The Best Alternative Psychedelic Rock Bands
Contents
Looking for some new music to check out? If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, then you’ll want to check out our list of the best alternative psychedelic rock bands. From classics like The Doors to more modern groups like Tame Impala, there’s something for everyone on this list.
The Pixies
The Pixies were an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. The group consisted of Black Francis (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Kim Deal (bass, vocals), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), and David Lovering (drums). The band disbanded acrimoniously in 1993, but reunited in 2004.
Band Members
The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1986. The band’s lineup consists of Black Francis (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), Kim Deal (bass, vocals), and David Lovering (drums). The Pixies achieved relatively little commercial success during their time together, but are now considered one of the most influential bands of the alt-rock boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their debut album, Surfer Rosa, is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time.
History
The Pixies were an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. The group released their debut album Come on Pilgrim in 1987, and their second album Surfer Rosa the following year. The band’s popularity increased with the release of their third album, Doolittle (1989), which produced hits such as “Debaser” and “Wave of Mutilation”. After a lengthy recording hiatus, the Pixies released Bossanova in 1990 and Trompe le Monde in 1991. They disbanded officially in 1993 after releasing four albums (Come on Pilgrim, Surfer Rosa, Doolittle, Bossanova).
Music
The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. The original lineup consisted of Black Francis (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Kim Deal (bass, backing vocals), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), and David Lovering (drums). The band disbanded acrimoniously in 1993, but reunited in 2004. after which they recorded and released their fourth album, “Come On Pilgrim.”
The band’s music contains elements of pop, punk rock and surf rock. Their earlier material was compared to that of the Velvet Underground and they have been credited as influential to various genres such as alternative rock, grunge and shoegazing. Santiago once said,”We were loud, fast and out of tune.” He also said,”We never fit into Boston’s music scene.” They have influenced many artists such as Nirvana, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins and Pavement.
Pavement
Pavement was an American indie rock band that was active from 1989 to 1999. The band was formed in Stockton, California by Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg. Pavement was one of the most influential bands of the 1990s and helped pave the way for alternative rock and indie rock. Pavement’s music was characterized by catchy melodies, dissonance, and witty lyrics.
Band Members
Pavement is an American rock band from Stockton, California, formed in 1989. The group consists of Stephen Malkmus (vocals and guitar), Scott Kannberg (guitar and vocals), Mark Ibold (bass), Steve West (drums), and Bob Nastanovich (percussion and vocals).
Pavement was originally conceived as a recording project by Malkmus and Kannberg, who were longtime friends. The duo expanded to a five-piece with the addition of Ibold, West, and Nastanovich, all of whom were friends of the duo as well. Pavement’s first EP, Slay Tracks, was released in 1989 to positive reviews but little commercial success. The group signed to indie label Matador Records for their next two albums: Slanted and Enchanted (1992) and Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994). Both albums were released to critical acclaim; Slanted and Enchanted peaked at number 33 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart while Crooked Rain reached number 45 on the main Billboard 200 chart.
The band divided tour dates between the U.S. and Europe in support of both albums; Crooked Rain also spawned the band’s first radio hit single with “Cut Your Hair”. Pavement’s final album, Brighten the Corners (1997), continued their success with the singles “Shady Lane”/”Trigger Cut” and “Stereo”. Upon its release, Brighten the Corners was met with positive reviews from music critics; NME named it 1997’s best album while Robert Christgau praised its melodies. Pavement announced their breakup shortly after the conclusion of their 1997 tour in support of Brighten the Corners.
In 2010, Malkmus stated that he would be open to a reunion if all five members agreed to it. In 2014, Nastanovich confirmed that such talks had taken place; however, no reunion would occur until at least 2020 due to scheduling conflicts among members. In 2019,Matador Records reissued Slanted and Enchanted as part of an ongoing venture of deluxe vinyl reissues which also included Press Playhouse 7-inch single that year
History
Pavement was an American indie rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. The group consisted of vocalist and guitarist Stephen Malkmus, drummer Gary Young, bassist Mark Ibold, and guitarist Scott Kannberg. Malkmus and Kannberg were the band’s primary songwriters.
Pavement’s style of music was classified as lo-fi, influenced by 1960s garage rock, 1970s punk rock, and 1980s underground alternative rock. They were briefly signed to Matador Records before founding their own label, Quarantine Records. Pavement released five studio albums—Slanted and Enchanted (1992), Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994), Wowee Zowee (1995), Brighten the Corners (1997), and Terror Twilight (1999)—before going into an indefinite hiatus in 1999. In 2010, they embarked on a reunion tour.
Music
Psychedelic rock, also known as acid rock, is a music genre that arose out of the mid-1960s garage punk movement and the subsequent countercultural scene. The style is generally characterized by distorted guitars, far-out lyrics, and drug-related themes.
While the genre did not achieve mainstream success until the late 1960s, some of the earliest examples of psychedelic rock date back to 1966 with the release of The Beatles’ “Revolver” album and The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds”. Other well-known psychedelic rock bands from the 1960s include The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Pink Floyd, and Jefferson Airplane.
Despite its relatively short history, psychedelic rock has had a significant impact on both popular music and culture. The genre has influenced countless other genres including punk rock, metal, and jam bands. Psychedelic rock has also been credited with helping to usher in a new era of creativity and self-expression.
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth was an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The group was one of the first alternative rock bands to gain mainstream attention and critical acclaim. Though they were often lumped in with the grunge movement of the early 1990s, Sonic Youth’s experimental approach to rock music was more closely aligned with the avant-garde and punk rock scenes of the 1980s.
Band Members
Sonic Youth was an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The group is best known for its experimental music, characterised by messily distorted guitars, feedback, and unconventional song structures. The band achieved a considerable underground following in the 1980s and early 1990s before signing to major label DGC Records in 1990. Sonic Youth found mainstream success with the release of Goo in 1990. However, the band was equally noted for its political activism, disagreements between band members regarding artistic direction, and conflicts with corporate interests during their time with DGC.
The original lineup consisted of Thurston Moore (vocals and guitar), Kim Gordon (bass guitar and vocals), Lee Ranaldo (guitar and vocals), and Glenn Branca (guitar). The band was joined by drummer Richard Edson for their first two albums Confusion Is Sex (1983) and Bad Moon Rising (1985). Bob Bert replaced Branca from EVOL (1986) to Sister (1987) before returning to the fold for Out of Tune’s 30th anniversary reissue. Jim O’Rourke became a frequent collaborator with Sonic Youth between 1995 and 2005.
Sonic Youth were considered one of the leaders of the American independent rock scene of the 1980s and early ’90s known as Noise Rock. They influenced countless alternative bands over their three decades as a recording act; while Hole frontwoman Courtney Love said of them “there would be no Hole without Sonic Youth.”
History
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The band is composed of Thurston Moore (guitar, vocals), Kim Gordon (bass, vocals), Lee Ranaldo (guitar, vocals), Steve Shelley (drums) and Jim O’Rourke (guitar, keyboards). Sonic Youth have been credited as pioneers of the alternative rock, indie rock and noise rock genres.
The band experienced several lineup changes before stabilizing in 1990 with the addition of Jim O’Rourke. Throughout their existence, Sonic Youth have released 17 studio albums and six EPs, as well as a number of live albums and compilations. The band has also been active in other projects; most notably creating the experimental musical group Free Kitten with Pussy Galore’s Julia Cafritz and maintaining SYR, an imprint on DGC Records devoted to releasing avant-garde music. Gordon and Moore have also collaborated with Ikue Mori in 1998 under the name Mirror/Dash.
Music
Sonic Youth is one of the best alternative psychedelic rock bands of all time. Formed in 1981, the band is composed of Thurston Moore (guitar, vocals), Kim Gordon (bass, vocals), Lee Ranaldo (guitar, vocals), and Steve Shelley (drums). Sonic Youth has released fourteen studio albums and several EPs throughout their career. The band’s music is a mix of experimental noise rock and punk.
Sonic Youth’s most popular album is 1988’s Daydream Nation, which was named one of the 500 greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. Other notable Sonic Youth albums include 1986’s EVOL, 1992’s Dirty, and 1994’s Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star. In 2002, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
