5 Contemporary Rock Bands You Need to Know About

Here are 5 contemporary rock bands that are making waves and shaking things up. They are sure to get your attention and get your feet moving.

1. The 1975

1. The 1975: The 1975 is a British rock band from Manchester, consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Matthew “Matty” Healy, bassist Ross MacDonald, drummer George Daniel, and rhythm guitarist Adam Hann. The band’s debut album, released in September 2013, was voted the year’s best album by NME and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Their second album, I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it, was released in February 2016 and debuted at number one in the UK and US. It topped the charts in multiple countries around the world and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.

2. Arctic Monkeys

Formed in Sheffield, England in 2002, Arctic Monkeys is a rock band consisting of Alex Turner (lead vocals, guitar), Matt Helders (drums, vocals), Jamie Cook (guitar) and Nick O’Malley (bass guitar). The band has released six studio albums: “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” (2006), “Favourite Worst Nightmare” (2007), “Humbug” (2009), “Suck It and See” (2011), “AM” (2013) and “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino” (2018).

Arctic Monkeys are often hailed as one of the first bands to emerge from the post-punk revival movement of the early 2000s. The band’s debut album was a commercial and critical success, selling more than 360,000 copies in its first week and winning the 2006 Mercury Prize. The band has since achieved global success, selling over 8 million albums worldwide.

3. Radiohead

Radiohead is an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Colin Greenwood (bass), Phil Selway (drums) and Ed O’Brien (guitar). They have worked with producer Nigel Godrich and cover artist Stanley Donwood since 1994. After signing to EMI in 1991, Radiohead released their debut single “Creep” in 1992. It became a worldwide hit after the release of their debut album, Pablo Honey (1993).

4. Red Hot Chili Peppers

4. Red Hot Chili Peppers: One of the most popular rock bands of the past three decades, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have continued to evolve and create innovative and exciting music. With hits like “Californication” and “Can’t Stop,” the Chili Peppers have maintained a strong presence in the rock world.

5. Nirvana

Nirvana was a grunge rock band thatformed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. The band was founded by singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. Nirvana released their debut album, Bleach, in 1989. The album was a commercial failure, but it gained the band a cult following. Nirvana’s second album, Nevermind, was released in 1991 and became a huge commercial success. The album propelled the band to superstardom and made grunge rock the biggest musical movement of the 1990s. Cobain became a reluctant celebrity and struggled with the pressures of fame. He died of an apparent suicide in 1994 at the age of 27. After Cobain’s death, Nirvana was disbanded and Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl went on to form the Foo Fighters.