Everclear

Everclear formed in Portland, Oregon in 1991 around frontman Art Alexakis. Their 1997 album 'So Much for the Afterglow' included 'Santa Monica,' a song that became their most recognizable track with its mix of melancholy and radio-friendly hooks. That album also had 'I Will Buy You A New Life' and 'Father of Mine,' songs that dealt plainly with money, family, and disappointment.

Alexakis wrote about his own life in those songs, often touching on addiction and fractured relationships. The band's earlier album 'Sparkle and Fade' from 1995 had 'Electra Made Me Blind,' and later they put out 'Learning How to Smile' in 2000. The lineup shifted over time, with Alexakis being the consistent member through records like 'Welcome to the Drama Club' in 2006 and 'Invisible Stars' in 2012.

Their sound was straightforward rock with clear melodies, not particularly heavy or experimental. They had a run in the late '90s and early 2000s where songs like 'AM Radio' and 'Brown Eyed Girl' got played on alternative and rock stations. The music held a specific place for listeners who connected with Alexakis's direct, sometimes autobiographical lyrics about trying to get by.