Seattle Subsonic

The Era of the ‘New Hair Band’ – Top Beards of 2008

December 12th, 2008

Here we are in the ‘oughts’, a full new millennium, and we’re still in the midst of the Hair Band. Only this time, instead of the hair being teased, crimped, feathered, bedazzled, bandanna-ed and accompanied by man-scara, it has migrated south – to the chin. Though this New Hair Band might run a little short on the glam-guitar  of 80’s and 90’s but what it lacks in face melting solos, it more than makes up for in jangles and finger pickin’. But the hippies are far from the only ones hoppin’ on this bristly hay-ride. The trail has been cut and parted by rockers, hip-hoppers and the folksters alike. as I see it, this is an evolution that seems to take hold of a band as they begin to tour on a regular basis. The first time I saw Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, he was a shiny-faced virtuoso. The next time, a little scruffy lookin’ then he was hidden behind a huge man mask and virtually unrecognizable. (Dare I blame Chuck Norris…?)
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Now while it seems like the keratin cultivation duties are primarily held by a band’s front man, it’s not an exclusive position. TV on the Radio’s guitarist and backing vocalist, Kyp Malone is a furry champion when it comes to hair farming. His explanation for the ever increasing plantation above (and upon) his shoulders: “I’m done with cool. I’ve been done with cool for years,” Au contraire, Kyp, you epitomize cool. You just don’t know it yet, as you’ll what I mean below…
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So without further adieu, here’s my list of the best beards of 2008!

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15 Jeff Tweedy – Wilco
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14 Mark Everett – Eels
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13 Scott McMicken – Dr Dog
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12 Barfly – The Saturday Knights
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11 Pete Quirk – Cave Singers
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10 Jim James – My Morning Jacket
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9 Robin Pecknold – Fleet Foxes
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8 Doug Martsch – Built to Spill
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7 Ben Bridwell – Band of Horses
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6 Tim Harrington – Les Savy Fav
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5 RA Scion – Common Market
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4 Dan Auerbach – Black Keys
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3 Sam Beam – Iron and Wine
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2 Devendra Bernhadt
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1 Kyp Malone – TV on the Radio – Our Hairy Hero
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