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This is a list of notable indie rock artists. Individual musicians are listed alphabetically by their last name.
- Arctic Monkeys
- The Strokes
- The Smiths
- Sonic Youth
- Pixies
- Oasis
- Radiohead
- The White Stripes
- Nirvana
- The Cure
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...
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 a...
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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.
- The Smiths. Morrissey (1982 to 1987) Manchester, England. 1982 to 1987. Post-Punk, Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Alternative Rock. Known for their poetic lyricism, chiming guitar, and sensitive melancholia, The Smiths is one of the most prolific indie rock bands of all time.
- Pixies. Black Francis (1986 to 1993, 2004 to Present) Boston, Massachusetts. 1986 to 1993, 2004 to Present. Indie Rock, Alternative Rock, Noise Pop.
- Joy Division. Ian Curtis (1976 to 1980) Salford, England. 1976 to 1980. Post-Punk, New Wave, Gothic Rock, Indie Rock. Despite being a band for a mere four years, Joy Division was one of the most unique music groups to emerge during the latter half of the 1970s, helping define the post-punk sound.
- Sonic Youth. Kim Gordon (1981 to 2011) New York City, New York. 1981 to 2011. Indie Rock, Noise Rock, Experimental Rock, Post-Punk. Perhaps one of the earliest indie rock bands, Sonic Youth emerged from the New York City no-wave art and music scene, becoming one of the most influential noise-rock bands that truly experimented with classic rock guitar.
Dec 21, 2023 · The 40 Best Indie-Rock Albums of 2023. Mitski, Yo La Tengo, Sufjan Stevens, and more. By Rolling Stone. December 21, 2023. Photo illustration by Matthew Cooley. Photographs in illustration by...
Mar 13, 2024 · Indie rock originated during the late ’70s as a haven for alternative rock and punk artists to record music with underground, independent record labels, and some have been quite successful. Thus in this post, we’ll go over 13 of the greatest and most famous indie rock bands to hit the airwaves. Read on! Table of Contents. 1. R.E.M.
