The Dead Weather

Not sated by the success of their other gigs, the members of the Dead Weather first came together for an on-the-fly jam session in early 2009. From there, the synergy sizzled, and a new group of alt-rock heavyweights was born. Between the lot is a lengthy resume: Jack White is also leader of the White Stripes and the Raconteurs, not to mention an avid collaborator; Alison Mosshart offers her gritty howls as frontwoman for the Kills; Jack Lawrence plays an array of instruments plus bass guitar for the Raconteurs and the Greenhornes; and Dean Fertita lends his guitar and keyboard skills to bands like Queens of the Stone Age. With the Dead Weather, the prolific White proves his diverse skills, taking on drumming duties along with some guitar and vocals, while Mosshart, with her sly, suggestive rasp, leads her male charges through raw, bluesy garage rock inspired by classic-rock titans like Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin. The band took no time getting its music out to the public, releasing its debut album, Horehound, in July 2009.