To me, as a music critic, bands are like my very own babies — objects so personal and close to my heart, I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite, unless you paid me extra. But EW is taking on that maddeningly Sophie’s Choice decision in an upcoming print piece, and we want reader input! I realize that "indie" is a nebulous term these days, but let’s just say that Sonic Youth, whether or not they’re now on a big, corporate-teat-sucking major label, absolutely still count. They are freaks. Good freaks. As are Modest Mouse, the Flaming Lips (pictured), Built to Spill, and a number of other truly fantastic bands that just happen to be on major labels now. And it also stands to reason that there are some amazing artists I’m not yet aware of who may still, at this moment, be selling homemade tapes from the back of a burned-out van.
Sorry, but they don’t count here because we are talking about 25 classics, straight up. Was it all downhill when the blistering punk power of acts like the Stooges, X, and Wire dissipated? Do you pine for the all-American glory days of ’80s all-stars Hüsker Dü, the Pixies, and the Replacements? Is it the ’90s boom — Sebadoh, Bonnie Prince Billy, Tortoise, Guided By Voices, Yo La Tengo, etc. — that still makes your heart beat beneath your Captain Beefheart t-shirt? Or do you look to Cool Britannia, at names like the Smiths, My Bloody Valentine, PJ Harvey, the Stone Roses, The Cure, Joy Division? Do artists who’ve had major commercial success (R.E.M., Radiohead, Björk, Talking Heads, Nirvana, Pearl Jam) not belong here? We can’t keep the kiddies away either —t hose Shins and Strokes and Arcade Fires and other indie-come-latelies.
Already, my head is a too-full colander of personal favorites: The White Stripes! Dinosaur Jr! Fugazi! Pavement! Elliott Smith! Oh my God, I’m just going to have to shut up. And pass it on to you, readers. Who has the catalogue, the talent, the longevity to belong in a list of only 25 great indie bands?
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Replacements, Pavement, and the Pixies!
Aimee Mann – Yes, this singer/songwriter made her debut with the hit “Voices Carry” twenty years ago, but she has shown how an artist can remain independent by changing the way she does business in her later years. It’s unlikely that you’ll see one of her CDs at Wal-Mart or hear her songs on the radio, but this former pop star has crafted some of the finest displays of emotion and has a devoted following. That’s a true indie for you.
I think that REM is still an indie band, and one of the best, as along with the White Stripes.
But in this decade I have to say that Death Cab For Cutie.
I think that REM is still an indie band, and one of the best, as along with the White Stripes.
But in this decade I have to say that Death Cab For Cutie.
Put The Pixies firmly at the top of the list. Best. Band. Ever.
Truly indie Florida band Bernard should definitely be on the list.
The Ramones. Not only did they create a genre they worked their tails off for years to get the respect they deserved.
The Minutemen, The Pixies, Pavement, Uncle Tupelo, and Husker Du are hard to beat.
There are still a lot of great indie bands out there, The Walk Up, Albert Hammond Jr, Midnight Movies etc. Personally for me, I still consider older indie bands that hit it big (Nirvana, Radiohead) to be indie because kids still have to find them. Of the ones mentioned, I’m going with the Strokes.
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Pavement!!!
X!!! (and the Knitters)
Replacements!!!
Pavement!!!
X!!! (and the Knitters)
Replacements!!!
pixies!
built to spill!
tuscadero!
dinosaur jr!
Great topic, byut you and EW have to do a waaaaaay better job of defining “Indie Band” – is it only punk/alt-rock? Never had a major label success? Really unclear, but WTF i’ll take a stab:
R.E.M.
1) GRATEFUL DEAD
2) FLAMING LIPS
3) DEAD KENNEDYS
4) THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
5) THE RAMONES
6) RADIOHEAD
7) THIEVERY CORPORATION
9) NOMEANSNO
10) THE SUGARCUBES
The Smiths, Depeche Mode, Joy Divison, The Cure–They have influenced generations of kids to pick up guitars and put their bad poetry to music. Many of today’s bands–The Klllers, Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco, etc.–wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for these legends. End of story.
Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Beck (one-man band?), Sigur Ros, Magnetic Fields, Sloan, Sleater-Kinney, Handsome Family, Robbie Fulks, Canasta
Hanson is by far the best indie band I know. I am sure everyone remembers their 1997 hit MMMBop, but since then, the band has gone on their own. They now have their own record label, 3CG Records, and are doing their own thing. Their music has prgressed into an amazing rock sound that is very hard to stop listening to. Check out their new stuff on hanson.net
Sigur Ros
Sufjan Stevens
Arcade Fire
Although they are my favorite bands of the world, you definitely cannot count bands like The Flaming Lips and Radiohead, since they do (or did for Radiohead) have the major labels backing and supporting them for a number of years during their rise to fame.
Guided by Voices and/or Robert Pollard. Dozens of releases, more than 1,000 songs, most of them good. Their story is amazing, their career arc comically tragic and their business acumen otherworldly. Check out http://www.tirbd.com/min for My Impression Now, a song-by-song look at the genius.
Scissor Sisters!
I think Stiff Kittens/Warsaw/Joy Division/New Order should definitely be included as few indie-origin bands have ever shown such a musical versatility. Other than that, what would this list be without the Sex Pistols.
sure they only “broke through” just last year on a couple of music blogs and a host of critics lists, but Deerhunter have quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. they perfectly embody the DIY culture usually associated with “indie” music. their lives shows are legendary. and on their blog, band members post new, unreleased music seemlingly every twenty minutes!! you just know that a major label wouldn’t stand for that!!
when it comes down to it EVERY band and for that matter label was at one time an “indie”. so, which ever 25 bands you like would compile the 25 all time best indie band. and yes in my opinion the ramones would probably top that list.
I was going to say Fugazi, but Ms. Greenblatt is totally on the money and mentioned them.
That said, they deserve the props. Ian Mckay, Fugazi, Minor Threat and their indy label Dischord Records have not only helped to create straightedge AND Emo, but they’ve continued to support local bands while keeping their Independent label truly independent.
f you’re definition is that they haven’t kowtowed to a label then Led Zeppelin hits the nail on the head, yet no one would call them “indie” because of their success. Likewise the Barenaked Ladies are still doing the same thing as when they were “indie” but are likely considered too “pop”.
What you’re really trying to articulate is some not-quite-definable measure of coolness around artists who are perceived to defy the mainstream and live by their own rules. The reality is that “rebellion” has been the most consistent marketing ploy since popular music was invented. I play in a band that covers 70s punk, yet I have no illusions that the Sex Pistols and the Spice Girls are any different. It’s not to suggest that many artist are not sincere about being “indie” but we should also be able to laugh at ourselves as fans for buying into the marketing.
PAVEMENT. Spoon is a very very close second. Other great indie bands (and, I tend to think in the 90s and beyond): Pixies, Destroyer, Giant Sand/Howe Gelb, Neutral Milk Hotel, Sleater-Kinney, Quasi, Silver Jews, Guided by Voices, The Magnetic Fields, Palace/Palace Brothers/anything with Will Oldham, Big Black, Shellac, Neko Case.
I’m sure that I could keep going with this list, but I’ll stop for now.
spoon
modest mouse
dispatch (only indie band to ever sell out madison square garden)
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs! Karen O is pretty crazy and amazing, and if you don’t tear up a little bit at “Maps,” then there’s no hope for you.
hanson, hanson. hanson, hanson and oh yeah hanson haha
Pavement, unquestionably Pavement. If they’re not number 1 on your list or in your top 5, I’ll be confused.