If someone were to ask you who the greatest band of your time was, what would you say?

I myself would be speechless and have no response.  That is just too tough of a question to answer.

To me it is impossible to label just one band being “the greatest band of my time”. Still there are a lot of bands out there I see could hold the title if I had to be forced to make a decision (to each their own of course). With so many genres of music I love along with the tons of artists that have my respect I think I might be able to narrow it down a little, but I know I would be missing out on someone who deserves credit so we shall just call this a sample.

Here are a couple of bands that stand out as great to me and reasons why:

NIN – Since I was a kid I have loved this band. I learned of them freshman year in high school when some lame jock kid found a cassette tape in his locker that was next to mine. He was going to throw it away but decided I was a better target and tossed it at me. It was a copy of Pretty Hate Machine and I remember that day throwing it into my big 4 AA battery of a hog yellow Sony Walkman. I was hooked instantly. It was a new genre for me seeing how I was all about the Beastie Boys and Metallica.  Every album that NIN has released I enjoyed tremendously. I still find it a shame though that it took me over 15 years to see them live… It was amazing though. NIN blew me away and I almost hate myself for missing them live so many times…

Pantera – I was introduced to them thanks to some illegal substance smoking friends back in high school. I was already a fan of metal but there was something about Pantera that just grabbed me. Maybe it was Phil Anselmo’s voice or Vinnie Paul and Dime Bag Darrell’s musical capabilities. They were one of my first live shows and even if some of their beginning albums were hair metal and concluding albums seemed a little weak to me I am still a fan of Cowboys from Hell, Vulgar Display of Power, and Far Beyond Driven.

Faith No More / Mike Patton – Mike Patton is a musical god and I wish to hell Faith No More would group together just for one more last hurrah. Ever since “Epic” was featured on MTV I labeled myself a fan. Throughout the years Faith No More went their own ways and Mike Patton continued his uniqueness in bands like Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk and Peeping Tom. Sure it got a little weird sometimes especially when he worked with jazz experimentalist John Zorn but it still was Mike Patton!

Bjork – Yeah I know…call me what you want but I love Bjork. I did not really appreciate her until I picked up Homogenic. That album changed the way I started to look at music. Perhaps I was growing up but saddening loud metal and screaming bloody murder just did not seem as exciting. Her voice was so depressing in songs yet so happy. It may not make much sense but I know what I like and I love Bjork.

Radiohead – This English rock band is and will always be one of my favorite bands of all time. I rocked out to them since their first album was released. “Creep” grabbed my grunge attention when I was sporting flannels and saying how great Nirvana and Pearl Jam were. As years passed their music became a little too much for some but not for me. I loved OK Computer and Kid A because I found them so unique. I would listen to each album over and over singing along with a smile on my face. That to me is a great band.

NoFX – Drug infused punk rock music since the 80’s who now are successful after capturing pop punk rock at its opening stages. Saying no to commercial radio and MTV the band made their own success literally. The band may not have your top quality musicians but their look on life, politics, and themselves make for one hilarious act.

So that was my small piece. I could change the above six to other bands easily but they were the first that came to mind… Misfits, Iron Maiden, Rolling Stones, Minor Threat, and even Tupac… There are so many other heavy hitting bands/musicians that I could talk about…

What are some bands you consider your greatest band of your time?