Los Angeles neo-soul rockers Fitz and the Tantrums have rolled through the country across airwaves, concert halls and television screens like a hurricane in recent months.

Apparently area garages can't contain some Grand Rapids garage bands. Local venues have seen their share of acts that carry this label, many of which have become mainstays in the scene. Well, we can add another up-and-comer to the mix. Just as the music scene has evolved, so has the phrase “garage band,” which is one that has become more of a representative genre label for small independent bands like The Bermudas.

• Grand Rapids
• The Bermudas
• Charity Lytle
• Dennielle Russ
• DezaRae' Russ

 In the past 10 years, over 60 professional touring acts, 65 local visual exhibits and thousands of school and community events have had the opportunity to grace the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center’s stage, in turn establishing the communal reputation it holds today.

• Grand Rapids
• Forest Hills Fine Arts Center
• 10th Anniversary
• Mid Life Crisis

With most of its members coming out of now-defunct Tiger! Tiger!, this Muskegon-based clan is now cruising the local music scene as Secret Grief. Much appease to their growing fan base, the crew’s consistency has remained with their musicality as an indie-punk band.

• Secret Grief
• Lemonjello's

“Post Alternative Indie Experimental Rock” may be a mouthful to say, but this complex genreical label is more than just a classification for the guys of Grand Rapids-based, Velcrofibs.

• Grand Rapids
• Velcrofibs
• Joey Frankovich
• Jordan Peterson
• Chucky Blackmore
• Andrew Zwart
• Graham Lince

Sometimes, a group of savvy, young artists like the guys of American WiFi (not to be mistaken for 90s pop punksters American Hi-Fi) is just what the local music scene needs to break up the mesh of bands that believe only reinventing a genre will lead to musical success.

• American WiFi
• Levi Lilly
• Cohen Parker
• Sam Starkie
• Greyson Bos

Just to listen to them, you wouldn't know Seattle's folk-rock sextet The Head and the Heart have only been around since 2009. The music feels more experienced and sophisticated, with melodies that sound like they were constructed by people who have been creating together for much longer. Add an eclectic assortment of instruments and some impressive vocal harmonies, and it's no wonder why people have taken notice.

In a day and age where musicians can build an audience via YouTube or by pimping their tunes via the numerous social media channels, West Michigan’s own rock band Wayland chose to go full-on analog with its efforts.

The Division Avenue Arts Collective (DAAC) had a significant role in the formative years of Grand Rapids’ La Dispute. As the organization collects funding for a new building after taking a contractual boot from its former location, La Dispute will return to GR as a kindred spirit.

Genre-defining changes don’t happen very often. You don’t wake up every day to find something new that’s going to change the world in a hugely significant way. That’s why, when these things do happen, it’s a pretty big deal, and so are the people who bring them about.