Nine Inch Nails: I first became aware of Nine Inch Nails a decade ago when I started buying Kerrang around the time that they put out The Hand That Feeds, which is one of my favourite songs of theirs. Over the years I've listened to them a little more,
Nancy Sinatra: Nancy is one of the artists I've listened to most over the last couple of years, she's so versatile. Her songs go from the sweet, like 'Sugar Town', through feminist hits like 'These Boots Are Made For Walkin'' to sad songs like 'Bang Bang My Baby Shot Me Down'. My favourites are the duets she recorded with Lee Hazlewood, especially 'Some Velvet Morning', which is beautiful and unsettling.
Operation Ivy: I don't know a whole lot of Operation Ivy songs, not that there are many, but 'Knowledge' is basically my national anthem.
Olivia Newton-John: I don't have many O artists and I had to look at my iTunes to find one, but I chose Olivia because I went through a big Grease phase when I was young (doesn't every girl?) and I still love listening to the soundtrack.
Panic! At The Disco: I was really into Panic! when their first and second albums came out and though I've kind of lost track of their more recent material I still listen when I can. It doesn't matter how long it's been since I've last listened to it, the words to the songs on A Fever You Can't Sweat Out seem to be burned into my memory for all time.
Paramore: I almost chose PVRIS here because I think they're amazing too but when I consider how many times I've listened to the last Paramore album I had to pick them instead. I've always liked Paramore but their self-titled blew me away; I love the aesthetic of the 'Still Into You' video and the variety of sounds on the album, especially the soul of 'Ain't It Fun' and the cute ukulele sound of the interludes.
Quiet Riot: I had to go back into my iTunes to find Q artists since they're few and far between. I had a glam metal phase a few years ago and listened to their version of Cum On Feel The Noize a lot so they're probably my favourite of all the Q artists there are.
Queen Latifah: I've bought one of Queen Latifah's albums and not had time to listen to it yet, although I'm sure it'll be rad. Until then I have to give props to her performance in Chicago.
Refused: I'll lose points for this but I've never actually listened to The Shape Of Punk To Come even though I know how influential it is. I did download 'Liberation Frequency' and 'New Noise' about a year ago though and neither of them have come off my playlist since then, so I really should move Refused up my list of priorities!
The Runaways: The Runaways are so important to me, I love their albums and their solo work and the movies about them. My favourite is Lita even though she has a reputation for being a bitch, but her guitar work on 'Neon Angels On The Road To Ruin' is too good to argue against. I love Cherie Currie's voice and their whole persona, although I'm not a huge Joan Jett fan.
The Smiths: Morrissey came to play in my little home town in 2011 and I never went but after that I started listening to The Smiths and I've regretted missing the show ever since. His lyrics combined with the music of Johnny Marr are just magical and I love to listen to them. My favourite album is The Queen Is Dead, it has moments of joy like 'Vicar In A Tutu', heartwrenching songs like 'I Know It's Over', and the classic 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out'.
Siouxsie & The Banshees: After being hooked on their cover of 'Dear Prudence' I started exploring the Banshees' back catalogue and discovered so many great goth songs. Siouxsie is a cultural icon and she completely deserves the hype.
Taking Back Sunday: As a teenage emo I've been interested in Taking Back Sunday since they put out 'MakeDamnSure', but over the last year or so I've been really into their album Tell All Your Friends. The Blackout used to cover a snippet of 'You Know How I Do' within my favourite of their songs so it makes me emotional every time.
Taylor Swift: I used to think Taylor Swift was a bit average until she put out 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together', and then when 'Shake It Off' was released I was confused again. I quickly got over it though and I've played the singles from 1989 on repeat all year, she's great.
U.S.U.R.A.: I only have 2 U artists on my iPod and I only know one song by this artist, the 1993 hit 'Open Your Mind'. It's a dance song that kind of sounds like what I imagine being on drugs is like, repetitive and a bit sinister. I found it while listening to the chart music from the year I was born, along with a whole lot of other great cheesy Eurodance which is my guilty (although I feel no guilt) pleasure.
Uffie: I can't remember where I first heard 'Ready To Uff' but I've been obsessed with it for years and years and I don't get how Uffie isn't as huge as Nicki Minaj.
The Vaccines: V is another letter I struggled with. I don't know many of The Vaccines' songs but I heard 'Teenage Icon' on a whole lot of playlists and eventually learned to love it.
The Velvet Underground: When I first heard Nico's voice I hated it but at the same time I wanted to hear more. My dad has all their albums on cassette and I'm glad because it means I can listen to 'Femme Fatale' while I read books on Warhol and Edie Sedgwick who I find fascinating.
When Reason Sleeps: I bought this band's EP on eBay because it was Sean Smith's band before The Blackout got big, and it's a weird set of songs. Some of them have completely unnecessary outros (one track is half an hour long and most of it is just the band messing about in the studio) and it's obvious that they just want to be Glassjaw or Lostprophets. However there's one acoustic song called 'The Glass Curtain' that I absolutely adore, so the purchase was worth it for that alone.
Whitney Houston: I love 80s music and Whitney is one of the most important singers of the decade. 'How Will I Know' is maybe my favourite but she had so many great hits that it's hard to say for sure; I wish she was still around.
XTRMST: XTRMST is the straight edge hardcore band put together by Davey and Jade from AFI who unexpectedly appeared last year with a stunning EP and then an album. I listen to their cassette whenever I'm pissed off and although it really forces the straight edge thing which I sometimes feel is too much I think they're amazing.
X-Ray Spex: It's a shame that Poly Styrene isn't still with us because she's a punk icon and I find stories about her so interesting. Germfree Adolescents is a great album which sounds like it could come out now and still be just as innovative.
Young Guns: I've been able to see Young Guns a few times and I think they're one of the best British bands around so I'm glad that they're doing so well in the USA. All three of their albums are excellent so if you're not already listening to them I'd definitely recommend you look them up.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: I don't listen to this band much anymore but Y artists are hard to come by! Karen O is really exciting to watch and I loved their song 'Cheated Hearts' when it came out.
Zedd: I heard 'Clarity' in a shop and had no idea what it was but I went home and searched the lyrics until I found it. After that he put out 'Stay The Night' with Hayley Williams, a song I was completely obsessed with, and 'Break Free' with Ariana Grande who I mentioned last week. I'm looking forward to seeing which of my other favourites he'll collaborate with.
Zola Jesus: I heard the song 'Night' on a goth playlist and adored it. I don't know many other Zola Jesus songs but if they're all that good than I'm definitely a fan.
The 1975: I think this band are kind of overrated and I don't love all their songs, but 'Sex' is incredible so I still count myself as a fan of theirs.
2Unlimited: This is another group from my '93 Eurodance phase, and probably my favourite of the lot. I know it was a big hit that I'm just too young to remember but when I heard 'No Limit' for the first time I was amazed by how great it was. I also love 'Tribal Dance' and I'm kind of sad that this isn't the music that clubs play in 2015.
So there it is, my full alphabet of favourite artists. If I've left any glaring omissions let me know!
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