Long before Ted Leo was a standard-bearer of smartypants punk-pop, he was the guitar player in one of New York's best noise/hardcore bands, Hell No, who frankly got a lot better once he left the band.
It was better for all involved. Ted Leo went on to form Chisel (one of the only convincing mod-revival bands ever) and then Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, who for my money is the most consistently compelling act touring in a van today.
Equal parts Irish pop a la Dexy's Midnight Runners/Thin Lizzy and Billy Bragg-esque protest punk, Leo sometimes shines brightest on his own, as he does here performing "The High Party".
