I guess for me, it was Rush - the total teenage misfit thing, heady lyrics, awesome musicianship. I'd watch the concert videos (VHS) at a friend's house, and we saw them on the Power Windows tour at the Omni (RIP) the spring of my senior year of high school. I've seen them on almost every tour since.
Lately, the band that strikes the perfect chord is Green Day. I could listen to their last two CDs over and over again. Heck, I often do that on my commute. They have achieved sonic perfection - I wouldn't change a note. I'm flirting with the idea of picking up the drums, after being an air drummer for twenty-plus years. I used to think I'd want to play like Neil Peart, but now I think I'll set my sights on playing like the far more attainable, but still quite awesome, Tre' Cool.
