There are many indie rock bands in the world, who tried to bring some change to their music. Also, Indie musicians are loved all around the world with a huge fan following.
The genre came into the scene during the mid-80s. Indie music is a genre of music that provides freedom and independence. That is what defines the genre the free spirit and the unconventional style of music.
So, here you are going to find the best 15 Indie Rock bands you must listen to, even if it is just for once in your lifetime.
15. Spoon
Spoons were founded in 1979 in Burlington, Ontario. Gordon Deppe (lead vocals and guitar), Sandy Horne (vocals and bass), Brett Wickens (keyboards, synths), and Peter Shepherd were the original members of the band (drums).
Deppe, Horne, and Wickens all went to Aldershot High School, and Deppe and Horne (the band’s only constant members) dated during their time there. While eating alphabet soup at Brett Wickens’ house, the band decided on their name. They all stared at their spoons in unison while tossing over prospective names, and “then there was no going back.”
14. Neutral Milk Hotel
It was established in Ruston, Louisiana, by singer, guitarist, and songwriter Jeff Mangum, who was an American Indie Rock band in the late eighties. The band’s music featured a deliberately low-quality sound, influenced by indie rock and psychedelic folk. Neutral Milk Hotel began as one of Mangum’s home recording projects.
13. Pixies
Pixies were one of the most influential alternative rock bands, combining spiky, raging guitars with catchy pop songs, interwoven cisgender harmonies, and intriguing, enigmatic lyrics.
12. Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band formed in Sheffield in 2002. The band consists of Members including Alex Turner, Matt Helders, Jamie Cook, Nick O’Malley, and Andy Nicholson. Arctic Monkeys debuted in 2005 with a bang, with their nerdy and erudite brand of indie rock. The band immediately became a sensation in the United Kingdom, thanks to glowing reviews and going viral worldwide.
11. Pavement
Pavement, the pioneers of the “lo-fi” alternative rock style, paved the way for college rock in the 1990s. Also, their distorted, melancholy guitar pop, drowsy melodies, and intricate language appealed to grunge purists.
10. Talking Heads
They may have only been together for 16 years, but this New York Band became one of the very biggest influences on subsequent alternative or indie-rock acts. The band was formed in 1975. They managed to hit the mainstream while maintaining their street cred with critics during the 1980s.
9. The White Stripes
After getting the Detroit scene buzzing with their first three discs. The White Stripes went from indie-garage rockers to a worldwide sensation. They were also one of the most well-known indie rock bands around the globe. They called the quits long ago but there’s no denying that they knew to get the crowd going with their fusion of garage punk and blues-rock.
8. Pearl Jam
With a grunge lineage, there is no doubt or any wonder how Pearl Jam is one of the best indie rock bands of all time. However, they did this via their own merits which included some of the most memorable hooks and courses driven by socio-political lyrics.
7. Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode is an English electronic band formed in Basildon, Essex, in 1980. The band currently consists of Dave Gahan and Martin Gore. Despite the departure of Vince Clarke, the group came back with a darker sound that captivated teens everywhere, which helped them go mainstream.
6. Red Hot Chilli Peppers
They induced Funk hard rock & psychedelic rock into their style and that’s exactly what makes them both unique and long-lasting. After several years of taking the indie route, The Red Chilli Peppers hit it big during the early 90s.
5. R.E.M
Formed in the 1980s. These guys from Atlanta, Georgia made a name for themselves with their very first album. With the help of Michael Stipe’s hard-to-decipher singing and Peter Buck’s distinctive guitar style, R.E.M. had people raving when college radios showed their back in the 80s.
4. The Clash
They were known for their angsty dirty vibe. Also, their lyrics were socio-politically driven. After spreading their musical message on tour the idealistic musicians struck a chord with Americans by experimenting with genres in their albums.
3. The Cure
They came into the scene in 1976 and found home that decade within the post-punk and new wave movements. The Cure is an English rock band formed in 1978 in Crawley, West Sussex. The Cure has released 13 studio albums, two EPs, over 30 singles, and has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.
2. Radiohead
After making their first two indie-rock songs, Radiohead proved they weren’t a one-note band with a more complex sound and abstract of themes. Also, Radiohead is highly regarded as one of the greatest acts because of its good and consistent music.
Radiohead is an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke; brothers Jonny Greenwood and Colin Greenwood; Ed O’Brien; and Philip Selway.
1. Nirvana
The Indie rock scene has never been the same since Nirvana burst into the scene. Nirvana brought the Seattle sound to the masses and became the leader of grunge’s “The Big Four”. Nirvana was a famous American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. Nirvana’s success popularized alternative rock, and they were often referenced as the figurehead band of Generation X.
Hope you like our incredible article! Also, you must know about the best female country singers ever.
