Suburban Rock 'n' Roll Trivia Quiz

Answer: Van Halen

Before becoming one of America's biggest rock bands, brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen moved with their family from the Netherlands to Pasadena, California, in 1962. They formed a group called Mammoth as teenagers before recruiting David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony and adopting the name Van Halen in 1974. Years of playing clubs and backyard parties around Los Angeles helped build a loyal following.

Their self-titled debut album was released in 1978 after Gene Simmons of KISS helped finance an early demo. 'Jump', from the album '1984', reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1984, where it remained for five weeks. It peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart in March 1984, and '1984' reached number two on the US Billboard 200.

Answer: No Doubt

Gwen Stefani joined the group soon after its formation, initially as a backing vocalist. Following the death of original vocalist John Spence in 1987, she became the lead singer. The band spent several years building a following on Southern California's club circuit before breaking into the mainstream. They formed in Anaheim in 1986.

Success arrived with the 1995 album 'Tragic Kingdom'. Its best-known single, 'Don't Speak', reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in February 1997. Although the song was not eligible for the US Billboard Hot 100 because it was never released as a commercial single in the United States, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart for 16 consecutive weeks.

Answer: The Offspring

High school friends Dexter Holland and Greg Kriesel formed The Offspring in Garden Grove, California, in 1984 under the name Manic Subsidal. Guitarist Kevin 'Noodles' Wasserman joined soon afterwards, and the band gradually built a following on the Southern California punk scene before releasing its debut album in 1989.

They achieved success with the 1994 album 'Smash', which became the best-selling album ever released by an independent label. Four years later, 'Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)' reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in February 1999 and topped the charts in several other countries. In the United States, it reached number 53 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Linkin Park

The band that became Linkin Park began life as Xero in 1996, and was formed by school friends Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson and Rob Bourdon in Agoura Hills, California. After several line-up changes and the arrival of vocalist Chester Bennington in 1999, they settled on the name Linkin Park.

Their debut album, 'Hybrid Theory', was released in October 2000. It reached number two on the US Billboard 200 and became the best-selling album of 2001. The single 'In the End' peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March 2002 and reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart in April 2002.

Answer: Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold was formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1999 by four high school friends: M. Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, The Rev and Matt Wendt. Their name comes from the biblical story of Cain and Abel. While still at school, they recorded material that eventually became their debut album, 'Sounding the Seventh Trumpet', which was released in 2001.

Mainstream success arrived with the 2005 album 'City of Evil'. Its best-known single, 'Bat Country', reached number two on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in September 2005. Although it peaked at number 84 on the UK Singles Chart in October 2005, it became one of the band's best-known songs.

Answer: Fall Out Boy

Chicago's punk scene produced several successful bands, including Fall Out Boy. Formed in Wilmette, Illinois, in 2001 by Pete Wentz and Joe Trohman, the group later recruited Patrick Stump and Andy Hurley. They built a strong local following before attracting the attention of record labels.

Their second album, 'From Under the Cork Tree', was released in May 2005. 'Sugar, We're Goin Down' reached number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 in September 2005 and number eight on the UK Singles Chart in January 2006. The album was eventually certified five-times platinum in the United States.

Answer: Plain White T's

Although Plain White T's had been performing for several years, international success arrived with a single song. They were formed in Lombard, Illinois, in 1997 by friends Tom Higgenson and Ken Fletcher, and spent years playing clubs and small venues around Chicago before securing a major recording contract.

International success came with 'Hey There Delilah'. It reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in July 2007, remaining there for two weeks, and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart in September 2007. The song also earned the band two Grammy Award nominations.

Answer: My Chemical Romance

The September 11 attacks inspired Gerard Way to form a new band that became My Chemical Romance. He was joined by guitarist Ray Toro and drummer Matt Pelissier before his brother Mikey came aboard as bassist. Frank Iero later completed the classic line-up, and their debut album appeared in 2002.

The band's biggest commercial success came with 'The Black Parade' in 2006. Its lead single, 'Welcome to the Black Parade', reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in October 2006, staying there for two weeks. It also peaked at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November 2006.

Answer: Dropkick Murphys

Blending Celtic folk music with punk rock gave Dropkick Murphys a distinctive sound. Formed in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1996, the band earned a reputation through relentless touring and annual St Patrick's Day performances in Boston.

'I'm Shipping Up to Boston' became their signature song after it appeared in Martin Scorsese's 2006 film 'The Departed'. Although it never reached the US Billboard Hot 100, it sold more than one million digital copies in the United States.

Answer: The Academy Is...

Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy helped introduce The Academy Is... to a bigger audience after hearing an early demo. The band was formed in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, in 2003 by William Beckett and Mike Carden, who had met while attending the local high school. Bassist Adam Siska joined soon afterwards.

Their debut album, 'Almost Here', was released in February 2005. It reached number 185 on the US Billboard 200 and number 16 on the US Billboard Independent Albums chart. Although the band never achieved major UK chart success, extensive touring with Fall Out Boy and Plain White T's helped build a loyal following.