I recommend REM songs for the beginner who likes alt rock.

SHINE by Collective Soul's a fun one you can jam on.

I second the Default song -- that one's got some great slides in it that just take a little bit of practice to get right. Sounds great too.

311 down
pod southtown
311 amber
bush greedy fly
pixies where is my mind

and when you get those songs down
weezer say it ain't so
blink 182 dammit (wow do i hate that song)
deftones my own summer

Almost anything by Nirvana is pretty easy save Lounge act an Hairspray Queen

try some of bob marley's stuff.... great for practicing of keeping a steady beat and locking with the drummer...

Bob MArley is hard for beginners....Reggae is off beat not on it is the down stroke i beleive that is the stressed note as ours is the up im not sure but its totaly opposite. As for fretting it is pretty easy.

how bout the stray cat strut