well, if you're looking for the true spirit on indpendence over many years, then i'd go with fugazi also (debatable whether they still exist though)... but if we go by the current use of the word "indie", then it has to be the decemberists

Tapes N Tapes Be Your Own Pet Giant Drag The Bleedin Bleedins Coheed And Cambria

Butthole Surfers Minor Threat

The Wrens unsurprisingly. Actually I'd go so far to say that they're the best band ever to come out of North America and the second best of all time, they're even pushing Radiohead close for the top slot at the minute. I downloaded an amazing version of "Everyone Choose Sides" that was recorded acoustically in a fan's living room last night.

I'd say Pavement, but that could easily be usurped by Bright Eyes

Of all time? Husker Du/Sugar/Bob Mould (All one and the same, more or less) Currently? Sun Kil Moon

Sun Kill Moon really are class. For Me its Nada Surf

Sebadoh Sebadoh Sebadoh

Drive-By Truckers

The National

ooh, add The National and Sun Kil Moon to my list too please Ben Kweller as well.

All Girl Summer Fun Band

Mercury Rev Pretty Girls Make Graves Rilo Kiley Shins There's a few others as well I'm sure. Can Canada be included, this does not mean that the recent wave of cool canadians must be added!

Ben Kweller is pretty darn good...but im holding a grudge against him for only visitng the country twice in the past 5 years or so..both of the visits being support slots... The national are just fannnnnntttassstic.

The Pixies Interpol The Rapture Yeah Yeah Yeahs Beck Eels The Flaming Lips The National The White Stripes The Lemonheads King of Leon The Shins The Postal Service TV On The Radio The Spinto Band

ok, Stroller wins

While we are at it-we must not forget Wilco then