Vicky and the Vengents

Vicky and the Vengents' trashy sound is self-described as Malt Shop Rock. The L.A. band is tinged with The Muffs-style pop punk, but the vocals are deeper. Unlike Kim Shattuck—who always kept a sweet tone, even with the best scream in the music business—Vicky Tafoya delivers a harder-edged bite and a scowl in her voice. The band is championed by near-forgotten tastemaker KROQ-FM DJ Rodney Bingenheimer. It covers no new ground, but in these days of thoughtful and too-polite indie bands, the Vegents refreshingly snarls in your face while playing songs for your rock and roll, dance floor pleasure. Think big eyelashes, big hair, Cuban heel boots and tight pencil dresses. (Captain America)