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- The Cure. 2,578 votes. Emerging from the post-punk scene in the late 1970s, this influential group's unique blend of gloomy lyrics and melodic tunes has made them a staple in the world of indie music.
- Joy Division. 2,223 votes. As pioneers of the post-punk movement, this British band's dark and introspective sound captivated audiences in the late '70s and early '80s.
- Gorillaz. 2,478 votes. This groundbreaking virtual band introduced the world to a unique fusion of alternative rock, electronica, hip-hop, and pop that defied genre boundaries.
- Pixies. 2,961 votes. Formed in the mid-1980s, this American band's innovative mix of surf rock, punk, and noise-pop helped set the stage for the alternative rock explosion of the '90s.
- Arctic Monkeys
- The Strokes
- The Smiths
- Sonic Youth
- Pixies
- Oasis
- Radiohead
- The White Stripes
- Nirvana
- The Cure
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Arctic Monkeys was founded in 2002 and became popular entirely due to the internet. It was one of the first times a band gained notoriety of that level outside of traditional marketing, waking people up to the potential for promoting new bands online. They eventually broke into mainstream success with their 2013 single Do I Wanna Know? which reache...
The Strokes formed in 1998 and ended up becoming a major part of the indie rock revival in the US. Their 2001 EP The Modern Age brought in a lot of interest from labels and they eventually signed with RCA Records. They’re still going strong with their 2020 album The New Abnormal, winning the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album. Overall, they have over...
The Smiths were always independent, from their formation in 1982 until their breakup in 1987. The band signed with an independent record label in 1983 and released a debut, self-titled album in 1984. All of their albums reached the top five of the UK charts, with Meat Is Murderreaching the number-one spot in 1985. Next: Greatest rock bands from the...
Sonic Youth remained independent for a good chunk of their career. They originally came out of the no-wave art scene in underground circles in New York during the late 70s. Eventually, they turned into a more mainstream rock band, especially after signing with a major label in 1990. One of the key elements of their music is unorthodox rock guitar s...
Pixies were originally formed as an alt-rock band that focused most of their music on punk and surf rock with a lot of loud-soft-loud shifts to their songs. They had a big influence on other bands like Nirvana, Radiohead, and Weezer. They were also more popular in Europe than in the US, though in recent years, they’ve found more mainstream success ...
Oasis formed in 1991 and went on to sign with the independent label Creation Records in 1993. Their third album, Be Here Now, was released in 1997 and became the fastest-selling record in UK history. They’ve become one of the most successful groups of all time, selling over 70 million records worldwidewhile remaining mostly independent. Over time, ...
Radiohead is an English rock band that was critical in making alternative rock what it is today. After signing with EMI in 1991, they released their debut single Creep, which would go on to become a worldwide hit and is still played today. In their history, they have sold over 30 million records worldwide, won six Grammy Awards, and have been named...
The White Stripes originated as part of the Detroit music scene and were responsible for part of the garage rock scene during the early 2000s. Before signing to a label, they had already released three albums. They’re best known for the low-fidelity quality approach of their music and indelible fashion sense. The White Stripes’ most recognizable si...
Nirvana established itself in Seattle in the 80s as part of the grunge scene, releasing its first album with an independent label before signing to DGC Records in 1991. Their music mixes some pop melodies with traditional noise rock to create a most unique sound. From humble beginnings, they would go on to become one of the best-selling groups of a...
The Cure experimented with a few different sounds throughout their album releases, originally starting out in the post-punk scene, before moving to darker music and then toward pop styles. Their 1986 singles compilation Standing On A Beach broke four million sales within three years. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fameafter 1...
A list of the best indie rock bands from different eras and genres, from Arctic Monkeys to R.E.M., with brief introductions and facts. Learn about their history, achievements, and influences on the indie rock scene.
- Margaret Glaspy, ‘Echo the Diamond’ Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy’s songs have a rangy, improvisational feel that makes her best lines and sharpest epiphanies land with a unique offhanded power.
- Feeble Little Horse, ‘Girl With Fish’ This Pittsburg band creates sweet, violent little sound worlds on their second full-length LP, mixing bright noise and tense, tender twee pop to create a sense of comfort and dislocation that makes every song feel surprising.
- Lydia Loveless, ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stand in My Way’ “I want the rush of knowing that I did the right thing for once,” Lydia Loveless sings on “Do the Right Thing,” a standout from her sixth album.
- Greg Mendez, ‘Greg Mendez’ “I don’t mind if you stay tonight, it’s just another promise you never meant,” Greg Mendez sings on the opener of his self-titled album.
- Names Without Numbers. I am so excited for this band’s new album/EP, you don’t even know. After the band released the single “Empire on Fire” in 2021 and new single, “You Do The Talking”, a month ago (2022), you know you are in for quite a surprise.
- The Interrupters. Whoa now, settle down, I know what you’re about to say. Hear me out, this is an absolutely stellar band led by a fiery female vocalist (Aimee) that is unlike any other playing right now in 2022.
- Light The Way. So Light The Way and Nate Parrish are virtually tied for this entry but I have separated them by one point nonetheless. I guess Nate gets a point taken off for ruining Indie Vision Music with his “single” release so there’s that 😉 Anyway, this band just dropped their full length “Long Story Short” and it’s everything you loved about the band’s prior releases but with even more diversity in sounds and the presence of Christian Moore’s dual vocals alongside frontman/guitarist – Andrew Carlin.
- Nate Parrish. Nate Parrish has appeared on a couple of these “lists” the past few years so I am regurgitating the same plot lines which is, you must check out the music of Nate Parrish!
- Revival Hymns. This Finnish indie-leaning rock band is turning heads and inspiring a generation of music fan to rethink what is considered “worship” and “Praise” music.
- Too Bad Eugene. Too Bad Eugene are a dynamic pop-punk trio that have been led by Adam Nigh since the very beginning, right after he left his first national band, Craig’s Brother.
- Five Iron Frenzy. This band has been together since I was in diapers, in fact, they are the reason I am here today. The story goes, my parents met and fell in love to the (upbeat) sounds of their sophomore effort “Our Newest Album Ever” and 9 months later I was born!
- Starflyer 59. So how exactly does SF59 fit on this list? I wrestled with myself over this topic and almost dropped them since they are signed with a small label and have been at it for nearly 3 decades.
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Mar 5, 2013 · 1. By Caitlin White. Indie rock has transmogrified into one of the hardest genres on earth to define. Bands trying to break through love to title themselves as "indie rock" as though it were...
Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand in the early to mid-1980s. Although the term was originally used to describe rock music released through independent record labels, by the 1990s it became more widely associated with the music such bands produced.
