Who has been the best / most influential band of the last 30 years?

DrummerMan

DrummerMan

Well-known member
Some basic outlines:

• Bands formed since 1990
• Three or more members
• Probably 'success' on both sides of the Atlantic

For me personally, it's hard to look past the Foo Fighters, I guess some would say Nirvana but didn't they form in the late 1980s?

Others would say Oasis, but did they really 'crack' America? They are mainly a one-hit wonder for Wonderwall

Then you have the 1990s - early 2000's pop punk stuff - Greenday, Blink 182, etc - they were all successful and quite influential

The same could be said for the nu-metal era - Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, etc

I guess you could also mention bands like the Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Muse, etc as well
 
I think Radiohead were formed late 80s but yes one of the first bands I immediately thought of.
 
I'd say Radiohead.

The influence of bands like The Libertines and Arctic Monkeys were great but quite limited.

Influential I think, but I suppose P J Harvey should be seen as a solo artist rather than a band and Daft Punk are a duo.

I reckon The (Dixie) Chicks are worth a mention because not only have they been influential (and very good) for modern and alt country music, they have been influential as an all girl group, paved the way for crossover into pop for the likes of Taylor Swift and others, but they have been significant politically. Their outspoken stance against Bush on Iraq led to a huge backlash in America but has been vindicated and they have been quite important in their support for other protests such as #MeToo and BLM.

It's quite something for a white all girl country group to gain the respect and solidarity of black male hip hop artists.
 
Radiohead for me as well, as it can be argued they weren't particularly influential before they'd released their first material (in the 90s).

Blur probably the second most influential 90s britpop band?

Bjork, Pavement and Elliot Smith as well.
 
DrummerMan said:
Some basic outlines:

• Bands formed since 1990
• Three or more members
• Probably 'success' on both sides of the Atlantic

For me personally, it's hard to look past the Foo Fighters, I guess some would say Nirvana but didn't they form in the late 1980s?

Others would say Oasis, but did they really 'crack' America? They are mainly a one-hit wonder for Wonderwall

Then you have the 1990s - early 2000's pop punk stuff - Greenday, Blink 182, etc - they were all successful and quite influential

The same could be said for the nu-metal era - Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, etc

I guess you could also mention bands like the Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Muse, etc as well
Click to expand...
Without Nirvana being influential, you wouldn't have ever had the Foo Fighters (any many other bands), and I'm a big fan of both.

Nirvana only really got going into the mainstream when they ditched Sub-Pop, and started working on Nevermind, but that wasn't going well until Grohl got on board and Butch Vig producing etc. Without the latter two they wouldn't have been anywhere near as big and that was 90's onwards. Not saying Bleach wasn't good mind, as it really was, but it was never goign to be mainstream or influential.

I don't know many who list Foo Fighters as their favourite band, especially not after There is Nothing Left to Lose, which was terrible compared to the Colour and the Shape or the self titled first album. The funny thing is Dave did everything on the first album, and I think they got picked up without relying on Grohl's name as he sent the tape out anonymous.

Oasis is a fair shout too, especially for the UK, moreso than Radiohead I think.

I don't think Radiohead really influenced many bands, as nobody could match what they did, but most people into rock appreciated them, and more the UK than anywhere.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top