Psychedelic Rock Bands You Need to Know About Today
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Psychedelic rock is making a comeback in the music scene, and there are some great bands leading the charge. Here are some of the best psychedelic rock bands you need to know about today.
The Psychedelic Furs
Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psych rock or garage rock, is a subgenre of rock music that is inspired, influenced, or representative of psychedelic culture. Psychedelic rock often employs distorted guitars, feedback, and extreme levels of volume. The Psychedelic Furs are a British rock band formed in 1977.
The Psychedelic Furs’ sound
The Psychedelic Furs are an English rock band founded in London in February 1977. The initial line-up included Richard Butler (vocals), Tim Butler (bass), Duncan Kilburn (saxophone), Paul Wilson (drums) and Roger Morris (guitar). By 1979, this lineup had expanded to include John Ashton (guitar) and Vince Ely (drums).
The band’s music went through several phases, starting out as British post-punk inspired proto-gothic rock, before moving towards pop rock and new wave, with their biggest hits coming during the latter stages. The band stated that they were influenced by Roxy Music, David Bowie, Television and Sex Pistols.
The Psychedelic Furs’ sound was originally more distorted and jungly than their later work; however, their first two singles—”India” b/w “Soap Commercial” and “Leader of the Pack”—showcased the power of the group’s fuzzy guitar playing and Butler’s anguished vocals. These early singles were chart successes in Europe.
The Psychedelic Furs’ influence
The Psychedelic Furs are an English rock band founded in 1977. The mainstay of the band since its inception has been vocalist Richard Butler and his brother, bass guitarist Tim Butler. Influenced by the burgeoning post-punk scene, the Psychedelic Furs lyrics were far more intelligent and literate than many of their contemporaries.
The Psychedelic Furs’ first album, 1980’s The Psychedelic Furs, was produced by Steve Lillywhite and featured the band’s first single “We Love You”, which did not chart. The second album, 1981’s Talk Talk Talk, was also produced by Lillywhite and yielded the hit single “Pretty in Pink”, which peaked at number 3 in the UK.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The Brian Jonestown Massacre is a psychedelic rock band that was founded in San Francisco in 1990. The band’s sound is influenced by the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground, and The Zombies. The Brian Jonestown Massacre has released 17 studio albums, with their latest album being “Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?” released in 2016.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s sound
The Brian Jonestown Massacre is an American musical project and band formed in San Francisco in 1990 and led by Anton Newcombe. The group was the subject of the 2014 documentary film Dig!, directed by Ondi Timoner. They have been described by critics as one of the most prolific recording artists of the 1990s, with Newcombe’s own record label stating that they had released seventeen albums since their inception, although many of these were not widely distributed.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s sound is influenced by 60s psychedelic rock music and garage rock, as well as contemporary shoegaze, post-punk, drone music, and lo-fi acts such as Spacemen 3 and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s influence
The band was fronted by Anton Newcombe and originally from San Francisco. The group was the preeminent darlings of the San Francisco music scene in the early to mid-’90s. Their sound was a mashup of ’60s garage rock, psychedelic music, country music, and krautrock.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s influence is still being felt today by bands like The Growlers, Allah-Las, and Wand. If you’re a fan of any of those bands, then you need to check out The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
The Dandy Warhols
The Dandy Warhols are an American rock band that was formed in Portland, Oregon in 1994. The band’s sound has been described as a mix of psychedelic pop and garage rock. The Dandy Warhols have released 10 studio albums and have been praised by critics for their innovative and poppy sound.
The Dandy Warhols’ sound
Described as a “cross between The Beatles and Velvet Underground,” the Dandy Warhols play a very distinct brand of psychedelic rock. With their heavy use of reverb and delays, sitar-like guitars, and atmospheric keyboards, the band has a very dreamy sound that is perfect for driving late at night or for getting lost in your own thoughts.
The Dandy Warhols rose to prominence in the mid-’90s with their debut album, ‘Dandys Rule OK,’ which featured the hit single “Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth.” Since then, the band has released eight more studio albums, including the critically acclaimed ‘Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia,’ which featured the singles “Get Off” and “Bohemian Like You.”
If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, or if you’re just looking for something different, then you need to check out The Dandy Warhols.
The Dandy Warhols’ influence
The Dandy Warhols are an American psychedelic rock band that formed in Portland, Oregon in 1994.Beginning with a garage punk sound, the band later evolved into a more pop-influenced direction, infusing their music with strong psychedelic elements. The band’s songs often deal with themes of excess and hedonism, and their lyrics are often laced with humor and irony.
The Dandy Warhols have been credited as one of the most influential bands of the 1990s and 2000s, with many of today’s leading psychedelic rock bands drawing inspiration from their sound and style. In particular, the band’s unique blend of pop hooks and garage punk energy has served as a major influence on bands like Tame Impala, MGMT, The Flaming Lips, and Franz Ferdinand.
