Band: Badly Drawn Boy
The deal: Badly Drawn Boy is the stage moniker of British singer/songwriter Damon Gough, who plays a quiet, intellectual style of folk similar to that of Nick Drake.
Fun fact: A fan of Gough’s music, author Nick Hornby asked him to score the film adaptation of his novel “About a Boy.”
Tougher than: Belle and Sebastian
But not as tough as: Elliott Smith

Band: Beach Boys
The deal: Formed in Hawthorne, California, three brothers, their cousin and a friend, revolutionized pop music in the 1960s with their sunny vocal harmonies and songs about the Southern California beach lifestyle.
Fun fact: Paul McCartney has boasted that the Beach Boys’ 1966 masterpiece “Pet Sounds” was the inspiration for the Beatles’ “Sgt. Peppers.”
Tougher than: “Laguna Beach”
But not as tough as: “The O.C.”

Band: Beastie Boys
The deal: Influential trio of White, Jewish rappers from New York City who applied their love of punk rock to their unique brand of hip-hop.
Fun fact: Beastie was originally intended to mean “Boys Entering Anarchistic States Towards Inner Excellence.”
Tougher than: Marky Mark
But not as tough as: Eminem

Band: Boyz II Men
The deal: Hugely successful singing group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who were proponents of the New Jack Swing movement which blended hip-hop with R&B.
Fun fact: Boyz II Men are the most successful group in the history of Motown Records.
Tougher than: New Edition
But not as tough as: Bad Brains

Band: The Bus Boys
The deal: Five African-Americans and a Hispanic dude from Los Angeles who parlayed jokey, ethnic stereotypes into minor rock & roll success.
Fun fact: Appeared in the 1982 Eddie Murphy film “48 Hours”
Tougher than: “Weird Al” Yankovic
But not as tough as: Mojo Nixon

Band: Dead Boys
The deal: New York City via Cleveland, Ohio punk band famous for their anthem “Sonic Reducer.”
Fun fact: Leader Stiv Bators purposefully sung away from the mic during the recording of a live performance that was to be issued as a contractual obligation to their record company.
Tougher than: The Sex Pistols
But not as tough as: The Stooges

Band: The Fat Boys
The deal: Originally known as the Disco 3, this Brooklyn, New York trio was one of early rap’s most successful acts.
Fun fact: The trio’s combined weight was over 750 lbs.
Tougher than: Kid ‘n Play
But not as tough as: The Notorious B.I.G.

Band: Fun Boy Three
The deal: Multi-racial New Wave trio formed by ex-Specials singer Terry Hall.
Fun fact: Hall co-wrote the Top Ten single “Our Lips Are Sealed” with the Go-Gos’ Jane Weidlin.
Tougher than: Ben Folds Five
But not as tough as: MC5

Band: Geto Boys
The deal: Houston, Texas gangsta rap trio known for their ultra-violent lyrics and socially-conscious messages.
Fun fact: Group member Bushwick Bill had has eye shot out by his angry girlfriend.
Tougher than: N.W.A.
But not as tough as: O.J. Simpson

Band: Jerky Boys
The deal: Not really a band, but rather a New York prank phone call duo whose popularity rivaled that of the era’s rock stars.
Fun fact: Certainly the only prank call stars ever to land a major film deal.
Tougher than: Crank Yankers
But not as tough as: Louis “Red” Deutsch

Band: Pet Shop Boys
The deal: Gay-friendly, long-running British synth-pop duo who blend danceable club beats with pop melodies and intelligent lyrics.
Fun fact: In the UK, the group has had 38 top 40 singles.
Tougher than: Wham!
But not as tough as: The White Stripes

Band: Soft Boys
The deal: Psychedelic rock band from Cambridge, England that launched the career of Robyn Hitchcock.
Fun fact: Guitarist Kimberly Rew later formed ’80s one-hit wonders Katrina and the Waves.
Tougher than: Katrina and the Waves
But not as tough as: Dexy’s Midnight Runners

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