My Top 8: Flobots

This week we continue our My Top 8 series with Flobots.

Prior into delving into the Boulder, Colo., band's MySpace Top 8, we first reference the "Influences" section of the site. Few other bands can namecheck the Roots, Bach and Tool in one breath, but if anybody is allowed, this patchwork troupe is. They have the beats, a string section, and a hard-rock bent that appeals to a wide enough berth of people to put them onto our Heatseekers chart with their newest "Fight With Tools" (Universal Republic), peaking at No. 12 thus far.

The band also rolled out their video premiere for the track "Handlebars" at the URepublic Web site this week.

Below, emcee Jonny 5 tells us who is in the band's Top 8 and why:

1. Flobots Street Team:
Our street team is different. We're looking for people who want to do voter registration and get active in their community...

2. Born in The Flood
One of Colorado's most respected and talented bands...

3. Basementalism
A mainstay of the Colorado underground hip-hop scene and supporter of ours since the beginning...

4. Heyday
Lovable and talented. Also they bought a trailor and vlogged about when it broke on the highway.

5. The Littleague
Our friend Neil is a respected Denver emcee who put together a genuinely dope hip-hop album for kids.

6. APOSTLE
This emcee/activist, founder of the Colorado Hip-Hop Coalition, helped inspire and encourage our model of music-based activism.

7, Bop Skizzum
If bands are significant others, this band is guitarist Andy's decadelong pre-flobots love.

8. Paper Bird
Prepare to be swept away by these amazing ladies and the textures this band lays down