Can anyone update me on current Alternative/Rock/Punk music?

Question

I’ve been away from the current Alternative/Rock/Punk scene for a while immersing myself in the classics: Nirvana, Jane’s Addiction, Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, The Ramones, etc. I feel a little lost in this new era of Alternative/Rock/Punk. Can anyone give me a little update? Who are the bands to listen to?

Answer 1

In this scene, I'm not suprised that you might be a little swamped in the current alternative scene. Spit in the air and it'll land on some alternative artist or band. For right now, the most popular bands are varied in their styles. The musical quality is, in my opinon, getting better and better. I suggest perhaps buying a compilation CD. (The Vans Warped Tour serves as a medium for mainstream alternative bands to play and perform, I suggest either their 2006 or 2005 compilation CDs. For the price of $10, you get around 40 different songs from 40 different bands.) Bands which are on my list right now are Underoath, Hawthorne Heights, Panic! At The Disco, Dashboard Confessional, and Armor For Sleep. Whatever your style, there is sure to be a band you'll enjoy listening to. Good luck.

Answer 2

Not to assume, but your question makes me think you're around my age (30).

The Alternative /Rock / Punk scene today is mostly non-existent, if you listen to what's being played on the radio. Pop-Punk bands and faux rockers are tearing up the airwaves, while great bands get overlooked. There are a few exceptions, tho.

A.F.I. is a band I've followed for years, but they are only now getting attention from the masses, with their song "Miss Murder." Not at all like their older stuff, but it's a great song. I'd recommend any of their back catalog or the current album. They're all good. A older tune of theirs called "Totalimmortal" is their best, in my opinion.

Wolfmother is a band that's only recently been getting play, with their song "Woman." It's a great song, and their entire album is great. Think 70s Psychedelic Rock mixed with Alternative Rock.

Both The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tool have released a new album and are doing well on the charts. Personally, I haven't liked a thing RHCP has done since Bloodsugarsexmagic. The new release however, is pretty good. Not great, but good. I can't speak to Tool's new record. I've never really liked their music (even though their videos kick ***), so I'm a bad judge.

NoFX has also released a new album, and it kicks major ***. They're doing the same thing they've always done, so if you liked anything they've done in the past, you'll like this.

You may not have heard of Propagandhi before, but they've been around for 15 years or so. If you like NoFx, you'd love these guys. Their last album came out last year, but it's worth a listen. Fast and hard punk rock done well.

That's all I can think of, as far as the decent bands that are getting airplay. However, below is a list of some really great current artists that are less well known, but I think would fit your tastes, based on who you mentioned as classics.

The Thieves - http://thebandofthieves.com/
Xrayok - http://xrayok.com/
Matt Pond PA - http://mattpondpa.com/
The Shins - http://theshins.com/
Maritime - http://maritimesongs.com/
Guajiro - http://guajiromusic.com/
The Attorneys - http://www.theattorneysband.com/
Chance - http://www.mynameischance.com/
The Perishers - http://theperishers.com

Hope this rambling answer helps.

Answer 3

Some of the best of the last ten years are Placebo, The White Stripes, Foo Fighters, Radiohead
In the last five years, appear bands like The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, Coldplay, Interpol, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
From last year: Arctic Monkeys, Arcade Fire, Kasabian, Claps Your Hands Say Yeah
Some belgian bands are very good: Deus, Ghinzu, Millionnaire

This is not an exhaustive list but a good start ;)

Answer 4

I'm in the same boat. Alternative radio is playing a lot of Panic At the Disco, Fallout Boy, etc, which really doesn't grab my attention. But here are some Brit bands that I really like: Hard-Fi, Maximo Park, Nine Black Alps.

Answer 5

NOFX, Screeching Weasel, Common Rider, The Vindictives, The Muffs, Green Day!

Answer 6

Stick with what you're listening to. Trust me. None of the stuff on the radio can compare to the bands you've listed. You'd be doing yourself a great favor to keep your head in the sand.

Speaking of Jane's Addiction, did you ever get into Porno For Pyros? And have you given Frank Black's new stuff a listen?

Answer 7

sub-genres is the key word in alternative these days.
Emo, Pop-Punk, Hardcore, ect.
most of the stuff out there is total crap. but some of it is pretty catchy. some of the indie stuff is interesting these days. the must-listen-to bands vary a lot. the "cool" bands in one style could get you beat up in another...it's kind of pathetic.
bands: motion city soundtrack, death cab for cuties, afi, coheed and cambria, angels and airwaves, Bright Eyes, dashboard confessional, fall out boy, punchline, panic! at the disco, brand new, thrice, cute is what we aim for, horse the band, thursday, taking back sunday, the early november, halifax, the academy is...
i'd be happy to recommend some more bands, if given a little more direction as far as what you're looking for in your favorite new alternative band.

Answer 8

I am a teen and I still listen to that kind of stuff. My current favorite band is Nirvana, and I listen to ALL their stuff. Not just Teen Spirit. Nirvana, Ramones, Chilli Peppers, Hendrix, GNR, most kids in my school listen to that still.

Answer 9

Well the bands that have pretty good songs that are current in my opinion are Avenged Sevenfold(listen to Waking the Fallen) AFI, Opeth, Tool.

Answer 10

ummmm...
The Exies are pretty good. Have you heard The Toadies? They're older too I think. Just go through the genres on iTunes or something.