Shriekback

With members who link back to such New Wave luminaries as XTC and Gang of Four, it was no surprise that Shriekback were able to successfully combine artistic leanings with a smooth New Wave sheen. Part club dance, part Funk, part experimental, the band broke onto early alternative radio in 1985 with "Nemesis." The following year's release of Big Night Music was a more soulful experiment and contained another early alt-rock staple -- "Gunning for the Buddha," a song that showcased their telltale dark rhythms and disarmingly relaxed melodies. The band continued to release records throughout the '90s, although none captured the same fusion of New Wave/Funk that propelled both them and other artists like Gang of Four in the '80s.