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Best Up-And-Coming OC Bands To Check Out In 2016

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(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Orange County has a pretty good history of bands that have gone on to bigger things far beyond the borders of this fair county. Social Distortion, No Doubt, and Sugar Ray are some of the bands who have become household names. Good bands continue to form and thrive here in the OC. These are some of the bands that are poised to take up the torch for Orange County music. Check them out now so you can say you saw them before they made it big.

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(Credit: Twinsterphoto/Shutterstock)

Undecided Future
www.undecidedfuture.com

With its crafting of catchy, soulful songs and its incredible stage presence, Undecided Future seems much more advanced than a band whose members are teenagers. Two of the members still attend Orange County High School of the Arts, and three graduated last June. The band has one EP, "Disco Balls & Mating Calls," under its belt. Also, it recently played the L.A. County Fair and the Kaaboo Festival in San Diego. Catch this band that is certainly bound for bigger things.

concert
(credit: bbernard/Shutterstock)

Clouseaux
www.clouseaux.com

Exotica music can be hard to find. However, when you find a band that does it well, you want to know when the band is performing so you can get a regular dose of exotica. Clouseaux is a band that does exotica very well — as evidenced by the fact that it was selected to perform at Tiki Oasis in August 2015. You can't help but want a tropical drink in your hand when you listen to this band. Clouseaux brings good energy to its live shows. Plus it's not very often you get to see a band with horns and vibraphones.

concert
(credit: Twinsterphoto/Shutterstock)

RadioDrone
www.facebook.com/Radiodrone

Rock is a description that encompasses a lot of different subgenres and a wide variety of sounds. Still, you know when a band rocks, even if the term itself is fairly generic. RadioDrone is a band that rocks pretty hard. This band performs with a lot of energy and a lot of volume, and will get you to think while you rock out. This is a band you should check out especially if you're a fan of bands like Five Finger Death Punch.

Related: Best Indie Rock Venues In Orange County

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(credit: Pixabay)

Chad Martini
www.reverbnation.com

If you're someone who follows local music, Chad Martini might be a name you've encountered frequently. He regularly plays all over the county. Part of the charm of Martini is that he can appeal to a broad audience. He is a singer-songwriter who plays an acoustic guitar, and his tunes range from the easygoing to the political. If you want to see someone who is dedicated to the craft of songwriting, Martini is an artist you should get to know.

Nightlife & Music Under 21, Live Music Venue
(credit: Thinkstock)

Well Hung Heart
www.wellhungheart.com

Well Hung Heart is a band that has not been around for a long time, but it has some pretty good accomplishments under its belt. In 2014, the band won Best Live Band at the OC Music Awards. It has played festivals such as The Warped Tour and Ink 'n Iron. More impressive is that this band has accomplished all of those things while maintaining an indie ethos. In addition, Well Hung Heart has a sound that easily fits into playlists of modern-rock radio stations nationwide. Don't be surprised if this band ends up on a lot of those radio stations and becomes a band that everyone knows.

Related: Best Singer-Songwriters In Orange County

Gary Schwind is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. His work can be found on Examiner.com

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