The Architects

When the Kansas City, Missouri-based ska revival band the Gadjits shifted to loud rock & roll that Soul Asylum and Bad Religion would envy, they changed their name to the Architects and added guitarist Mike Alexander to the lineup. With Alexander on board, the three Phillips brothers -- vocalist/guitarist Brandon, bassist Zach, and drummer Adam -- released Keys to the Building on the Anodyne label in 2004. After supporting the record by touring, the band returned in 2006 with Revenge, a raw, gritty album recorded in four days that captured the energy of their powerful live shows. Vice followed in May 2008. ~ David Jeffries