5 Alt Rock Bands You Must Listen to

Check out our list of 5 alt rock bands you must listen to! Featuring a mix of new and classic bands, there’s something for everyone.

Introduction

If you’re a fan of alternative rock, then you’ve probably already heard of most of the big names in the genre. But what about the up-and-coming bands that are making a name for themselves? Here are five alt rock bands you need to check out:

1. Young the Giant
2. Foals
3. The Strokes
4. The 1975
5. Muse

Radiohead

Over the past few decades, alternative rock music has become increasingly popular. If you’re a fan of the genre, here are five alt rock bands you must listen to:

1. Radiohead – A British band that rose to prominence in the early 1990s, Radiohead is one of the most popular and acclaimed alt rock bands of all time. With hits like “Creep” and “Paranoid Android,” they’ve helped define the sound of alternative rock.

2. Nirvana – One of the most influential alt rock bands ever, Nirvana was responsible for popularizing the genre in the mainstream with their 1991 album Nevermind. From then on, they were one of the most successful and acclaimed bands of their era, with hits like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Come As You Are.”

3. Pearl Jam – Another hugely successful alt rock band, Pearl Jam rose to prominence in the early 1990s with their debut album Ten. They’re known for their powerful live performances and Hits like “Alive” and “Jeremy.”

4. Foo Fighters – Formed by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters are one of the most popular alt rock bands of the past few decades. With hits like “My Hero” and “Everlong,” they’ve become one of the defining bands of their generation.

5. Arcade Fire – A Canadian band that emerged in the early 2000s, Arcade Fire is one of the most acclaimed alt rock bands of recent years. Their 2010 album The Suburbs won them a Grammy for Album of the Year, and they’ve also won critical acclaim for their live shows.

Pixies

The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. The group disbanded acrimoniously in 1993, but reunited in 2004. With tinges of pop, punk and surf rock, their music influenced a generation of bands including Nirvana, Radiohead and Blur.

Nirvana

Nirvana was an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. It was founded by singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. Nirvana went through a succession of drummers, the longest-lasting and best-known being Dave Grohl, who joined in 1990. Though often referred to as a grunge band, the style of their music incorporated heavy metal and punk rock influences. Nirvana’s success brought alternative rock into the mainstream in the early 1990s.

They have sold over 75 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. In 1996, Cobain committed suicide at age 27, leaving Novoselic and Grohl as the only surviving members. Since the death of Cobain, numerous tribute albums have been released and various novelty songs co-written by Cobain have surfaced posthumously.

Smashing Pumpkins

Formed in Chicago in 1988, the Smashing Pumpkins released their debut album Gish in 1991. The band experienced success with their second album Siamese Dream, which was certified diamond in the United States. The group followed up Siamese Dream with the double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. For their next two albums, Adore and Machina/The Machines of God, the band struggled with lineup changes and drug addiction. In 2000, they released their final album, Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music. Smashing Pumpkins have been cited as an influence by many newer alternative rock bands.