Helmet and Toadies each had its share of hits (the former with "Unsung" and "In the Meantime," the latter with "Possum Kingdom" and "I Come From the Water"), but neither could be defined by its singles alone. Helmet's Morse code riffing slacker metal is fresher today than the crop of Sabbath rehashers — and former drummer John Stanier's gig in Battles isn't hurting the band's cred. Meanwhile, Toadies' oddball Pixies-indebted pop remains as chilling and creepy as ever. While these are not the only bands to benefit from the alternative-rock bubble economy, they are two of the rare survivors.
If Either Band Were Less Awesome: It would be in Marcy Playground's spot opening for Everclear and Sugar Ray.
