Cows

Known as much for their outrageous live shows as their unique brand of skronk rock, the Cows put out some of the most engaging, demented and entertaining Punk of the early 1990s. Closely associated with the Amphetamine Reptile label based in their hometown of Minneapolis, they never stopped punching out hard-charging noise anthems until they broke up in the late '90s. Listening to the Cows is like punching a brick wall -- except for some reason it feels really good. Despite the signature AmRep guitar feedback factor, their songs were often melodic. Charismatic lead singer Shannon Selberg owned whatever stage he found himself on; when he sang or played his trumpet (badly), the rest of the Cows lit up like Christmas. The band came into their own with the classic art punk trio of records Peacetika, Cunning Stunts (1992) and Sexy Pee Story (1993).