The Best of Aussie Rock Music
Contents
- The history of Australian rock music
- The best Australian rock bands of all time
- The greatest Australian rock songs of all time
- The best Australian rock albums of all time
- Australian rock music in the present day
- The future of Australian rock music
- The influence of Australian rock music around the world
- The unique sound of Australian rock music
- The biggest moments in Australian rock music history
- Why Australian rock music is the best
The Best of Aussie Rock Music is a blog dedicated to sharing the best Australian rock music with the world. From the latest releases to classic tracks, we’ll keep you up to date with everything you need to know about Aussie rock.
The history of Australian rock music
Rock music in Australia has its roots in 1950s and 1960s rock and roll and country music, and also 1960s folk music. Australian rock was a blend of these influences, with some of the earliest forms of the genre appearing in the country. The Beatles arrived in 1964, giving Australia its first taste of real Beatlemania, which would continue throughout the decade. Hound Dog by Elvis Presley was number one on the Australian pop charts for a record-breaking eleven weeks in 1958. During the 1970s, Australian rock began to show signs of its own distinctive character, with bands such as AC/DC, Midnight Oil and Skyhooks merging elements of British and American rock with local influences to create a unique sound. The 1980s saw a wave of successful Australian bands achieve international success, including Men at Work, INXS and Crowded House. 1990s brought grunge and alternative rock from overseas to Australia, resulting in a wave of local grunge and alternative bands such as Silverchair, Powderfinger and You Am I. In the early 2000s, Australian indie rock achieved considerable success both locally and overseas.
The best Australian rock bands of all time
Here are ten of the best Australian rock bands of all time, in no particular order.
1. AC/DC
2. Midnight Oil
3. INXS
4. Men at Work
5. The Angels
6. Cold Chisel
7. Hunters & Collectors
8. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
9. Silverchair
10. You Am I
The greatest Australian rock songs of all time
Whether you’re a native Aussie or just a fan of great rock music, there’s no denying that Australia has produced some truly classic tunes over the years. From early hits like “I Ran” by Sherbet to more recent anthems like “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” by 5 Seconds of Summer, Aussie rock music has something for everyone.
To help you celebrate the best of Australian rock, we’ve compiled a list of what we think are the greatest Australian rock songs of all time. So crank up the volume and get ready to sing your heart out!
The best Australian rock albums of all time
Looking for the best Australian rock albums of all time? Look no further! We’ve collected the greatest records from across the land down under, from classic hits to new school anthems. So crank up the volume, put on your dancing shoes, and get ready to rock out!
Australian rock music in the present day
Australian rock music is renowned for its hard-hitting sound and unique style. But what’s the story behind this widely-loved genre?
Rock music first began to take shape in Australia in the 1950s, with bands like Coloured Balls and The Loved Ones laying the foundations for what would become a vibrant and thriving scene. During the 1960s and 1970s, Australian rock music reached new heights, with artists like Midnight Oil, AC/DC, and INXS achieving global success.
In recent years, Australian rock music has continued to evolve and evolve, with a new generation of artists taking the genre in exciting new directions. Here are just a few of the best Australian rock bands making waves in the present day.
The future of Australian rock music
There is no denying that Australian music has been on the decline in recent years. With the closure of many iconic venues and the lack of new talent being groomed, it’s hard to see a bright future for Aussie rock music.
That being said, there are still a number of talented Australian musicians out there making great music. Here are just a few of the best Australian rock bands that are keeping the genre alive.
The Drones
The Drones are an Australian band that formed in 1997. They have released seven albums, with their most recent being Feelin Kinda Free in 2016. The Drones are known for their dark and often political lyrics, which has seen them labelled as one of Australia’s most important rock bands.
The Jezabels
The Jezabels are a four-piece band from Sydney who formed in 2007. They have released three albums, with their most recent being Synthia in 2016. The Jezabels are known for their ethereal sound and lead singer Hayley Mary’s powerful vocals.
The Rubens
The Rubens are a five-piece band from New South Wales who formed in 2011. They have released two albums, with their most recent being Hoops in 2015. The Rubens are known for their soulful brand of rock ‘n’ roll and catchy hooks.
The influence of Australian rock music around the world
Australian rock music has had a profound influence on popular culture around the world. From the early days of rock and roll to the present day, Australian musicians have been at the forefront of shaping the sound and style of popular music.
The Australian rock music scene is vibrant and diverse, with new bands and artists emerging all the time. Here are just a few of the most popular and influential Australian rock bands and artists that have made an impact on the world stage.
AC/DC
One of the most successful rock bands of all time, AC/DC was formed in Sydney in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. With their distinctive brand of hard-hitting, blues-influenced rock, AC/DC has sold more than 200 million records worldwide and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the ARIA Hall of Fame.
INXS
Formed in Perth in 1977, INXS was one of Australia’s most successful bands, selling more than 50 million records worldwide. With their signature mix of post-punk, new wave and pop, INXS found international success with hits like “Need You Tonight”, “Never Tear Us Apart” and “Suicide Blonde”. The band’s lead singer Michael Hutchence tragically died in 1997, but INXS continues to tour today with new lead singer Jon Stevens.
Midnight Oil
Formed in Sydney in 1976, Midnight Oil is one of Australia’s most well-known political bands. With their mix of alternative rock, folk and punk influences, the band has waged a musical campaign against environmental destruction, Indigenous rights injustice and war throughout their career. Midnight Oil were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Nick Cave is one of Australia’s most acclaimed musicians and writers. He first found success as the frontman for post-punk band The Birthday Party in the early 1980s before going on to form Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds in 1983. With a darkly poetic style that draws on gothic folklore, Cave has released 17 studio albums with The Bad Seeds as well as writing several novels and screenplays.
The unique sound of Australian rock music
Aussie rock music has a unique sound that is distinct from other styles of rock music around the world. The sound is characterised by its heavy use of guitars, strong drums and bass, and often incorporates elements of blues and country music.
Aussie rock bands have been hugely influential in the development of popular music, with many of the world’s biggest bands taking inspiration from the sound of Australian rock. Some of the most famous Australian rock bands include AC/DC, Midnight Oil, INXS, and Crowded House.
The sound of Australian rock music is often credited to the fact that Australia is such a large country with a wide variety of landscapes. This has meant that Australian bands have had to develop a sound that can be enjoyed by people from all parts of the country.
Australian rock music has continued to evolve over the years, with new bands taking inspiration from the classic sounds of earlier years while also incorporating new elements into their music. This has resulted in a unique and ever-changing sound that continues to entertain and engage audiences around the world.
The biggest moments in Australian rock music history
From Midnight Oil to Cold Chisel, Australian rock music has produced some truly iconic bands and songs. In this article, we take a look at some of the biggest moments in Australian rock music history.
-In 1974, Australian band AC/DC release their debut album, High Voltage. The album is an instant hit, going on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time.
-In 1980, Midnight Oil release their album Blue Sky Mining. The album is a critical and commercial success, cementing Midnight Oil as one of the most important bands in Australian music history.
-In 1982, INXS release their breakthrough album Shabooh Shoobah. The album features the hit single “Don’t Change”, which goes on to become one of the most iconic Australian songs of all time.
-In 1987, Cold Chisel release their final album Twentieth Century. The album is a huge success, becoming one of the highest-selling albums in Australian history.
-In 1991, Nirvana release their landmark album Nevermind. Although the band is from America, the album has a big impact on the Australian music scene, helping to popularise grunge and alternative rock in Australia.
-In 2000, Silverchair release their acclaimed album Diorama. The album features the hit single “Ana’s Song (Open Fire)”, which goes on to become one of the most popular Australian songs of all time.
Why Australian rock music is the best
There are many reasons why Australian rock music is the best. For one, the country has a rich musical history, dating back to the early 20th century. Australian rock musicians have always been at the forefront of innovation, creating new and exciting sounds that have influenced musicians around the world.
Another reason why Australian rock music is so great is the sheer diversity of the genre. From hard rock and metal to pop and indie, there is something for everyone. And, of course, let’s not forget about all the great Australian bands out there! Whether you’re a fan of AC/DC, INXS, or Midnight Oil, there’s no doubt that Australian rock music is some of the best in the world.