angel, muse are a fairly fresh English alternative rock band..a cross between Nirvana and Radiohead, although on their latest second album they have all sorts of influences..if you enjoy grunge-alternative rock/pop they are worth checking out..not to everyones taste but they are a promising band who I imagine are going to become a lot bigger
Manic Street Preachers are a great Welsh band. They've been around for a while, I think since 1989 or so. They're extremely political and outspoken. A few years ago (1995), their lyricist/lead guitarist disappeared on the eve of their American tour, and hasn't been seen since. Though I don't agree with their politics, they're a fantastic band that I think everyone should check out. My favourite song by them is "The Everlasting."
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"I don't particularly like myth, but to me mystery is everything." --The Edge
The best Manics-song is No Surface All Feeling, I think. Btw, they were the first band from a "capitalistic" country to have a gig in Havana! Fidel Castro had to admit they were louder than war...