Here are just three of the great original St. Louis bands that play around town on a regular basis. Check them out as soon as you can.

Sleep Machine | Sleep Machine is kind of an ironic name for a band that’s as lively and exciting as this one. With its own innovative, heavy sound, Sleep Machine has both a strong, charismatic lead singer and an edgy bassist named 2Shay. Even in the heaviest of songs, he comes off as someone who could easily be playing jazz or funk. When mixed with the great guitar parts and solid drum beats, Sleep Machine’s sound is impossible to resist. At Pop’s last month, the band’s set ended with a surprise ballad, leaving people wanting more.

Blame Gary | It’s easy to become a fan of Blame Gary if you have ever seen them perform live: This five-piece brings a tremendous amount of energy to the stage. The band certainly has no problem writing catchy, up-tempo, modern rock songs. Though the members have varied a bit throughout the group’s history, the band boasts a confident lead singer as well as four solid musicians who put everything they possibly can into their music. Their stage antics are lively, their hooks catchy and appealing.

When Knives Go Skyward | A lot of great bands come out of small towns. Take When Knives Go Skyward, a great name for this four-piece with an edge. This is a super-heavy band with great riffs, hard-hitting chords, and enough explosive energy to send any metal-head to his feet. When lead singer Chad K. screams and performs with intensity, it’s obvious he’s one performer who can certainly hold an audience’s attention.

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