The Raconteurs

It began with one song written in an attic during a hot summer. Jack White and Brendan Benson wrote "Steady, As She Goes", then brought in bassist Jack Lawrence and drummer Patrick Keeler, of the Greenhornes, to form a full band in Detroit in 2005. Now based in Nashville, The Raconteurs were quickly branded a supergroup, a label they rejected, insisting they were a new band of old friends. In Australia they trade as The Saboteurs, after a Queensland group held out for a higher price than their record company would pay.

Their debut, Broken Boy Soldiers, was recorded in Benson's home studio and released in May 2006, entering the charts at No. 2 in the UK and No. 7 in the US. The band first played live in Liverpool that March, and White's profile sold out mid-sized venues from the start. In November they opened eight dates for Bob Dylan. Mojo named the album its Album of the Year, and the Grammys nominated it for Best Rock Album, though it did not win. They also covered The Undertones' "Teenage Kicks" for a BBC Radio 1 anniversary compilation, which closes with Corinne Bailey Rae covering "Steady, As She Goes".