Christopher Golden
Allyson Beatrice
Kelley Armstrong
Jim Butcher
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (but only as a team--their solo books don't really do much for me)
John Sandford
Dennis Lehane

Grant Langston
Grant is a singer/songwriter from Alabama who writers great, funny, bitter songs. Where else are you gonna find lyrics like "Everyday I take a tab of ecstasy with my coffee, just so I can look at you"? He's kinda folk, kinda country, and if he's ever in your neighborhood, run, don't walk. He's been known to do tours throughout the U.S., so keep a sharp eye on his website for news of upcoming tours.

KANE
KANE is fronted by Christian Kane, formerly Lindsey the evil lawyer on Angel (seasons one and two). He and his buddy Steve Carlson write most of the songs, which are a blend of rock and country that makes me forget how much I hate country music. It's soulful and sexy, and well worth the rising ticket prices.

The Piper Downs
Fun and funny, the Pipers get your heart jumping and your face smiling, playing songs reminiscent of early Bare Naked Ladies (or so I've heard, I'm actually not all that familiar with early BNL). Outside of L.A., you can sometimes catch them in Las Vegas, or Australia. They're really big in Australia.

Four Star Mary
FSM plays good old-fashioned rock, with some on-stage moshing thrown in—it's a rare show if Steve Carter doesn't crash into something at some point. (Last time it was the drums.) They're also notable for being the band that supplied the songs and music for Buffy the Vampire Slayer's fictional band, Dingoes Ate My Baby. If you can't make it to an L.A. show, try looking them up the next time you're in the U.K. FSM has a huge following there, so it's not uncommon for them to hit the road and spread the love for their British fans.