B.R.M.C.
It would be easy to dismiss B.R.M.C. as another bunch of Britpop wannabes. Their amalgam of fuzzed-out vocals and chugging guitars over layers of droning feedback immediately brings to mind theJesus and Mary ChainandPrimal Scream. But the band's wanton attitude easily compensates for its lack of originality. Plucking its name from the Marlon Brando classicThe Wild Oneand digging deep into its weathered copy ofPsycho Candyfor lyrical inspiration, the leather-clad San Francisco trio picks up where Oasis left off--pillaging the past, regurgitating it shamelessly, and making it sound exciting and dangerous in the process. Imagine the sheer audacity that goes into writing a song like "Whatever Happened to My Rock & Roll (Punk Song)"--all Stooges agitation and Beach Boys melodies--and backing it with a blissful Stone Roses homage called "Awake." They're not the best at what they do, but right now they're all we've got.--Jaan Uhelski