980s, the band changed line-ups and adopted a more pop oriented style, until a significant genre change to alternative rock in 1994. At that point, the name was shortened to simply Boingo and the keyboardist and horn section were dropped. The band retired after a farewell concert on Halloween 1995, for which they reverted to the name Oingo Boingo and readopted the horn section.
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  • Eve 6
    63

    Eve 6

    Pop punk, Rock music, Emo
    24 votes
    Eve 6 is an American rock band from Southern California, who are most well known for their hit singles "Inside Out" and "Here's to the Night". They disbanded in 2004, returned for numerous tours in 2007 with a new lineup, and finally reunited with all three original members in early 2011. They signed to Fearless Records in the spring of that year, and released their long-awaited fourth album Speak in Code, containing the singles "Victoria" and "Curtain", in April 2012.
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  • The Knack
    64

    The Knack

    New Wave, Rock music, Power pop
    31 votes
    The Knack was an American rock band based in Los Angeles that rose to fame with their first single, "My Sharona", an international number-one hit in 1979.
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  • House of Pain
    65

    House of Pain

    Hip hop music, Rock music, Funk
    27 votes
    House of Pain is an American hip hop group who released three albums in the 1990s before lead rapper Everlast left to pursue his solo career. The group's name is a reference to the H.G. Wells novel The Island of Dr. Moreau, a reference carried further by the naming of their 2011 tour He Who Breaks the Law. The group is best known for its 1992 hit single "Jump Around", which reached No. 3 in their native United States, No. 6 in Ireland and No. 8 in the United Kingdom. The group broke up in 1996 but re-formed in 2010, after the trio had been members of supergroup La Coka Nostra for several years.
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  • The Whispers
    66

    The Whispers

    Synthpop, Disco, Contemporary R&B
    25 votes
    The Whispers are an American group from Los Angeles, California, with a consistent track record of hit records dating back to the late 1960s. The Whispers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003, and were winners of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's prestigious Pioneer Award in 2008. By popular vote, the group was inducted into The SoulMusic Hall Of Fame at SoulMusic.com in December 2012.
  • Third Eye Blind
    67

    Third Eye Blind

    Pop rock, Alternative rock, Post-grunge
    47 votes
    Third Eye Blind are an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1993. After years of lineup changes in the early and mid-1990s, the songwriting duo of Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan signed the band's first major-label recording contract with Elektra Records in 1996. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1997, with the band largely consisting of Jenkins (vocals, rhythm guitar), Cadogan (lead guitar), Arion Salazar (bass guitar), and Brad Hargreaves (drums). Shortly after the release of the band's second album in 1999, Blue, with the same line-up, Cadogan was released from the band under controversial circumstances. The band continued, but with many line-up changes and long gaps between album releases for the next 15 years. The band found commercial success in the late 1990s, with Third Eye Blind and Blue certified platinum six times and single platinum in the United States, respectively. Third Eye Blind have sold around 12 million records worldwide.
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  • Descendents
    68

    Descendents

    Pop punk, Melodic hardcore, Skate punk
    67 votes
    The Descendents are a punk rock band formed in 1977 in Manhattan Beach, California by guitarist Frank Navetta, bassist Tony Lombardo and drummer Bill Stevenson. In 1979, they enlisted Stevenson's school friend Milo Aukerman as a singer, and reappeared as a punk rock band, becoming a major player in the hardcore punk scene developing in Los Angeles at the time. They have released seven studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums, and three EPs. Since 1986, the band's lineup has consisted of singer Milo Aukerman, guitarist Stephen Egerton, bassist Karl Alvarez, and drummer Bill Stevenson.
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  • Ratt
    69

    Ratt

    Glam metal, Blues-rock, Rock music
    37 votes
    Ratt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s, with their albums having been certified as gold, platinum, and multi-platinum by the RIAA. The group is perhaps best known for hit singles such as "Round and Round" and "Lay It Down", tracks that ranked on Billboard's top 40 at No. 12 and No. 40, respectively, as well as other songs such as "Wanted Man", "You're in Love" and "Dance". Along with groups such as friendly rivals Mötley Crüe, Ratt has been recognized as instrumental in the formation of the early 1980s Los Angeles glam metal scene, also known as "hair metal" or "pop metal".The band has continued to tour and record following extended hiatuses and line-up changes, releasing their latest studio album, Infestation, on April 20, 2010.
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  • The Distillers
    70

    The Distillers

    Pop punk, Street punk, Alternative rock
    37 votes
    The Distillers were an American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1998. They released their first two albums on Hellcat Records/Epitaph Records before moving to Sire, part of the Warner Music Group. The Distillers were originally formed by Australian-born Brody Armstrong, a woman with a distinctively harsh singing voice. Brody changed her last name to "Dalle" after her 2003 divorce from Rancid's Tim Armstrong. Although there were significant line-up changes it was Brody who played guitar, sang, and wrote or co-wrote nearly every song on the band's three albums. Tony Bevilacqua also played guitar and Ryan Sinn played bass. After the break up of the band, Dalle and Bevilacqua formed the band Spinnerette.
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  • The Pharcyde
    71

    The Pharcyde

    Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop, West Coast hip hop
    35 votes
    The Pharcyde (pronounced "far side") is an American alternative hip hop group, formed in 1989, from South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani (Emandu Wilcox), Slimkid3 (Trevant Hardson), Bootie Brown (Romye Robinson), and Fatlip (Derrick Stewart). DJ Mark Luv was the group's first disc jockey (DJ), followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla. The group is perhaps best known for the hit singles "Drop", "Passin' Me By" and "Runnin'", as well as their first album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde (1992). The group continues to tour and record, both collaboratively and in solo projects—the most recent being Hardson's collaborative EP with the award-winning DJ Nu-Mark (of Jurassic 5) released in 2014 on Delicious Vinyl.
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  • Suicidal Tendencies
    72

    Suicidal Tendencies

    Nu metal, Rock music, Heavy metal
    40 votes
    Suicidal Tendencies are an American crossover thrash band formed in 1980 in Venice, California by vocalist Mike Muir, who is the only remaining original member of the band. Along with D.R.I., Corrosion of Conformity, and Stormtroopers of Death, they are often credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash". Their current lineup includes Muir, guitarists Dean Pleasants and Ben Weinman, bassist Ra Díaz and drummer Dave Lombardo. Notable musicians who have contributed to the band's studio or live activities include guitarists Rocky George and Mike Clark, bassists Louiche Mayorga, Robert Trujillo, Josh Paul and Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner, and drummers Amery Smith, Jimmy DeGrasso, Brooks Wackerman, David Hidalgo Jr., Thomas Pridgen and session musician Josh Freese. Suicidal Tendencies have released thirteen studio albums (four of which are composed of re-recorded or previously released material), two EPs, four split albums, four compilation albums, and two long-form videos. The band achieved their first success with their 1983 self-titled debut album; it spawned the single "Institutionalized", which was one of the first hardcore punk videos to receive substantial airplay on MTV. After releasing one new song on the split release Welcome to Venice (1985) and their second studio album Join the Army (1987), Suicidal Tendencies were signed to Epic Records in 1988, and continued their commercial success with its next three albums, How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today (1988), Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit...Déjà Vu (1989) and Lights...Camera...Revolution! (1990); the latter two were certified Gold by the RIAA. Their 1992 follow-up album The Art of Rebellion was another success, and included three of their biggest hits "Asleep at the Wheel", "Nobody Hears" and "I'll Hate You Better".After releasing two more studio albums (Still Cyco After All These Years and Suicidal for Life), the band broke up and severed ties from Sony and Epic in 1995. However, they reunited a year later and have continued to perform and record since then. After over a decade of work and many lineup changes, Suicidal Tendencies released their eleventh studio album with all-new material, 13, in 2013, followed three years later by World Gone Mad (2016); both albums were well-received by critics, and considered comebacks for Suicidal Tendencies. Their most recent releases are the EP Get Your Fight On! and an album featuring unreleased and re-recorded material Still Cyco Punk After All These Years, both released in 2018.
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  • Missing Persons
    73

    Missing Persons

    Synthpop, New Wave, Pop music
    38 votes
    Missing Persons is an American band that plays a blend of new wave and hard rock. The band was founded in 1980 in Los Angeles by guitarist Warren Cuccurullo, vocalist Dale Bozzio, and drummer Terry Bozzio. They later added bassist Patrick O'Hearn and keyboardist Chuck Wild. Dale's quirky voice and heavy makeup made the band a favorite on MTV in the early 1980s. Her revealing outfits played a pivotal role in moving the culture of music videos towards that of overt sexual exhibitionism. Dale and Terry Bozzio met while working with Frank Zappa, and they married in 1979. Cuccurullo encountered the pair while contributing to the Zappa album Joe's Garage. O'Hearn was also a former member of Zappa's touring band, and Wild had played with a variety of bands before joining.
  • Cracker
    74

    Cracker

    Post-grunge, Alternative rock, Alternative country
    36 votes
    Cracker is an American rock band led by singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. The band is best known for its gold-selling 1993 album, Kerosene Hat, which includes the hit songs "Low" and "Euro-Trash Girl." Lowery and Hickman formed the band in 1991, releasing the album Cracker the following year (which included singles "Happy Birthday to Me" and "Teen Angst") on Virgin Records. The band has been touring ever since, releasing nine studio albums and several compilations, collaborations, solo projects and live albums.Cracker mix influences and sounds from rock, punk, grunge, psychedelia, country, blues and folk.
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  • Concrete Blonde
    75

    Concrete Blonde

    Alternative rock
    36 votes
    Concrete Blonde were an alternative rock band from Hollywood, California. They were active from 1982 to 1995, from 2001 to 2004, and then reunited in 2010 and split up again in 2012. They were best known for their 1990 album Bloodletting, their top 20 single "Joey", and Johnette Napolitano's distinctive vocal style.
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  • Sparks
    76

    Sparks

    Synthpunk, Synthpop, New Wave
    41 votes
    Sparks is an American pop and rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1972 by brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals). The duo formed in 1968 under the name Halfnelson. Known for their quirky approach to songwriting, Sparks' music is often accompanied by intelligent, sophisticated, and acerbic lyrics, and an idiosyncratic, theatrical stage presence, typified in the contrast between Russell's animated, hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's deadpan scowling. They are also noted for Russell Mael's distinctive wide-ranging voice and Ron Mael's intricate and rhythmic keyboard playing style. While achieving chart success in various countries around the world including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and the United States, they have enjoyed a cult following since their first releases. During the late 1970s, when in collaboration with Giorgio Moroder (and Telex subsequently), Sparks reinvented themselves as a new wave/synth-pop band, and abandoned the traditional rock band line-up. Their frequently changing styles and visual presentations have kept the band at the forefront of modern, artful pop music.The 2002 release of Lil' Beethoven, their "genre-defying opus", as well as the more recent albums Hello Young Lovers (2006, their 20th studio album), Exotic Creatures of the Deep (2008), and their latest fantasy musical The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman (2009–2010) have brought Sparks renewed critical and commercial success, and seen them continue to "steer clear of pop conventions." The band also released an album with Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand, as the supergroup FFS, titled FFS, released in 2015. Sparks are best known for the songs "This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us", which reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1974; the disco hit "The Number One Song in Heaven" in 1979; "When I'm With You" which topped the French Singles Chart in 1980; the single "I Predict", which provided Sparks' first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 60 in May 1982; the 1983 single "Cool Places" with the Go-Go's rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Jane Wiedlin, and "When Do I Get to Sing 'My Way'" which topped the German and European charts in 1994/95 and was the top airplay record in Germany for 1994. In 2017 Sparks released Hippopotamus, which entered the UK Albums Chart at no. 7, marking Sparks' first UK top-ten appearance in over 40 years.
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  • Tesla
    77

    Tesla

    Glam metal, Blues-rock, Rock music
    39 votes
    Tesla is an American rock band formed in Sacramento, California in late 1981 by bassist Brian Wheat and guitarist Frank Hannon Lead vocalist Jeff Keith, drummer Troy Luccketta, and guitarist Tommy Skeoch joined them by 1984. By 1986, the band had changed from its glam-derived sound to a 'rootsier' direction under a new name: Tesla. In 1996, the band disbanded, with members devoting themselves to solo projects. In 2000, they reformed, but Tommy Skeoch departed the band in 2006 and was replaced by Dave Rude. They have sold 14 million albums in the United States.
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  • Fishbone
    78

    Fishbone

    Heavy metal, Reggae fusion, Hard rock
    51 votes
    Fishbone is an American band formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, which plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, heavy rock, reggae, and soul. AllMusic has described the group as "one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s. With their hyperactive, self-conscious diversity, goofy sense of humor, and sharp social commentary, the group gained a sizable cult following yet they were never able to earn a mainstream audience."Fishbone first assembled in 1979 with John Norwood Fisher (bass), his brother Philip "Fish" Fisher (drums), Angelo Moore (vocals, saxophones and theremin), Kendall Jones (guitar), "Dirty" Walter A. Kibby II (vocals, trumpet), and Christopher Dowd (keyboards, trombone, vocals). They achieved their greatest success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, after which they went through many personnel changes. From 2003 to 2010, John Norwood Fisher and Angelo Moore were the last remaining original members of the band. In the 2010s, all the other original members except Kendall Jones rejoined the band for various reunions and anniversary activities.
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  • Grouplove
    79

    Grouplove

    Indie pop, Indietronica, Alternative dance
    30 votes
    Grouplove is an American indie rock band that formed in 2009 by Hannah Hooper, Christian Zucconi, Sean Gadd, Andrew Wessen, and Ryan Rabin. Ryan Rabin produced their debut EP which was originally released independently, and was later re-released by Canvasback/Atlantic with a bonus track and their hit song, "Colours". Their debut album, Never Trust a Happy Song, was also produced by Rabin and was released worldwide on September 13, 2011.
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  • Minutemen
    80

    Minutemen

    Dance-punk, Experimental music, Alternative rock
    38 votes
    Minutemen was an American rock band formed in San Pedro, California in 1980. Composed of guitarist/vocalist D. Boon, bassist/vocalist Mike Watt, and drummer George Hurley, Minutemen recorded four albums and eight EPs before Boon's death in an automobile accident in December 1985. They were noted in the California punk community for a philosophy of "jamming econo"—a sense of thriftiness reflected in their touring and presentation—while their eclectic and experimental attitude was instrumental in pioneering alternative rock.
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  • Silversun Pickups
    81

    Silversun Pickups

    Indie pop, Noise rock, Shoegazing
    38 votes
    Silversun Pickups is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles that was formed in 2000. The band is composed of Brian Aubert, Nikki Monninger, Christopher Guanlao, and Joe Lester. The band released their debut EP, Pikul, in July 2005, and their debut album, Carnavas, on July 26, 2006. Their second album, Swoon, was released on April 14, 2009. Neck of the Woods, the band's third album, came out on May 8, 2012. They issued their fourth album, Better Nature, on September 25, 2015. Their fifth album, Widow's Weeds, came out on June 7, 2019.
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  • Stone Poneys
    82

    Stone Poneys

    Rock music, Folk rock, Country rock
    41 votes
    The Stone Poneys were a folk-rock trio formed in Los Angeles, consisting of Linda Ronstadt on vocals, Bobby Kimmel on rhythm guitar and vocals, and the late Kenny Edwards on lead guitar. Their recordings include Ronstadt's first hit song, a cover of Mike Nesmith's "Different Drum". Even at this early stage, Ronstadt was already showcasing her performances of an eclectic mix of songs, often from under-appreciated songwriters, requiring a wide array of backing musicians. As a testament to enduring interest in the trio, the band's three albums, The Stone Poneys, Evergreen, Volume 2, and Linda Ronstadt, Stone Poneys and Friends, Vol. III, were released together as single CDs for the first time in the 1990s in the US, with the first two albums reissued in Australia in 2008. Four additional songs from the band's third album could also be found on the Australian reissue.
  • Fitz and The Tantrums
    83

    Fitz and The Tantrums

    Indie pop, Neo soul
    29 votes
    Fitz (pronounced "fits") is an Old French noun meaning "son of", ultimately from Latin filius (son), plus genitive case of the father's forename. Whilst Fitz is now the standard form used in Anglo-Norman followed by modern historians the word appears in ancient documents with various spellings such as fiz, filz, etc. The word has developed in modern French to fils de, with which it is thus cognate.
  • Shiny Toy Guns
    84

    Shiny Toy Guns

    Synthpunk, Synthpop, New Wave
    22 votes
    Shiny Toy Guns is an American rock band that formed in 2002 in Los Angeles, California. They released their first studio album We Are Pilots in 2006, after recording it two previous times. It featured three singles that peaked inside the top 30 in the Alternative Songs Chart. We Are Pilots was nominated for a Grammy Award. Their second album Season of Poison was released in 2008 and featured two singles that peaked inside the top 30 in the Alternative Songs Chart.
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  • The Donnas
    85

    The Donnas

    Pop punk, Rock music, Garage punk
    35 votes
    The Donnas are an American rock band formed in Palo Alto, California in 1993. They consisted of Brett Anderson (lead vocals), Allison Robertson (guitar, backing vocals), Maya Ford (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Amy Cesari (drums, percussion, backing vocals). Cesari replaced Torry Castellano, who left the band in 2009 due to tendonitis. They draw inspiration from Ramones, The Runaways, AC/DC, Bachman–Turner Overdrive and Kiss. Rolling Stone has stated that "the Donnas offer a guileless take on adolescent alienation; they traffic in kicks, not catharsis, fun rather than rage". MTV has stated that the band offers "a good old-fashioned rock & roll party". After gathering a cult following in the punk scene since their 1997 debut, the band achieved major label commercial success in the early 2000s and afterward as their music mixed punk, metal and classic rock sounds.
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  • Buckethead
    86

    Buckethead

    Noise rock, Dark ambient, Space rock
    53 votes
    Brian Patrick Carroll (born May 13, 1969), known professionally as Buckethead, is an American multi-instrumentalist musician who has received critical acclaim for his innovative electric guitar playing. His music spans many genres, including progressive metal, funk, blues, bluegrass, ambient, and avant-garde music. He performs primarily as a solo artist, though he has collaborated extensively with a wide variety of high-profile artists such as Bill Laswell, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Iggy Pop, Les Claypool, Serj Tankian, Bill Moseley, Mike Patton, Viggo Mortensen, That 1 Guy, Bassnectar, and was a member of Guns N' Roses from 2000 to 2004. He has released 306 studio albums, four special releases, and one EP. He has also performed on more than 50 other albums by other artists. When performing, Buckethead wears a KFC bucket on his head, emblazoned with an orange bumper sticker reading FUNERAL in block letters, and an expressionless plain white mask inspired by Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers. At one point, he changed to a plain white bucket without a KFC logo, but subsequently reverted to his emblematic KFC bucket. He also incorporates nunchaku and robot dancing into his stage performances.Buckethead has been voted number 8 on a list in GuitarOne magazine of the "Top 10 Fastest Guitar Shredders of All Time" as well as being included in Guitar World's lists of the "25 all-time weirdest guitarists" and the "50 fastest guitarists of all time". Buckethead has written and performed music for major motion pictures, including Saw II, Ghosts of Mars, Beverly Hills Ninja, Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Last Action Hero, and contributed lead guitar to the track "Firebird" featured on the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie soundtrack.
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  • Wolfgang Van Halen
    87

    Wolfgang Van Halen

    Rock music, Heavy metal, Hard rock
    41 votes
    Wolfgang William Van Halen (born March 16, 1991) is an American musician who is currently the bassist for Van Halen, having replaced Michael Anthony in 2006. He is also the former bassist for the heavy metal band Tremonti. At 28 years old, he is the youngest member of Van Halen.
  • The Sylvers
    88

    The Sylvers

    Disco, Rhythm and blues, Soul music
    25 votes
    The Sylvers were a popular R&B/soul and disco family group during the 1970s. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, the family would later relocate to Watts, California.
  • Toad the Wet Sprocket
    89

    Toad the Wet Sprocket

    Rock music, Folk rock, Alternative rock
    34 votes
    Toad the Wet Sprocket is an American alternative rock band formed in 1986. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss. They had chart success in the 1990s with singles which included "Walk on the Ocean", "All I Want", "Something's Always Wrong", and "Fall Down" . The band broke up in 1998 to pursue other projects but in 2006 began touring the United States as a band in small-venue, short-run tours each summer. In December 2010, the band announced their official reunion as a full-time working band and started writing songs for their first studio album of new material since their 1997 Columbia Records release Coil. The album, New Constellation, was released on October 15, 2013.
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  • The Muffs
    90

    The Muffs

    Pop punk, Rock music, Punk rock
    29 votes
    The Muffs are an American punk rock band based in Southern California, formed in 1991. Led by singer and guitarist Kim Shattuck, the band released four full-length studio albums in the 1990s, as well as numerous singles including "Lucky Guy" and "Sad Tomorrow", and a cover version of "Kids in America". After a long hiatus beginning in 1999, the band released a fifth album in 2004 but thereafter effectively disbanded. Almost a decade later, the three core members of the band reunited and started performing again. An album, Whoop Dee Doo, was released in 2014.
  • Alien Ant Farm
    91

    Alien Ant Farm

    Nu metal, Rock music, Rapcore
    27 votes
    Alien Ant Farm is an American rock band that formed in Riverside, California, United States, in 1996. They have released five studio albums, and have sold over 5 million units worldwide. The band is best known for their cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal", which topped the Billboard alternative songs charts in 2001.They released their debut album Greatest Hits independently in 1999, then signed to DreamWorks Records in 2000. Their second album ANThology was released in 2001 and has been certified platinum by the RIAA, selling over one million copies and reaching 11th on the Billboard 200. Following up that was their third album, TruANT, released in 2003. The album was produced by brothers Robert and Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots, and made it to 42 on the Billboard 200. In 2005 the band recorded the next album 3rd Draft, however the album's release was denied by the label after Geffen bought out DreamWorks. It was eventually released in 2006 as Up in the Attic, charting at 114th on the Billboard 200. After several years of sporadic touring, the band's fifth studio album Always and Forever was released in February 2015.
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  • Faster Pussycat
    92

    Faster Pussycat

    Glam metal, Industrial metal, Industrial rock
    28 votes
    Faster Pussycat is an American glam metal band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1986. The group was most successful during the late 1980s with their self-titled debut album, their 1989 gold album Wake Me When It's Over and the 80,000 selling Whipped! in 1992.
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  • Eagles of Death Metal
    93

    Eagles of Death Metal

    Blues-rock, Rock music, Garage rock
    29 votes
    Eagles of Death Metal is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, formed in 1998 by Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme, who are the only permanent members of the band, though Homme rarely plays live shows because of commitments to other bands. There are also a wide range of other musicians that play under the Eagles of Death Metal moniker, both on the albums and in live shows, frequently under humorous aliases. Despite their band name, Eagles of Death Metal is not a death metal band. Hughes stated that a friend was introducing Josh Homme to the death metal genre. When he played a song by the Polish band Vader and made a claim that the song was within the death metal genre, Homme then referred to Vader as "The Eagles of Death Metal". After hearing this phrase, he wondered what a cross between the Eagles and a death metal band would sound like. In a 2003 interview Homme described the sound of the band as a combination of "bluegrass slide guitar mixed with stripper drum beats and Canned Heat vocals." Jesse Hughes is known for his enthusiastic interaction with audiences at live performances.
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  • Goldfinger
    94

    Goldfinger

    Pop punk, Ska punk, Alternative rock
    32 votes
    Goldfinger is an American punk rock and ska punk band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1994. In their early years the band is widely considered to have been a contributor to the movement of third-wave ska, a mid-1990s revitalization in the popularity of ska. However, the releases of Open Your Eyes and Disconnection Notice saw the band shed most of the ska influence, and they have been more commonly placed in the punk rock genre in later years. Apart from the band's music, Goldfinger is also noted for their political activism, particularly in the area of animal rights.
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  • Tonic
    95

    Tonic

    Rock music, Acoustic music, Pop rock
    32 votes
    Tonic is an American rock band that has earned two Grammy nominations to date. The band was formed in 1993 by Emerson Hart and Jeff Russo. Later members have included Dan Lavery, Kevin Shepard, Pierce Bowers and Dan Rothchild. Signed to a recording contract in 1995, the band released its debut album Lemon Parade in 1996. The single "If You Could Only See" reached No. 11 on the Billboard Airplay Hot 100, and Lemon Parade itself reached platinum status. Tonic spent much of the next two years touring, adding to its reputation as a relentlessly gigging band. In addition to extensive touring Tonic produced other work, including songs for feature film soundtracks. After self-producing its 1999 album Sugar, Tonic released its third album Head on Straight in 2002. Tonic received two Grammy nominations from Head on Straight, including one for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Take Me As I Am", and one for Best Rock Album. The band then went on hiatus beginning in 2004 while its members pursued other musical endeavors.
  • Echosmith
    96

    Echosmith

    Indie pop, Pop music, Alternative rock
    22 votes
    Echosmith is an American rock and indie pop band formed in February 2009 from Toluca Lake, Los Angeles. The band is composed of four siblings: Graham, Sydney, Noah, and Jamie Sierota. Echosmith signed to Warner Bros. Records in May 2012. They are best known for their hit song "Cool Kids", which reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified double platinum by the RIAA with over 1,200,000 sales in the United States and double platinum also by ARIA in Australia. The band's debut album, Talking Dreams, was released on October 8, 2013.
  • The Crystal Method
    97

    The Crystal Method

    Electronic music, Alternative dance, Electronic dance music
    25 votes
    The Crystal Method is an American electronic music act formed in Las Vegas, Nevada by Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland in the early 1990s. Like Jym and others, they were pioneers of the big beat genre. The Crystal Method's music has appeared in numerous TV shows, films, video games, and advertisements. Their debut studio album Vegas was certified platinum in 2007, and saw follow-ups Tweekend, Legion of Boom, Divided by Night, and The Crystal Method. In 2017, Ken Jordan retired from music and left the group, with Scott Kirkland adopting The Crystal Method as a solo moniker.
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  • Con Funk Shun
    98

    Con Funk Shun

    Contemporary R&B, Rhythm and blues, Soul music
    26 votes
    Con Funk Shun was an American R&B and funk band popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Influences include James Brown and Sly & the Family Stone.
  • Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
    99

    Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

    Country pop, Folk rock, Neo-psychedelia
    24 votes
    Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is an American indie folk band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2007. Led by lead vocalist Alex Ebert, the group features a revolving lineup of up to 12 people. The band's name is based on a story Ebert wrote about a messianic figure named Edward Sharpe. Drawing from roots rock, folk, gospel, and psychedelic music, the band's image and sound evoke the hippie movement of the 1960s and 1970s. The group's first show was played July 18, 2007 at The Troubadour in West Hollywood, California. Their first studio album, Up from Below, was released on July 7, 2009 on Community Records and featured the popular single "Home". Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros released their second full-length album, Here, on May 29, 2012. Their third album, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, was released on July 23, 2013.
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  • The Bird and the Bee
    100

    The Bird and the Bee

    Indie pop, Synthpop, Shoegazing
    24 votes
    The Bird and the Bee (stylized as the bird and the bee) is an American indie pop musical duo from Los Angeles, consisting of Inara George ("the bird") and Greg Kurstin ("the bee"). Kurstin—a seven time Grammy Award winning producer and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with artists including Sia, Adele, Beck, Kendrick Lamar, and the Foo Fighters. George and Kurstin met while the two were working on her debut album and they decided to collaborate on a jazz-influenced electropop project. Their debut EP, Again and Again and Again and Again, was released on October 31, 2006, followed by their self-titled debut album on January 23, 2007.
  • Redd Kross
    101

    Redd Kross

    Pop punk, Rock music, Power pop
    25 votes
    Redd Kross is an American alternative rock band from Hawthorne, California, who had their roots in 1978 in a punk rock band called the Tourists, which was started by brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald while they were still in middle school. With the addition of friends Greg Hetson and John Stielow on drums, the band's first gig was opening for Black Flag.
  • Hunx and His Punx
    102

    Hunx and His Punx

    Bubblegum pop, Pop music, Queercore
    22 votes
    Hunx and His Punx is an American punk band from San Francisco, California. Hunx, real name Seth Bogart, started the band in 2008 after years of performing in a gay pop group called Gravy Train!!!! The group's sound has been compared to girl groups and is a mix of punk and bubblegum music. The band played its first national tour of the United States alongside Jay Reatard and Nobunny in 2009. The band officially released its debut singles compilation album Gay Singles in 2010 on True Panther Sounds in the US and Born Bad in France. Hunx used to co-own 'Down At Lulu's', a hair salon in Oakland, California, but sold it in 2011. In January 2010, Hunx began a tour featuring an all-girl backing band. The new line-up has been identified on the tour and in new songs such as "Lovers Lane" as Hunx and His Punkettes. In March 2010, the band played in a tribute concert for the recently deceased Jay Reatard. In May 2010, LensCrafters began airing a commercial featuring a short audio clip of "Gimmie Gimmie Back Your Love." In October 2010, Hunx and His Punx signed to Hardly Art. The band's debut album for the label, Too Young to Be in Love, was released in April 2011.
  • Orgy
    103

    Orgy

    Synthpunk, Nu metal, Synthpop
    23 votes
    Orgy is an American rock band formed in 1994, from Los Angeles, California. Orgy described their industrial rock music as "death pop". The band is best known for their cover version of the New Order song "Blue Monday" and their hit song "Stitches" both from their 1998 album Candyass.
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  • Brian Jonestown Massacre
    104

    Brian Jonestown Massacre

    12 votes
  • Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards
    105

    Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards

    Pop punk, Street punk, Punk rock
    28 votes
    Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards were an American street punk band formed to release the songs that Lars had written. Their songs include subject matter consisting of drinking, fighting, drugs, sex, prostitutes, gangs, and street life. They are the side project band of Lars Frederiksen from Rancid. The band members are Lars Frederiksen, Gordy Carbone, Jason Woods, aka Big Jay Bastard, Craig Leg and Scott Abels. While Craig did not appear on the first album, he has always been a touring member of the band. The band was formed after Lars' friend and bandmate in Rancid, Tim Armstrong suggested writing songs about Lars and his friend Ben growing up in Campbell, California. The band was then put together as an outlet to release these songs, as well as covers of Billy Bragg's "To Have and to Have Not", Holland-Dozier-Holland's "Leaving Here". This first album was named Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards. Lars and Tim then got together to write the second Bastards album, Viking, this time the focus being more on Lars' recent life after having "got outta Campbell". The album also included cover versions of The Blasters' "Marie, Marie" and the Anti-Nowhere League's "For You".
  • Eels
    106

    Eels

    Experimental rock, Alternative rock, Indie rock
    25 votes
    Eels (often typeset as eels or EELS) is an American rock band, formed in California in 1995 by singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mark Oliver Everett, known by the stage name E. Band members have changed across the years, both in the studio and on stage, making Everett the only official member for most of the band's work. Eels' music is often filled with themes about family, death, and lost love. Since 1996, Eels has released twelve studio albums, seven of which charted in the Billboard 200.
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  • Brett Dennen
    107

    Brett Dennen

    Folk music
    22 votes
    Brett Michael Dennen (born October 28, 1979) is an American folk/pop singer and songwriter from Central California. His sixth studio album, Por Favor, was released in May 2016.
  • Saint Motel
    108

    Saint Motel

    Indie pop, Alternative rock, Indie rock
    22 votes
    Saint Motel is an American progressive pop band from Los Angeles, whose music has been described as everything from "dream pop" to "indie prog". The band consists of A/J Jackson, Aaron Sharp aka "a sharp", Dak, and Greg Erwin.
  • Dirty Sanchez
    109

    Dirty Sanchez

    Gothic rock, Rock music, Electroclash
    22 votes
    Dirty Sanchez is an electroclash band that was formed in Los Angeles in 2001 and includes Jackie Beat, Mario Diaz and DJ Barbeau. Dirty Sanchez has a very strong following on the West Coast, playing to full houses and has also toured the East Coast with Thrill Kill Kult.
  • Cause & Effect
    110

    Cause & Effect

    Synthpop, Electronic music, Electronica
    20 votes
    Cause & Effect is an American electronic/synthpop band.
  • Betty Blowtorch
    111

    Betty Blowtorch

    Punk rock
    20 votes
    Betty Blowtorch was an all-female American hard rock band from Southern California.
  • Dum Dum Girls
    112

    Dum Dum Girls

    Indie pop, Indie, Dream pop
    20 votes
    Dum Dum Girls is an American rock band, formed in 2008. It began as the bedroom recording project of lead singer and songwriter Dee Dee Penny in Los Angeles. She is currently based in New York City. The name is a double homage to The Vaselines' album Dum Dum and the Iggy Pop song "Dum Dum Boys". Many people believe Dee Dee Penny's stage name was inspired by Dee Dee Ramone but she has stated this isn't true. The band is managed by Scott Cohen and Richard Gottehrer.
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  • Bang Tango
    113

    Bang Tango

    Glam metal, Rock music, Funk metal
    18 votes
    Bang Tango is an American funk-infused hard rock and Alternative metal band. The band was formed in 1987 in Los Angeles, California and was signed to MCA Records the same year.
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