When it comes to music, the possibilities are endless. High profile bands are great to listen to, however, there are many smaller bands who have just as much talent. Although they may seem unfamiliar to some, these bands encompass wide ranges of genres besides common alternative music, such as beach goth and psychedelic rock. If you are looking to expand your musical horizons, these bands will do just that.

Wavves – Oxford, MS

Wavves started as a recording project of Nathan Williams, who initially gained recognition for the band’s self-titled cassette Wavves. With the help of drummer Ryan Ulsh, they toured the United States and United Kingdom, catching the eye of Pitchfork Media. After some personnel changes, the final lineup consisted of Williams, bassist Stephen Pope, drummer Billy Hayes and guitarist Alex Gates. In 2010, the rock group released King of the Beach on Fat Possum Records to critical acclaim. Afraid of Heights and V followed.

Genres: Garage rock, Lo-fi music

Album(s): Wavves, Wavvves, King of the Beach, Afraid of Heights, V

Songs: Convertible Balloon, Green Eyes, King of the Beach, Baby Say Goodbye

The Frights – San Diego, CA

The Frights casually began due to summer boredom. The members included Mikey Carnevale, Marc Finn and Richard Dotson. After the conclusion of their senior year in 2012, the band started to record their music in their leisure time. They parted ways for a period of time due to the stress of college and work, however, the band got back together only weeks after the breakup, changing their sound to fit the genre of surf rock. After being signed to Postmark Records, The Frights released their first extended play (EP), Dead Beach. Many other EPs followed until the release of their self-titled full-length album in 2013.

Genre: Surf rock

Album(s): The Frights, You Are Going to Hate This

Songs: C&C, Drag, Cold, She Makes Me

Cherry Glazerr – Los Angeles, CA

Clementine Creevy first began uploading original music to SoundCloud in 2012 under the moniker Clembutt. Later, Creevy enlisted drummer Hannah Uribe, vocalist Sophia Muller and bassist Sean Redman to flesh out what would be known as Cherry Glazerr. After catching the attention of Burger Records, the band released their nine-song cassette Papa Cremp in 2013. One year after working with Yves Saint Laurent creative director Hedi Slimane, the foursome released their debut album Haxel Princess. Muller left prior to the release of their first album, while Uribe left in the middle of 2015, causing guitarist and keyboardist Sasami Ashworth and drummer Tabor Allen to join the rock group.

Genre: Noise-pop, Indie pop/rock

Album(s): Haxel Princess

Songs: Grilled Cheese, Teenage Girl, Had Ten Dollaz, Bloody Bandaid

Wampire – Portland, OR

Wampire was officially created in 2007 in Portland, OR. Both Eric Phipps and Rocky Tinder had been playing music with one another since high school, adding Cole Browning and Owen Thompson later on. After gaining a loyal fanbase for their slightly electronic sound in Portland, the band released their first album Curiosity in 2012. Afterward, the band went on their first world tour. Wampire opened for well-known bands, including Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Foxygen. When Phipps and Tinder returned home from their tour in 2014, they recorded their next album Bazaar and called on Thomas Hoganson to be part of the creative process.

Genre: Alternative

Album(s): Curiosity, Bazaar

Songs: Outta Money, Snacks, Wizard Staff

together PANGEA – Santa Clarita, CA

together PANGEA began when guitarist William Keegan and bassist Danny Bengston met drummer Erik Jimenez at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). After playing various gigs around CalArts and other local venues, the band changed their name from simply Pangea to what is now known as together PANGEA. In 2010, the rock group released their first album Jelly Tapes followed by Living Dummy.

Album(s): Jelly Jam, Living Dummy, Badillac

Genre: Rock

Songs: Awful, Badillac, River

The Growlers – Dana Point, CA

The Growlers originated in Dana Point, CA before settling down in Costa Mesa in Orange County. The band is fronted by Brooks Nielsen, followed by lead guitarist Matt Taylor, drummer Scott Montoya, bassist Anthony Braun Perry and Kyle Straka on keyboard and guitar. They are most notably known for a sound that mirrors Californian 60s rock and are currently classified as beach goth or surf rock. Their theatrical concert performances are often playful and upbeat, which contribute to their music festival vibe.

Album(s): Chinese Fountain, Hung at Heart, Gilded Pleasures

Genres: Garage rock, Psychedelic rock, Surf music

Songs: One Million Lovers, Someday, Chinese Fountain, Dull Boy

Elvis Depressedly –  Asheville, NC

Composed of multi-instrumentalists, Elvis Depressedly was initiated in 2011 by Mat Cothran, who is also the frontman for Coma Cinema, another American indie pop band that originated in 2005. Later on, Delaney Mills joined Cothran to bring his music to life. Elvis Depressedly released their first album in 2011, which was followed by the albums Mickey’s Dead, Holo Pleasures and New Alhambra.

Members: Mat Cothran and Delaney Mills

Album(s): New Alhambra, Holo Pleasures, Mickey’s Dead, Save the Planet Kill Yourself

Genre: Alternative, Indie rock

Songs: Weird Honey, N.M.S.S., Rock ‘N Roll, Bruises (Amethyst),