Indie Rock Bands

Indie rock started in the early 80s to branch out and flourish in the US and UK, due to the influence of alternative rock bands at the time. The terms indie rock and alternative rock have begun to be used interchangeably in the music industry and both have managed to gather an impressive mass of followers.

What is indie rock actually? It is or, better said, used to be music produced by independent, low-budget recording studios. Solo artists and bands signed to these labels made music that could be described as underground, or do-it-yourself, that did not conform to commercial music produced at major label companies.

Even though indie artists are not only limited to the small record labels now, due to promotion available on the internet, they keep their style of music and stay away from clichés. The indie music genre began in the 70s with punk, and generally rebellious music. The Velvet Underground and the New York Dolls were among the first names to start the genre in New York.

Following was a list that included the Ramones, Patti Smith or the Dictators in the US and The Clash, the Sex Pistols and Buzzcocks in the UK. The genre evolved in what is known as New Wave, bringing artists like Elvis Costello or Blondie. The original alternative rock genre spread into even more sub-genres, incorporating elements of synth-pop, disco, dub and other electronic elements.

The Cure, The Raincoats, as well as Siouxsie & the Banshees, were representative of the new sub-genres, while the latter, along with Sisters of Mercy and Baushaus contained Goth elements. Noise rock followed with artists like Big Black and Swans.

The 90s brought with them artists like Pearl Jam and Nirvana, who were making mostly grunge rock, and punk revival bands like The Offspring and Green Day became popular later on. At the turn of the century The White Stripes, The Vines, The Hives and The Strokes made indie rock history.

The most popular bands of today, who have enjoyed enormous success, while still remaining faithful to their indie roots are The Black Keys, The Killers, The Kooks, Kaiser Chiefs, Placebo, Jimmy Eat World, Paramore, Modest Mouse and My Chemical Romance, among many other very talented and original artists.