After a decade dominated by Pop, and R&B is the stage set for the return of the Indie guitar band? We explore the modern history of the guitar band and shine a spotlight on 5 new bands to watch.
The Birth of Grunge
In the early nineties, guitar bands ruled the airwaves and the charts. Nirvana released Nevermind in 1991, and it felt like the world had changed. The biting intensity and realism of grunge blew away the big-hair soft rock of the eighties. It was urgent, passionate, and real. The popularity of Nirvana opened the floodgates for a host of other guitar bands to be thrust into the limelight, Pixies, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Screaming Trees, Live, Soundgarden Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Hole to name just a few.
Cool Brittania and Brit Pop
A few years later in 1997, Cool Britannia hit in the UK as Tony Blair’s New Labour swept aside the Tories in an election landslide. There was a new sense of optimism and pride in the United Kingdom and guitar bands once again provided the soundtrack. The charts were dominated by the battle of Britpop with Oasis Blur and Pulp and once again these bands paved the way for others including Ocean Colour Scene, Suede, Supergrass and Elastica.
The Strokes
The third wave was powered by The Strokes. Their oh-so-cool debut ‘Is This It’ released in 2001 paved the way for The White Stripes, Kings of Leon, Hives and Interpol among others. The first two movements were seen as the youth response to periods of high unemployment and economic hardship. The Strokes emerged as the Twin Towers fell and the war on Iraq raged.
The Decline of Bands
Over the past decade, the UK music charts have witnessed a notable decline in the prominence of bands. In the early 1980s, bands occupied the number one spot for 146 weeks, and in the early 1990s, for 141 weeks. However, in the first half of the 2020s, bands have held the top position for only three weeks, with one of those attributed to the AI-fuelled return of The Beatles and another to Little Mix, hardly the cutting-edge new wave indie fans were hoping for.
What’s caused this decline? Record labels have recognised it’s cheaper to sign and develop solo artists. Meanwhile, the grassroots music venues once the incubators of next-wave talent have been shutting down at an alarming rate, reducing the pipeline of new talent. But now in a Post Brexit world, which has witnessed the inexplicable second coming of Trump and the divisive hatred and misogynism of Tate are we primed for the next coming of indie bands, there are some positive signs.
Fontaines D.C. Spark The Revival
In 2019 Fontaines D.C. released their debut Dogrel and we got very excited. This was a noticeable raising of the bar for indie rock. Irish punk contenders Slyrydes threatened to keep the momentum going, but failed to sustain the early hype. When Wunderhorse was formed in 2020 it felt significant. Their debut Cub in 2022 felt wonderfully familiar, the nouveau grunge sound bridged the gap between Nirvana and early Radiohead and things started to get exciting again. They toured with Fontaines D.C. and released their second album Midas in August. Meanwhile, Fontaines shared their third album Romance which further threatened the mainstream.
This time it feels like the Calvary is coming with a plethora of exciting new indie rock bands waiting in the wings. To celebrate the return of indie, we’ve picked out some names to watch and have created a new Indie Rising playlist.
Five essential new bands to watch:
1. Telescreens
New Yorkers’ Telescreens released their debut album 7 in October. The album contains a weighty 16 tracks and feels like a treasure chest of gold. Different enough to maintain interest and cohesive enough to hang together as a collective body of work. It’s powerful, passionate and poetic in equal measure. Opener ‘Times Like These’ wastes no time, it’s a shot in the arm for indie. The intensity continues until track 6 where we are treated to Blue Interlude a moment of poetic reflection. The transition from poetry to album standout ‘Stare’ already feels iconic, this album is significant. The ramshackle, honky tonk blues of ‘Johnny’ is joyous and heartbreaking in equal measure and the realism bites hard. There is still time for the visceral intensity of Floods and a wonderful reprise of Commotion this time with skittish beats. Make 7 essential listening and be in no doubt, this is the debut of the year.
2. Bby
Bby is an electrifying indie rock band known for their bold sound and unapologetic style. Their debut album, 1, showcases a dynamic mix of gritty guitar riffs, infectious melodies, and introspective lyrics, solidifying their place in the indie music scene. The standout single, Kinky, has become a fan favourite, celebrated for its edgy, danceable rhythm and provocative energy. Renowned for their raw and captivating live performances, Bby continues to push creative boundaries.
3. Exiles
Exploding out of Melbourne, Australia our next band in the spotlight are four-piece EXILES. Their singles “Wasting Away’ recalls the excitement of The Strokes while ‘Get Down’ and ‘Star’ are loaded with a swagger and attitude that is impossible to ignore. This is a band that is already destined for greatness and the journey has barely begun.
In an ambitious move to channel this live energy into their recordings, Exiles teamed up with renowned producer Alex Markwell, known for his work with The Delta Riggs, Portugal The Man, to capture the essence of their sound. Their debut album Waiting For Romance is set for release on December 13th and the anticipation is building at pace.
4. Krooked Kings
Krooked Kings, an indie rock band from Salt Lake City, Utah, has been making waves with their authentic sound and heartfelt lyrics. The band’s journey began when lead singer Oliver Martin, after completing a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, returned home and reconnected with high school friends to form the group. Their music, characterized by introspective themes and a blend of indie rock and surf influences, resonates with listeners navigating the complexities of young adulthood. The band’s debut album, “The Comedown,” released in 2021, explores themes of self-discovery and personal growth. Their latest album “Shiver” comes complete with the band’s distinctive blend of dreamy indie and grunge-tinged guitars.
5. The Deenys
The Deenys, an indie rock band from Perth’s northern suburbs, bring a unique sound influenced by their UK and Irish roots combined with Australian indie vibes. Their music blends punchy guitar riffs, heartfelt lyrics, and infectious melodies, carving out a distinct presence in Perth’s music scene. Known for their noughties-inspired UK indie feel, The Deenys have shared stages with prominent Australian artists during regional tours and have also supported The Charlatans, Ride and The Inspiral Carpets.
Discover more on our Indie Revival Playlist
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Words Mark Knight
