Suede

While the rest of Britain were filling out dancefloors doing the Madchester cigarette dance, Suede (or London Suede in America) brought Britpop to the forefront with three-minute choons and Bowie-esque foppery. Though several songs ("Metal Mickey," "Animal Nitrate," and "The Drowners") were already popular U.K. singles, Suede rang in a new era with its sexually ambiguous cover -- coupled with singer Brett Anderson's renowned "bisexuality" -- and glammy guitar-rock. While Oasis and Blur would become Britpop's biggest, they both owe Suede a pint for starting it all here.