Most people you battle on shoddy are pretty intense with it, Wifi has always been better for casual battling; unfortunately, a majority of wifi battlers aren't very good and won't give you good matches.
I listen to a bit of everything; thrash metal, prog, black metal, grunge, folk, pop punk, you name it and I probably have a band that I listen to from it.
The Offspring are always good. Can't really comment on Mayday Parade and Silverstein, I believe their both post-hardcore though? LiGHTS sounds interesting, though I've never been a fan of Owl City myself. Though I did look up the girl, and I agree, she is rather attractive.
And may I note that for some reason in my head I still want to think you're a girl, unless I remind myself. >__>