Get to know your local bands

A modern-day group to check out for fans of the '90s Tempe sound.

The band's self-described “desert rock” sound focuses on a gritty brand of rock, with lyrics taking influence from living in the desert.

The Tempe band has solidified itself as one of the most well-known indie bands in the local scene.

The whitest funk band you'll ever see.

A catchy Valley standout that will have you dancing in seconds and wishing you were on the beach.

One of the longest-running metal bands in the Valley and brings a melodic touch to the death metal scene.

They're one of the youngest bands repping Phoenix on the national scene.

Don't be fooled by the horns. Captain Squeegee's no ska band, channeling rock-opera melodies into an experimental, complex sound.

Going to a show is a communal experience filled with dancing, clapping and making friends.

Aurele is a progressive-rock band that tiptoes the line between metal and electronic.

The fun Phoenix band shows off its Western roots with a dirty rock sound.

The band's sound has traces of Deftones, Puddle of Mudd and Godsmack that it makes its own.

This group's goal is to create a futuristic metal sound that combines various styles.

The members of Leaf are influenced by everything from Latin to cabaret to death metal styles.

None of the members of the Maine is even old enough to drink, but the band is one of the most popular in the Valley.

Rap mixed with rock that's way better than Limp Bizkit.

Not quite as hard as the country-tinged Kid Rock, but scruffier than Limbeck.

Gritty post-grunge alternative pop with anthemic choruses, urgent vocals and minimal power-trio instrumentation.

A fun punk band with a twist—singer Yo Yamakawa's Japanese accent makes them stand out.

A band with a great sense of humor (both with lyrics and in their name) that brings the blues to urban Phoenix.

Evan Brightly describes the band as art rock.

Groove-based rock and roll with heavy roots in old-school funk and a small hint of jazz.

Squeaky clean image and layered sounds that go beyond basic pop.

Many bands hate being classified into lame genres, but Tierra del Fuego is adamant about living outside the musical box.

Get to know this phoenix screamo band.

This Show Low indie-pop band has a lot of fans in the Valley and have nearly 10,000 MySpace fans.

Motivational party noise/post hip-hop electronica.

Genre-mashing ADD rock—or 'eccentric rock and roll'.

Lead singer Mike Busse describes the band's sound: "Our music sounds like Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen believing in one thing at the same time."

When describing the band, vocalist Stefan Pruett says, "Crazy. Ridiculous. Outlandish. Eccentric (that's a big one) . . ."

Scary Kids caught the attention of the mainstream music world quickly and is signed to RCA Records.

The band's MySpace page lists it as classical, but it's hard to pin this band down.

Naughty power pop music that might seem kid-friendly but will make your mom blush.