The Gorillas

All sorts of U.K. subcultures intersect right here. Britain's skinheads became the longer haired suedeheads who then evolved into the more outrageously dressed pre-glam smoothies. The Gorillas (AKA The Hammersmith Gorillas) were the product of this weird, short-lived movement, but their sound was rooted in singer Jesse Hector's hard rock band Crushed Butler (dig the updated "My Son's Alive") and the rootsy power pop sound of pub rock. Skip their sloppy cover of "Foxy Lady" (why did Brit rockers always try to contend with Hendrix?) and you have an album that actually sounds as awesome as it looks.