These are the sounds that built now. In 2023, Huntsville, Alabama music’s blowing up, and it feels like the city’s on the verge of finally minting the musical identity it so desires. There’s awesome music being made by rising local bands, and improved platforms to lift that up. But there’s been formidable songs coming from Huntsville for a long time. Below are 15 essential classic tracks from Huntsville artists. For the purposes of this list, we’re going back 10 years or further, all the way back through the ’90s, ’80s, ’70s and ’60s. In addition to doing our own research, AL.com reached out to local music historian Kip Shepherd and Vertical House Records’ Andy Vaughn for ideas for this list. There’s way more than 15 classic Huntsville tracks. These are just some we love. Start here and go out and find more tunes you love too.

“Detention Girls,” Sex Clark Five, 1987

Miniaturized masterpiece: Sex Clark Five‘s fans included legendary BBC deejay John Peel, who’s other faves included these dudes called Led Zeppelin. SC5 zip-filed the might of groups like T. Rex and The Who. SC5′s classic lineup included singer/guitarist James Butler, guitarist Rick Storey, drummer Trick McKaha and bassist Joy Johnson. The jangly, glammy “Detention Girls” is off their debut album “Strum and Drum!” That LP is packed with concise tracks that make Ramones songs seem windy as “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” Sex Clark Five periodically materialize to release new material, like their 2022 EP “Who’s Lunch.” They’re quite possibly the greatest Alabama band you’ve never heard of.

“Relaxin’,” G-Side, 2010

Buzzin’ and ballin’: Released October 2010, “Relaxin’” was the advance single from rap duo G-Side’s “The One…Cohesive,” which ascended to number eight on SPIN’s “50 Best Albums of 2011″ list. G-Side’s magic? The contrasting flow of rappers ST 2 Lettaz and Yung Clova over the Block Beattaz’s interstellar production. G-Side toured and recorded around the world, scored a sync with videogame franchise “Grand Theft Auto,” broke up in 2012, reunited two years later before slipping offscreen. With Huntsville music on the rise, from local to touring, it’s time for G-Side to ride again.

“Road Runner,” Microwave Dave & The Nukes, 1995

Intercontinental boogie: Before “Microwave” Dave Gallaher became a local guitar hero and Huntsville’s signature musician, his band The Nukes made a name for themselves all the way to Europe, during the post Stevie Ray Vaughan blues boom. Their cover of Bo Diddley’s song “Road Runner” even became a surprise hit in France. In 2016, Gallagher told me, “Everybody’s blues stuff was going over to Europe. The interest was huge in modern blues and blues-rock in Europe at that time.” The album Microwave Dave’s “Road Runner” version first appeared on, “Goodnight, Dear,” featured playing from iconic Muscle Shoals studio aces The Swampers, in addition to badassery from Gallaher and The Nukes. Microwave Dave later became a go-to listen for macabre master Stephen King.

“Destination,” Felt, 1972

Black-light explorers: Original pressings of Felt’s debut album can fetch megabucks online from prog/psych obsessives. The band featured singer/guitarist Myke Jackson, keyboardist Allan Dalrymple, guitarist Stan Lee, bassist Tommy Gilstrap and drummer Mike Neel. Felt songs like “Destination” drew from seekers like Yes and King Crimson. Forty years later, Felt reunited to release a sophomore album, 2012′s “Psychedelic Memoirs.”

“Sometimes,” The Porcharitas, 2012

Punk-pop whirlwind: A porcharita is a downhome libation made from beer, tequila, limeade and ice. Huntsville band The Porcharitas shook-and-stirred Go-Go’s, Slits and Sleater-Kinney. In 2012, the band put out a rollicking seven-inch single with three tracks, including “Sometimes,” with siren vox, hypno-riffs and splashing drums. The band’s lineup featured Vertical House Records co-owner Ashley Vaughn (vocals/keys), Ashley Martin (vocals/guitar) and Helen Faulkner (bass/vocals) and Ben Rhyne (drums).

“My Black Angel,” Cancerslug, 2002

Pentagram punk: All hail, Alex Story’s werewolf gravitas. Cancerslug’s frontman is Glenn Danzig’s bastard Southern stepchild. Since Cancerslug’s unholy late ‘90s Huntsville birth, the band’s undergone more than 25 lineup changes, including a potent version with beloved late drummer Mike Horgan. Story’s been the constant poison. In addition to Cancerslug, he also fronts Doyle, a band featuring ex-Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein. Cancerslug’s latest album was “Full Term Abortions,” the feel-good hit of 2022.

“Good Lovin’ At Home,” The Snake Doctors, 1997

Tie-dyed R&B: In the ’90s, The Snake Doctors — driven by Charlie Howell’s lithe vocals, agile guitar and sturdy tunes — were a hot live act. The Snake Doctors’ roots were in R&B. But similar to Steve Windwood’s classic band Traffic, they stretched out songs onstage, thereby gyrating hippie revelers. In addition to Howell, Snake Doctors featured local legend Jim Cavender on bass, keyboard wizard Hugh Messenger, percussionist Darnell Hammond and drummer Matt Foy.

“Get Up Now,” Toy Shop, 2006

English/Southern alchemy: Title track from a live album produced by Johnny Sandlin, known for recording the Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic. Fronted by British brothers Antony (vocals/guitar) and Andrew Sharpe (vocals/keys), Toy Shop patchworked Radiohead, Phish and Fab Four. That version of the band also boasted Matt Ross on bass and Jim Kolachek on drums. Decades later, a recent Toy Shop reunion show stuffed The Bar at 805 with fans who still know their songs by heart.

“If,” Dragmatic, 2001

Soundtrack shimmer: Huntsville’s greatest rock guitarist ever, Dave Anderson, is known for his time with ’90s band Brother Cane and, now, classic-rockers Atlanta Rhythm Section. Lesser known, Anderson’s created music for several TV shows and films. He co-wrote “Style,” sung by local songbird Lacey Atchison, for 2004 Lindsay Lohan film “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.” He worked on USA Network series “The Big Easy,” cranking out new songs on the fly in the style of say Smashing Pumpkins or whatever the show wanted. Anderson assembled the band Dragmatic, whose ranks included bassist Matt Ross, Brother Cane drummer Scott Collier and guitarist Tom Cremeens. Dragmatic excelled at sleek alt-rock. Exhibit A: the song “If,” featured prominently on hit teen drama “Dawson’s Creek.”

“Where’s My Vietnam?,” The Knockabouts, 1983

Cathartic clang: Eighty-five seconds of hardcore-punk fury. Founded by mohawk-sporting singer Donnie Sharp, Huntsville band The Knockabouts landed signature song “Where’s My Vietnam?” on 1983 compilation album “Barricaded Suspects,” issued by California record label Toxic Shock. In 2018, rock/metal mag Kerrang published a “United States of Punk” feature highlighting the best punk bands from all 50 states. The Knockabouts were selected to represent Alabama. Kerrang’s blurb noted the “Where’s My Vietnam?” lyrics, “express panic over living in the rural wasteland of a punk-hostile state.”

“Zombie Harem,” Daikaiju, 2010

Shark-fin soundtrack. Daikaiju is Japanese for “giant monster.” The moniker matches this HSV-founded masked band’s sound and (literally) fiery live show. Surf-rock instrumentals, but with an extra spoonful of rock in the recipe. The track “Zombie Harem,” off Daikaiju’s “Phase 2″ LP, calls to mind Jeff Beck doing his best Dick Dale. Or perhaps the score to vintage Godzilla-themed porn.

“Perforated Black,” Symptom Of Leisure, 1985

Eyeliner skyline: This is haunting, excellent stuff. “Perforated Black” collages Joy Division mope, metallic guitar and glistening Cure-like production. “Perforated Black” is the mic-dropping closer on the Symptom Of Leisure’s self-titled EP. Other goth-tastic song-titles include “Apocalypse (The Locust).” They recorded at Huntsville studio Sound Cell. The band was comprised of Stan Mohlere, guitarist Drew Richter, bassist Bryan Simpson, keyboardist James Moffet and drummer Jeffrey Keagle.

“Just Give Me Time,” The “In,” 1966

Fuzz-guitar flair: The “In” were Bobby Land (lead vocals/organ Eddie Burton (lead guitar/vocals) (Bill Peck (guitar/vocals) and Fred Sanders (bass/vocals). The were all Lee High School students … who apparently got straight-A’s in garage rock. “Nuggets” worthy original “Say What You Mean” was the vastly superior B-side to The “In” cover of “In The Midnight Hour.” The single was via Nashville imprint Hickory Records, whose notable releases include early Donovan singles.

“Say What I Mean,” The Shandells, Inc., 1967

Trippy melodies: Listening to “Say What I Mean,” you can hear why The Shandells, Inc. came close to being on London, the label of early Rolling Stones. The band endured lineup changes, with constants including singer J.R. Barkley, bassist Tim Gray and drummer Terry Barkley, J.R.’s brother. According to beyondthebeatgeneration.com, Shandells, Inc. touchstones included The Zombies and Moody Blues. They wore them well.

“Huntsville Lights,” Bobby Brooks, 1971

Bright lights, Rocket City: Country gem “Huntsville Nights” was the first song Bobby Brooks wrote and recorded. The U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and North Carolina was stationed at Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal when he created the song. According to Brooks’ website, the lyrics “described the true life circumstances concerning the nightlife and music scene in Huntsville Alabama.” The track’s pedal-steel and forlorn lyrics evoke “The Streets of Baltimore,” a country classic cut by everyone from Buck Owens and Charley Pride to Gram Parsons and Uncle Tupelo. In “Huntsville Lights,” Brooks namechecks vintage haunts like the Cotton Club and Peppermint Lounge. Last call for broken hearts.

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