We’ve selected 11 guitar bands of varying severity and popularity, from Amenra and ’68 to the Foo Fighters and Enter Shikari.
1. Foo Fighters
Probably the most famous band on the list, headed by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl. However, since 1996 he has written so many good and not at all “Nirvana” songs, that the mention of this eternal title of the ex-drummer of the great band could be omitted.
Foo Fighters is recognisable, fairly formatted guitar music with an optimal balance of lyricism and assertiveness.With three guitarists, a charismatic vocalist who turns even a broken leg into a performance highlight, and an ever-expanding set of hits, Foo Fighters are a band to follow and whose old albums can be listened to with pleasure.For all their conventional format and popularity, the Foo Fighters aren’t Nickelback and don’t annoy almost anyone. Maybe that’s why they packed Wembley for a two-night gig in 2008, and why a thousand musicians performed their Learn to Fly in 2015.
2. At the Drive-In
At the Drive-In is a post-hardcore band from America, but its roots are more likely to be found somewhere in Mexico and Puerto Rico. The band existed from 1993 to 2001, after which frontmen Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez changed direction towards progressive rock and formed The Mars Volta. Since then, At the Drive-In has had two attempts of reunification, and the second, which happened in 2016, seems to have been a success.In more than twenty years, the band has matured: Omar no longer dances with his guitar and Cedric’s microphone stands no longer fly so high above the stage. But along with the members, the music has matured, and the live shows have only reduced the insanity, remaining perky and interesting.
3. ’68
The first duo on our list is the project of Josh Skogin (ex-vocalist of Norma Jean and The Chariot) and drummer Michael McClellan, who was replaced by Nico Yamada last autumn. The music of ’68, like all of Josh’s projects, has an expressive presentation and the performances are particularly spectacular, with acrobatic stunts and guitars flying over the stage. The music here is rather monotonous, though unconventional, ’68 being a noisy punk rock with fuzz guitars and aggressive vocals. We recommend ’68 to fans of Jack White, Nirvana and previous Josh Skogin projects.
4. DZ Deathrays
DZ Deathrays is a hardcore dance-punk from Australia, not full of complicated melodies and extra parts – there is almost always only one guitar, one vocals and drums. As the example of DZ Deathrays and ’68 shows, that’s enough. We also recommend you to pay attention to the DZ Deathrays’ videos – they are rather funny, especially the ones with Shane and Simon drinking.
5. Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age’s roots lie somewhere in stoner rock, but in reality it is, as always, much more complicated than that. The band’s albums differ from each other and incorporate very different influences, though the music remains recognisable.Quite simply, Queens of the Stone Age is a kind of particularly stylish and aristocratic, riff-driven alternative rock.
The band released a great album last year and even featured in our August selection. The early Queens of the Stone Age albums have a lot to offer too, so we recommend downloading the whole discography at once or at least some Greatest Hits playlist.
6. Mogwai
There was a time when there was so much canonical post-rock with formulaic tracks, sound and arrangements that the genre lost its relevance: many of the popular projects of the noughties broke up, the audience of others decreased noticeably. But there are a few active bands that are still interesting to listen to today, and one of them is the Scottish-built fathers Mogwai.
Mogwai is atmospheric music with a guitar-driven shoegaze sound, experimenting with size and sometimes borrowing from other genres. The Scots manage to remain as diverse as possible within such a narrow genre as post-rock. If this is the first time you’ve heard anything at all, Mogwai is the best way to get to know the style.
7. Enter Shikari
Enter Shikari combine the guitar post-hardcore of the noughties with an electronic sound, and powerful breakdowns with a beautiful pop melody. That can be said about at least 80% of the band’s work.The Brits’ latest album is almost without overdriven guitars and extreme vocals – apparently, the urge to make stadium-format music has not passed over Enter Shikari either. Fortunately, the recognisable voices, pleasant melodies, some electronic chips and social lyrics remain in place, so we recommend listening to the entire discography, from Take to the Skies 2007 to what Enter Shikari are doing now.
8. The Raveonettes
To call The Raveonettes a rock band is not at all desirable: their music certainly has fuelled guitars and a garage-like sound, but in terms of expression and evoked emotions the Danes are closer to some kind of shoegaze or drip-pop.At the same time, The Raveonettes don’t abuse ambient influences, their songs always have a nice crisp melody and uncomplicated beat. Recommended to all fans of the above styles, as well as post-punk and combinations of male and female voices.
9. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Perhaps the most prolific of today’s bands, who manage to combine performance with a good quality of music. In 2017 only, Australians King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard had five full-length releases. And all are listenable.If you’re looking for modern psychedelic music with a throwback to the 60s and 70s, have nothing against the fact that the bass can play a single note for eight minutes, and are willing to listen to a really great deal of music – you know what to do.
10. The Fever 333
The band, founded last year by vocalist Jason Butler from Letlive, guitarist Stephen Harrison from The Chariot and Aric Improta from Night Verses. Musically, The Fever 333 is much closer to the frontman’s project – it’s rapcore with a touch of Rage Against the Machine or early Linkin Park. We recommend it to all fans of expressive vocals and conditionally formal alternative rock.
11. Amenra
We continue the excursion through the musical genres. The next ones are post-metal and sludge, characterized by a heavy sound, slow tempo of songs, often aggressive vocals and guitars playing in low registers. Belgian band Amenra is one of the brightest current representatives of this music. Gloomy, sad and heavy. The most extreme item in our selection.
