Bill--
Since you're big on Seattle, I'll suggest a modern-day band from just up the road (Portland) that Jennifer and I recently discovered (via the Margaritaville Channel on Sirius, no less). It's not *rock* per se, but it is really, really good music.
http://www.pinkmartini.com/home.html
"Hey Eugene" and "Amado Mio" are beautiful songs. China Forbes (the lead singer) has an incredible voice.
Maybe it is your thing, maybe it is not. I'm a rocker like everybody else. But Pink Martini just kind of hit that spot in my brain that says "me like". I hope you do, too.
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As for properly cooking some ribs, I'm stunned nobody has mentioned smoking them (electric or gas, doesn't matter to me). We have an electric smoker. Coat the ribs in olive oil, put 'em in the smoker for 2-3 hours, add wood chips every 30 minutes or so.
To. Die. For.
Thanksgiving turkey is also cooked this way, and the relatives swear it's the best they've ever had. Keeps 'em coming back, year after year.