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This is a list of notable indie rock artists. Individual musicians are listed alphabetically by their last name. Individual musicians are listed alphabetically by their last name. This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness.
- 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...
noise rock. 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.
- Early to mid–1980s, United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand
Mar 5, 2013 · A list of the 50 most influential indie rock bands, selected for their contribution to the genre and their sound. The list includes The Unicorns, Spoon, Bright Eyes, The Flaming Lips, Radiohead, and more. Find out how these bands influenced the indie rock scene and how their music influenced future generations.
- Harmonicait
- Buzzfeed Staff
- 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.
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Discover the top indie rock bands and artists from around the world, with millions of listeners and scrobbles. Browse by name, popularity, genre, or location and find new music to love.
Mar 13, 2024 · Learn about the origins, styles, and achievements of 13 indie rock bands that have shaped the genre since the late '70s. From R.E.M. to The Strokes, discover the stories behind these influential artists and their albums.
