My favourite lesser-known band is "Suburban Legends". "UGH... Caity, why do you constantly talk about bands nobody has ever heard of?" I'll tell you why, dear readers... it's because music is made to be shared, to be passed on and beloved by all!

I know that we around here at The Sound Faction constantly talk about lesser-known bands, and interview smaller start-up bands and bands that maybe you have never heard of, and it's for one simple reason... they're a good band, and you should check them out! Crazy concept, I know. A band doesn't need to be selling arenas and hitting any level of fame where they put a disc in a plaque for you to be a great band. So many people keep lesser-known bands to themselves, and even pride themselves on how many bands they know that you don't.

Well I say that's just sillyness. Nothing annoys me more than the kid talking about super obscure music and when you ask about it they spit out rhetoric such as: "It's really obscure, you wouldn't know it." ... I know that... that's why I asked you about it, share won't you? Sometimes really obscure music is the best kind, something new and fresh can be just what your soul needs.

So in the spirit of sharing, I will tell you that my five favourite lesser-known bands are as follows:

Suburban Legends: an Orange County Ska band that blends a mix of traditional ska, rock 'n roll, and some disco funk. I would highly suggest that you check out their record "Rump Shaker" for some classic Suburban Legends tunes, or if you like your ska with a little more funk, check out the record "Infectious" or "Let's Be Friends... And Slay The Dragon Together".

The Fold: a little band out of Chicago that's just starting to get a big foothold in the scene. They put on an amazing show, are totally funny guys and rock it out at the same time. A few of my favourite songs from The Fold would be "Backseat Drivers" and "We've Been At This" from their record "This Too Shall Pass", "New Skeptic" and "Beside You Now" from their record "Secrets Keep You Sick". From their independantly released newest record "Dear Future, Come Get Me" my two favourite songs are "Hold On" and "Neverender".

Making April: This is one of those bands that I happened to have stumbled over on Myspace somehow, and they have stuck with me ever since. They have two records out, "Runaway World" and "The Egg Hunt" both of which are incredible piano-rock albums. Check out the songs "So Bad", "Wide Awake", "These Are The Nights", and "All Of Yours".

Right Away Great Captain: RAGC is the side-project of Manchester Orchestra frontman, Andy Hull. The project is a concept trio of records starting with "The Bitter End", released in 2007. It's a story of a 1600's sailor at sea for three years, each song being a journal entry to his family at home or his captain. (Check out songs: "Oh, Deceiver", "Like Lions Do", and "Right Ahead, Young Sailor!". The second installment was released in 2008, called "The Eventually Home", continuing the story from the first record of the sailor, betrayed by his wife who has committed adultry with his own brother. In this record, the sailor returns home with the intention to kill his wife and brother. (Listen to songs: "What A Pity", "Father Brian Finn", "Memories From A ShorE" and "Oh No, I Tried".) The third and final installment of Right Away Great Captain is yet to be released, but has been slated for a release in 2010, called "The Big Bad Devil and the Great Good God", in which we will finally come to resolution in the story. I highly reccomend thhat you check out the first to records, they are incredible works of art.

Ryanhood: I could either not tell you that I rarely go a day without listening to Ryanhood's record "The World Awaits", and that I have literally listened to "Okay" over 60 times in one sitting once, and that "Alright" feels like a huge warm hug on a summer day from your best friend. Or I could tell you all of those things about the band and maybe you'd like them too.

Don't be jerks... share the music and maybe you'll find some common ground with someone in the process!