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Multi-instrumentalist Andrew Broder began making eccentric music as Fog and hooked up with the British label Ninja Tune. Born in Minneapolis, MN, where he continued to reside, Broder turned to music as an escape from the outside world. He confined himself to his basement and learned several instruments while simultaneously taking an interest in the escapist aspects of hip-hop. Eventually, after growing ill and dropping out of school, Broder dedicated himself to music, crafting eccentric tracks that were rooted in hip-hop but integrated numerous other elements and instruments. His recordings attracted the interest of prominent British trip-hop label Ninja Tune, which released a self-titled collection of his work in 2002, followed by the Check Fraud 12". At this point, Broder drafted a few Minneapolis musicians -- guitarist Jeremy Ylvisaker, bassist Baer Erickson, drummer Martin Dosh -- to take Fog on the road. His second record, 2003's Ether Teeth, was also a solo venture. 10th Avenue Freakout followed in 2005, and for 2007's Ditherer, Broder found a stable lineup in bassist Mark Erickson and drummer Tim Glenn. ~ Jason Birchmeier

Swiss hard rock and blues-rock outfit Toad leaped onto their country's charts with their debut single, "Stay," in 1972 -- paving the way for the massive Swiss metal movement of the early '80s and such notable bands as Krokus and Celtic Frost. Mainly a three-piece, consisting of Vittorio "Vic" Vergeat (guitar/vocals), Werner Frohlich (bass), and Cosimo Lampis (drums), Toad often enlisted the help of an additional lead vocalist in much of their studio work (Bens Jaeger sang lead on their debut, but departed the group as soon as recording was completed). That same year, the live album Open Fire: Live in Basel 1972 hit stores, taking advantage of the band's constant and successful touring. Tomorrow Blue followed shortly after, appearing in 1973, and the band released Dreams early in 1974. A few live albums, compilations, and studio works continued to trickle out during the rest of the '70s and early '80s, with the core Toad lineup still firmly in place. By the early 2000s, interest in the early European hard rock scene in general (and Toad in particular) led to a slew of deluxe CD reissues and collections -- the best of which were to be found on the Italian imprint Akarma. ~ J. Scott McClintock