Chris DeLine

Originally founded as a trio in 1986, Big Head Todd and the Monsters have since proven to be one of the longest tenured workhorses in independent music. Despite not having a single chart-topper in more than a decade, the blues-influenced rockers continue to achieve tremendous success on the road, heavily leaning on the idea that they are first and foremost a touring band. Firm evidence of this came with the release of 2007’s All the Love You Need, when the band mailed some 25,000 copies to fans at no cost, in addition to offering the album as a free download via their website. “We want to get our new music out to as many people as possible,” said the band in a statement following the album’s release. No wonder it has gained such an extensive fan base, despite little conventional commercial success in the past 10-plus years. With Former Sun 60 vocalist Joan Jones. 18+.

[This critics’ pick was originally published by City Pages.]