Keith Buckley, Vocals: 

“Loser” by Beck
This was the first piece of absurdist literature I ever read and it would change the way I thought about lyrics. That perspective shift would come in handy later on in life.

“Semi-Charmed Kinda Life” by Third Eye Blind
Finding out this song was about a drug overdose was like finding porn in the woods. It made it feel dirty, like something that should be kept a secret. But the fact that such shame was hidden behind inarguably one of the catchiest “non-choruses” of that era and have millions of people singing along taught me a very important lesson: Nobody gives a shit about lyrics.  

“Creep” by Radiohead
I liked this for the same reason Radiohead hates it: “That stupid guitar sound.” I also bought the cassette single on the morning of my first boob touch which would take place later that day in a field. 

“Head Like a Hole” by Nine Inch Nails
When I was like 14 NIN came to the Aud and me and some friends snuck out “Adventures In Babysitting” style to go into the city and sleep outside of Record Theater on Main Street to get tickets before they sold out. That was a headline event in my youth and this song was my favorite of theirs. It was dark and vague and sexy. Just like me. A 14-year-old boy living in West Seneca. 

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
Real. Mosh.

Honorable mentions: ”Mr. Jones” by Counting Crows, “Plush” by Stone Temple Pilots, “Even Flow” by Pearl Jam.

 Steve Micciche, Bass Guitar: 

“Thank You” by Descendents
The best punk rock band of all time on their comeback record Everything Sucks in 1996. The last track “Thank You” was the anthem for my entire senior year of high school.

“In The Meantime” by Spacehog
Most people don’t jam anything else from this band much more past this song, and honestly you don’t really have to. They wrote one of the coolest bass lines on this track. I would have considered retirement after that.

“The Way” by Fastball
It’s a little bit of a bummer when you realize this song is about an elderly couple that vanished on a road trip and were found dead weeks later. What isn’t a bummer is that this song was made because of it. Tony Scalzo’s vocals are fantastic. 

“Big Empty” by Stone Temple Pilots
There was so much talent in this band. This time period of STP, especially, is where they shined. It’s also when movie soundtracks still kicked serious ass.

“Drain You” by Nirvana
I can’t really ignore arguably one of the biggest bands of the 1990s and an influential part of my early teenage years. Our man Cobain had a knack for a great hook.

Honorable mentions: ”Rusty Cage” by Soundgarden, “Breaking Up” by ALL, “J.A.R.” by Greenday.

  Jeff Schaller, Drums: 

“The Ghost at Number One” by Jellyfish
One of the very best bands of any decade ever. This San Fran power-pop group was super overlooked at the time due to debuting in the grunge era but has since developed a rabid fan base since their breakup in 1994. This track comes from their masterpiece, 1993’s Split Milk, an album that rivals Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper’s in production and song content.

“Land of Sunshine” by Faith No More
The second single and lead track off their classic 1992 album Angel Dust—just a ripping powerful tune from front to back. It still sounds fresh and kickass 25 years later. This album and The Real Thing blew my young mind and still do.

“I Miss the Girl” by Soul Coughing
One of the most underatted and unique bands of the entire decade. Mixing beat poetry with drum ‘n’ bass grooves and live sampling. To this day nobody else sounds quite like them and this track off their flawless final record set a tone for their darkest and best album yet. 

“Dopes to Infinity” by Monster Magnet
Caught them for the first time as an opening act to White Zombie (see honorable mentions) at the Continental in 1993 and was blown away by the trippiest, heaviest set of dope rock I’d heard since Sabbath in the 1970s. This title track comes from their magnum opus, 1995’s Dopes to Infinity—20+ years later I still listen to this album religiously.

“Everything You’ve Done Wrong Lately” by Sloan
Great Canadian bands were all over local radio early 1990s and easy to catch live in Buffalo. Very few though were as clever and catchy as Nova Scotia’s Sloan. Still going strong 25 years later this part Motown, part 1960s Brit-pop track could have easily been a lost Stevie Wonder hit.

Honorable mentions: ”Fazer” by Quicksand, “Girlfriend” by Matthew Sweet, “Black Sunshine” by White Zombie.

 Joey Dynamite, Guitar: 

“Stop” by Jane’s Addiction 
This song to this day still really gets me going no matter what mood I’m in.

“Under The Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Hendrix-inspired guitar melody that Frusciante plays makes this a true 1990s anthem.

“Alive” by Pearl Jam
The first Pearl Jam song I ever heard and still one of my favorites from them. And a Soul Patch set standard.

“Cherub Rock” by Smashing Pumpkins
The intro track to one of my top three favorite 1990s albums of all-time, Siamese Dream!

“Cannonball” by The Breeders
Another “top to bottom” album. This album didn’t leave my CD player for an entire year.

Honorable mentions: ”The Bends” by Radiohead, “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden, “Loser” by Beck.

 Jessika Schreiber, Backing Vocals: 

 Nikki Georgiadis, Guitar: 

“Columbia” by Oasis
Reminds me of dancing at brit rock nights in 1996.

“Lovefool” by the Cardigans
That bass line has a nice ass.

“Devils Haircut” by Beck
Why aren’t more songs written in drop D?

“Now My Heart Is Full” by Morrissey
Because it is and has been since 1994.

“Aneurysm” by Nirvana
I love the build and the pain in that mans voice—always struck me as genuine, especially in that song.

Honorable mentions: ”One to Another” by the Charlatans, “Money City Maniacs” by Sloan, “My Name Is Jonas” by Weezer.