2018’s Best American Psychedelic Rock Bands
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Looking for some new psychedelic rock bands to check out in 2018? Here are some of our favorites!
The Growlers
The Growlers are an American psychedelic rock band that was formed in 2009 in Dana Point, California. The band currently consists of singer/guitarist Brooks Nielsen, bassist/keyboardist Matt Taylor, drummer Scott Montoya, and guitarist/keyboardist Kyle Straka. The Growlers have released six studio albums, with their most recent being Casual Acquaintances, which was released in 2018.
Their sound
The Growlers have been described as having a “beachy, lo-fi sound” that incorporates elements of garage rock, surf rock, and psychedelic rock.
The band’s music has been likened to that of The Beach Boys, The Zombies, The Doors, and David Bowie. They have also been credited as helping to revive the “Garage Rock” sound in the 2010s.
Their look
Formed in 2013, The Growlers are one of the most exciting American psychedelic rock bands to emerge in recent years. Hailing from Orange County, California, the band is fronted by singer Brooks Nielsen and includes guitarist Matt Taylor, bassist Scott Montoya, keyboardist Kyle Straka, and drummer Aaron Redfield.
Their look is inspired by 60s and 70s surf culture, with the band members often seen sporting Hawaiian shirts and other vintage clothing. This aesthetic is also reflected in their music, which draws heavily from classic psychedelic rock acts like The doors and Love.
The Growlers have released five studio albums to date, with their latest ‘City Club’ receiving widespread acclaim from critics. They are also well-known for their lively live shows, which often feature extended jams and improvised moments. If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, then The Growlers are definitely a band worth checking out!
Their influences
The Growlers are an American band formed in Dana Point, California, in 2006. The band is composed of singer Brooks Nielsen and guitarist Matt Taylor, who are both multi-instrumentalists; bassist Nick Norris; keyboardist Kyle Straka; and drummer Scott Montoya. The Growlers’ music has been classified under the genres of psychedelic rock and garage rock.
The band’s sound has been compared to that of 1960s and 1970s-era garage rock and surf bands, including the Sonics, the Pendletons, The Mercenaries,13th Floor Elevators, T. Rex, the Stooges, the Gories, Kongsmenutten 24syv TV show host Lars Humble Frederiksen], Davie Allan and the Arrows, Crossfired Gunbearers,- Joy Division – New Order – Depeche Mode – Kraftwerk
The Beach Boys – Neil Young – George Harrison – Pink Floyd- The Jimi Hendrix Experience
the Flaming Lips,- Pavement Sonic Youth ,-the Jesus and Mary Chain My Bloody Valentine ,the Velvet Underground ,the Stooges Television Pixies Talking Heads Tom Petty and
The Heartbreakers R.E.M. Pavement Weezer Dinosaur Jr. Sebadoh Guided by Voices Beck Built to Spill Neutral Milk Hotel Silver Jews Merge Records
Tame Impala
Hailing from Australia, Tame Impala is a psychedelic rock band that has been around since 2007. The band’s sound is a mix of classic rock and contemporary psychedelia, and they have been praised for their live shows. Tame Impala’s latest album, “Currents”, was released in 2015 to critical acclaim.
Their sound
On their stunning 2015 album Currents, Tame Impala synthesized the sounds of psychedelia, disco, and pop into something that felt simultaneously retro and modern. The result was a record that appealed to both indie and mainstream audiences, and it cemented the band’s position as one of the most successful psychedelic rock bands in recent memory.
With their 2018 album, The Slow Rush, Tame Impala took things one step further, expanding their sound to encompass more electronic elements and textures. The result is an album that feels both expansive and intimate, like a late-night conversation between old friends.
In a way, The Slow Rush feels like a natural progression from Currents. But it also feels like a bold statement from a band that is constantly pushing themselves to new sonic heights. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting started, Tame Impala is a band that always has something new to offer.
Their look
Though their 2013 breakthrough Currents brought worldwide acclaim, it was the band’s three earlier EPs that first put them on the map, with a sound that often took as much influence from hip-hop and R&B as it did from classic rock. It’s all there in the band’s iconic logo – a psychedelic homage to Dr. Dre’s 2005 album cover – and in frontman Kevin Parker’s laidback flow, which is just as likely to evoke A Tribe Called Quest as it is the Beach Boys.
Their influences
Tame Impala’s musical style has been described as psychedelic rock, neo-psychedelia, progressive rock, space rock, and electronica. The band has been likened to Pink Floyd, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Kevin Parker’s childhood hero Michael Jackson, and his musical inspirations Stevie Wonder and P-Funk.
The Black Angels
Formed in 2004 in Austin, Texas, The Black Angels take their name from the Velvet Underground classic “The Black Angel’s Death Song.” The group’s driving sound—a mix of garage, psychedelic, andspace rock—has been hailed as one of the best new sounds in rock.
Their sound
The sound of The Black Angels is rooted in the dark, swirling psychedelic music of the late 1960s British Invasion bands. But while their music may evoke the past, The Black Angels are very much a product of the 21st century. The Austin, Texas-based quintet creates a modern take on classic psychedelic rock, infusing it with a heavy dose of bluesy garage rock and a touch of ’60s-style punk energy. The result is a sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh, familiar and exciting.
Formed in 2004 by singer/guitarist Alex Maas and multi-instrumentalist Christian Bland, The Black Angels took their name from the Velvet Underground song “The Black Angel’s Death Song.” With Maas and Bland serving as the group’s primary songwriters, The Black Angels quickly began honing their distinctive sound, expanding their lineup to include bassist Nathan Ryan, drummer Stephanie Bailey, and guitarist Jennifer Raines. In 2005, The Black Angels released their debut album Passover on Light in the Attic Records.
Their look
While today’s psychedelic music has evolved considerably from its ‘60s and ‘70s origins, The Black Angels keep the vintage feel alive with their signature look. Drawing inspiration from The Doors, The Velvet Underground and other classic acts, the band’s members dress in all black (including their signature top hats) and use lots of dark eyeliner. This creates an air of mystery that is perfect for their moody, atmospheric sound.
Their influences
The Black Angels are an American psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 2004, the band currently consists of Alex Maas (vocals, keyboards), Christian Bland (guitar, keyboards), Kyle Hunt (keyboards, percussion), and Stephanie Bailey (drums). They have released five studio albums and one compilation album. Their name is derived from the Velvet Underground song “The Black Angel’s Death Song”.
The band has stated that their music is heavily influenced by the music of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly psychedelic rock and garage rock. Other influences include krautrock, shoegaze, new wave, dub, and post-punk.
