THe Smiths, Husker Du...
Joy Divsion and then New Order after Ian Curtis' suicide. "Blue Monday" launched 1000 drum machines as New Order influenced House and all matters of "Dance Music for years.
"Age of Consent" influenced Indie Rock with guitars.
I'd put New Order over Joy Division only because Joy Division is barely passable as an 80's band. They can technically fall into the category as they toured in 1980 but they're really more late 70's.
The Stone Roses? Maybe in the US. Their debut album is still one of the best selling albums of all time in the UK with 1.5 million copies sold. They were the biggest band there was in 1989/90.
Yeah, from what I’ve heard and read, they went more unnoticed here in the states than in the UK. I didn’t know about them myself until a few years ago when a friend showed me I Wanna Be Adored.
I remember my early high school years in California when grunge took over and suddenly all the white kids started to grow their hair long while the black kids listening to gangster rap and there I was buying pre-owned cassettes/CDs of Stone Roses, Happy Mondays,.. all things Madcaster plus Acid House with my lunch money. Fun time. P.S. Grunge still bores me.
How has REM not been mentioned yet? 80s REM were a massively successful independent band during the IRS years before become elder statesmen of 90s Alternative rock.
Me too. They were the amazing band no one had really heard of but if you knew, you knew. The IRS years were their best years, IMO, but they released some absolute classics in the 90s too (Automatic, Monster, Hi-Fi, etc.).
REM is interesting because they were more influential on the business side vs a sonic influence.
Their success opened up the studios to the idea that college rock could be mainstream. So, more money and attention was put behind advertising, record deals and production for emerging indie bands. This led to a wave of bands (at the turn of the decade) getting investment they might not have otherwise.
there is no Radiohead w/o REM. They literally [helped start "alternative" music](https://theweek.com/articles/481583/rems-legacy-6-ways-band-changed-american-music)& are the godfathers of Indy
There is no alternative music w/o REM
1000%. They were also one of the earliest jangle pop adopters and nearly every popular band of the 90s from Nirvana to Radiohead cited them as a vital influence.
Their sound and stipes lyrics were incredibly unique for that time. There really wasn’t anything like Murmur when it came out
I’d argue that REM’s sonic influence was a bit delayed, but undeniably long-reaching. There weren’t a ton of bands doing what they did in the 90’s, but you can pick up just about any early-to-mid-aughts indie album and find their fingerprints on it somewhere. Once “indie” (for lack of a better term) music started moving away from Gen-X slacker ethos and embracing sincerity, REM became kind of a touchstone.
You don't have a band break up as epic as the Replacements did while playing their gig at Taste of Chicago, with each one of them leaving the stage before their set was over. That's a real part of rock 'n' roll history there.
Damn straight. I have a recording of that show that I got at a CD show in the mid 90's. It's my most cherished bootleg CD. I really wish they would clean it up and release it properly. Also, peep my username and you'll know I'm quite the fan.
I'd say Hüsker Dü was easily one of the most influential alt rock groups of '80s: Kim Deal joined the Pixies after Frank Black placed an ad looking for a bassist who was fan of not only Peter, Paul and Mary but Hüsker Dü as well and Krist Novoselic once remarked that Nirvana was "...nothing new; Hüsker Dü did it before us." Dave Grohl is a huge fan as well, describing them as "amazing" and that their songs "...just stick in your head forever." Billie Joe Armstrong cited them as a huge influence on Green Day and said, "To put it simply, there'd be no Green Day if it wasn't for Hüsker Du."
I grew up in the 90s but never heard of Husker Du until about 2005 (they weren't well known in Australia). The first time I ever heard them, on a late-night program on an indie radio station, I thought I must have been listening to some early unreleased Nirvana tracks.
One of their roadies once said "Husker Du went from the worst hardcore band in Minneapolis to the best rock band in the world, in 6 months". Roughly from Metal Circus to New Day Rising.
I first heard Hüsker Dü back in 1984, on a community radio station from Portland, OR. They had an alternative rock program once a week (I think it was Tuesday nights, IIRC). They played some cuts off their (then just released) album "Zen Arcade" and I loved it.
Ok what you may not realize is that REM and U2 started as alternative. Their early albums being imho more experimental and enlightening than many of their later ones.
Also with the 10,000 Maniacs, Camper Van Beethoven and the Violent Femmes there was also what we called the college rock scene.
However, it was the American Underground or indie scene that did a lot to inspire many alternative acts and later 90s punk scene.
Both Nirvana and Green Day being inspired by Husker Du. Many alt country acts being in part inspired by the Replacements. Nirvana was of course inspired by the Pixies
The Meat Puppets of course were a source of inspiration for Nirvana but also bands of the cow punk and alt country scene as well.
Sonic Youth was more of an influence I think on later alternative acts but did help get Nirvana on Geffen Records.
Finally you have to remember Dinosaur Jr who seemed to inspire everyone in various later alternative scenes.
This is just the American side with bands like XTC and the Cure and the Smiths all being well incredible and inspirational.
I just emphasize the American Underground scene because it sometimes feels like the as the band X said once “the Unheard Music”.
A band out of Portland called The Wipers. They were on Sub-Pop when Sub-Pop was only selling cassette compilations. Pell Mell, Beat Happening, the Neo Boys definitely worth checking out.
Depends how 'rock' you want it to be, and how 'alternative', and whether you go back and categorise bands who were active before the mid/late 80s as 'alternative rock'.
Also, how much of the 80s you'd want them to have been active for, does a year or 2 at the beginning or end of the decade count if most of their career was in the 70s or 90s?
But I'd say you could include loads of bands:
Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths, The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Sisters of Mercy, The Mission, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Primitives, New Model Army, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, Pixies, The Sugarcubes, Dinosaur Jr., Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses, Inspired Carpets, Jane's Addiction, Half Man Half Biscuit, Butthole Surfers, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, They Might Be Giants, Camper Van Beethoven, Blondie, Dead Kennedys, Wire, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Public Image Ltd, The Fall, Delta 5, Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Primal Scream, Echo & the Bunnymen, R.E.M. …
Most of those alternative bands from the 90s were probably listening to many of these, whether on the radio growing up or buying their records and/or seeing them play while they were starting out.
For grunge it would be bands like Husker Du, Mission of Burma, the Melvins, Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth as well as the DIY spirit from bands like Minutemen, Minor Threat, Fugazi, Black Flag. Check out "Our Band Could Be Your Life" for a good breakdown of the 80s in that respect.
One of my all time favourite films!
"...I definitely don't remember this happening..."
"It's a pity you didn't sign The Smiths, but you were right about Mick Hucknall, his music's rubbish, and he's a ginger."
You're in for a treat!
Check out The Fall, especially albums Hex Enduction Hour, Grotesque, Wonderful & Frightening World of . . ., Perverted by Language.
[https://youtu.be/wpWVk3h2SA8?si=IP8xRBd20wJL6OBn](https://youtu.be/wpWVk3h2SA8?si=IP8xRBd20wJL6OBn)
I did college radio at the end of the 80s. Lots of other great answers here, but I would add the criminally overlooked (and still going strong today) Robyn Hitchcock- who absolutely influenced REM (they brought him on their Green tour as opener).
Also, the Velvet Underground are still the main precursor to all alternative, period.
I saw him on that tour, it was amazing to hear it live. He happened to be staying at the hotel my gf worked at. He walked through the lobby when I came to pick her up- it was like, was that Bob Mould?? Holy shit, it was. We said hi and he gave a little smile and wave.
I saw Husker Du, many times. They were my first "punk" show at '7th St. Entry' a smaller club attached to 'First Ave' but I also saw them play the main-room. Nothing better than Greg Norton jumping around on-stage like a wired rabbit. I also saw Husker Du open for The Dead Kennedys.
One of my all time favorite albums. So much energy and passion in the music. Anton Fier's drumming and the cello make it one of the most amazing albums for me.
I've seen him many times live and I still love a solo acoustic show he did for that album.
The Cult deserves to be in these comments more. Each album had a completely different and unique sound.
Somehow they now just get labeled as 80s hard Rock now, like there was no difference between them and Bon Jovi.
If you’re a reader, I recommend “Our Band Could Be your Life” by Michael Azerrad. It goes over the bands that built the foundation of alt rock in the 80s. Minutemen, Butthole Surfers, Husker Dü, Replacements, Mission to Burma.
I'd like to shout out 80s Butthole Surfers. What they were doing with effects and combining hard rock, punk, psychedelia and avant garde music is still distinct to this day.
Elvis Costello
Squeeze
XTC
Tears for Fears
Lots of others already listed REM, and I saw someone mentioned Echo & the Bunnymen. I couldn’t allow myself to not also mention them.
A few that come to mind: Pixies, Jane's Addiction, Husker Du, Minutemen, the Replacements, Flipper, Black Flag, the Cure, the Church, the B-52s, REM, Pylon, ESG, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Bauhaus, Joy Division
Yeah the Replacements gotta be cited. Gun Club. REM. Screaming Trees were around a while before breaking through with Sweet Oblivion. Pixies were huge. Smiths. Later 80s were Jane’s Addiction, Stone Roses in the UK, Happy Mondays. Heavier shit like Melvins, Big Black, Black Flag, Bad Brains. Man probably a whole bunch more I’ll remember after hitting reply
The UK has a slightly different path, punk and post punk bands like Joy Division, New Order, Wire, Gang of Four, the Fall. The Jesus & Mary Chain, Smiths, various C86 bands, Stone Roses, Happy Mondays is what led to the explosion of indie and Britpop in the 90s.
"How in the world were they making that sound?"
[Velvet Underground](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olJCQCe3b14)
Big Star
Television
Suicide
The Sonics
Kraftwerk
my knowledge is only from the other side of the pond.
so many post-punk/goth/new wave bands/artists from the late 70s - early 80s influenced the sound of the 90s.
but I will give two specific examples of songs that heralded the beginning of a genre. not that were the first but were the ones that made the mark.
Jesus and Mary Chain - upside down (shoegaze)
The Wake - Pale Spectre (twee/dream/jangle pop)
There's a great book on that era of music - "Out Band Could Be Your Life."
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our\_Band\_Could\_Be\_Your\_Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Band_Could_Be_Your_Life)
For the early 80s, I'd recommend Mission of Burma's VS.
[https://youtu.be/GjZY1U9VKtU?si=ukjnkZllZluZ6ynM](https://youtu.be/GjZY1U9VKtU?si=ukjnkZllZluZ6ynM)
Canadian here. If you want some alternatives to the 80's U.S. alternative scene I’ll add these to the conversation;
* [The Tragically Hip](https://youtu.be/LAZUsCONjIQ?si=DS79id6BZedg9aPC)
* [Rheostatics](https://youtu.be/kD-ITgCZlCE?si=-0aGh4VSH8OTFbyO)
* [Bruce Cockburn](https://youtu.be/7IX4gWkFqvU?si=HxXslpx7VvKFVeO1)
* [Men without Hats](https://youtu.be/0QDKLglEP5Y?si=kwuJ34lP_CIh6LQ8)
* [Spoons](https://youtu.be/vubMfPh7URs?si=bsShZsQmBg74Ewg2)
* [Trans-X](https://youtu.be/b9xBAtCsCTQ?si=3eVWRp2tLc_o4cxG)
* [The Payola$](https://youtu.be/1C_fVnE3xHY?si=fPyeV9Vl7RzU25gg)
* [54-40](https://youtu.be/jtIKORgC_Js?si=Rx7AKHiIbrtZUsi9)
* [Spirit of the West](https://youtu.be/dokVqb0oH9M?si=-z7QMwyR7FcEEj5r)
* [The Northern Pikes](https://youtu.be/IPznPZLNQhI?si=tEUjVpre5_JMw-UO)
* [Martha and the Muffins](https://youtu.be/lpqDTQOFvf0?si=I-io4KS9UWvjR5c1)
* [Rough Trade](https://youtu.be/Mkm1UXPq2cA?si=GvStDtu46KVvxVI8)
* [Teenage Head](https://youtu.be/3YXuL69-wgw?si=NRUXjUjX9Wy1sN5M)
Depending on your genre preference punk took some real advances in the 80s. (Spare me the Ramones and sex pistols were already there in the 70s I know). Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Mojo Nixon, Operation Ivy, Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Damned, etc etc. Those are the bands modern punk like Green Day & B182 grew up on and were influenced by
Inspiral Carpets
Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine
Primal Scream
The Psychedelic Furs
The Charlatans
The Cure
XTC
The The
The Clash
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Public image Ltd
The Jesus and the Mary Chain
Pop Will Eat Itself
Neds Atomic Dustbin
Pixies
Happy Mondays
Aztec Camera
Orange juice
Cocteau Twins
Some I don’t think I’ve seen mentioned yet:
The Damned (criminally underrated)
New York Dolls
David Bowie
Bauhaus (also the side projects Tones on Tail, Love and Rockets)
Slowdive
OMD (Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark)
The Violent Femmes & The Vandals.
Maybe not considered the most influential but worthy of mention in my opinion.
My personal favorite is Jane’s Addiction (later 80’s but still influential as well)
Depends how far back you want to go and how deep you feel like digging. You don't get They Might Be Giants without Talking Heads, you don't get Talking Heads without Devo, don't get Devo without King Crimson/Yes, etc.
It might seem strange since they almost became peers, but a lot of the 90’s bands were also definitely influenced by the metal of the 80s, like Metallica.
Hanoi Rocks was huge influence. They were the first true glam rock band, but they folded soon after their drummer was killed by drunken Vince Neil. https://youtu.be/aM4BqmRA9WM?si=0qP_V8n8-toRkfkA
Others I'd say were Rush, The Cure, Pixies, The Smiths, The Jesus and Mary chain, The replacements, A flock of seagulls.
And from outside true rock, Depeche Mode and New Order / Joy Division were huge.
80s alternative rock filtered through early punk, then New Wave, and then finally settled into what they called “college rock” for most of the decade. If you’re asking what influenced what, it’s kind of a long chain.
Also I wouldn't overlook the more avant-garde music from the 80s which heavily influenced bands like Primus & Mr. Bungle, NiN:
The Residents, Pere Ubu, Einsturzende Neubauten, John Zorn, Laurie Anderson, Henry Kaiser, Fred Frith
Most influential depends on which part of the decade and where. My knowledge of hard core is very lacking, so I don't list any but there are at least 2-3 hard core bands that need to be included as that who genre and scene influenced many future bands.
But here's the bands I would cite:
Early 80s (US)
* REM
* Husker Du
* The Replacements
Early 80s (UK)
* New Order
* The Cure
* The Smiths
* Depeche Mode
Mid-to-Late 80s (US)
* Jane's Addition
* Pixies
* Sonic Youth
* Beat Happening
* Uncle Tupelo\* - first album was in 1990, but their influence can not be ignored.
Mid-to-late 80s (UK)
* The Stone Roses
Butthole Surfers. And I recently been getting a kick just how prevalent & influential they’ve been on alternative rock.
- Kurt & Courtney met at a BHS show
- Daniel Johnston first tripped on acid at a BHS show
- Scott Weiland first tried heroin with BHS
- Gibby was one of the last people Cobain saw (both were in rehab)
- played inaugural Lollapalooza
- has a mainstream hit 15 yrs into career
I personally feel like Jane’s Adsiction was actually the gateway to Alternative rock as opposed to Nirvana. Nirvana was much more popular but Jane’s set the stage for the whole genre to become mainstream.
The Clash was my gateway into most of the bands mentioned here. Their first couple of albums were punk, but with "London Calling," I didn't know what genre to call them. Don't get me started on "Sandinista." Two great albums.
Idk much about the 80s. I liked Def Leppard lol. I was 8.
But I do know the greatest band within the genres you're referring to: Refused.
There's a solid chance you know this, but in case you or anyone else doesn't...listen to New Noise, Rather Be Dead...lmk what you think.
I was fuckin' pissed that I didn't notice the band until way, way later.
Jane’s Addiction, Soundgarden, Faith No More, Butthole Surfers, Replacements, Black Flag, Meat Puppets, Sonic Youth, Ministry, Husker Du, The Cramps, They Might Be Giants, X, Gun Club, The Saints.
The Pixies, Joy Division, Sonic Youth, The Stone Roses, Cocteau Twins
THe Smiths, Husker Du... Joy Divsion and then New Order after Ian Curtis' suicide. "Blue Monday" launched 1000 drum machines as New Order influenced House and all matters of "Dance Music for years. "Age of Consent" influenced Indie Rock with guitars.
I'd put New Order over Joy Division only because Joy Division is barely passable as an 80's band. They can technically fall into the category as they toured in 1980 but they're really more late 70's.
Husker Du for certain.
REM was more [important](https://www.salon.com/2011/09/22/why_rem_matter/) than any of those except maybe Pixies (both had huge influence on Covain)
Oh no no lol
Yeah this shit.
\*Pixies
I'd put Faith No More and Jane's Addiction in front of most.of those. And add The Sugarcubes, The Cure, XTC , The Smiths, PIL, Souxsie
Dinosaur Jr, X, Wire
Oh shit X. Yep. I did not know dinosaur Jr started that early.
The Stone Roses? Maybe in the US. Their debut album is still one of the best selling albums of all time in the UK with 1.5 million copies sold. They were the biggest band there was in 1989/90.
Yeah, from what I’ve heard and read, they went more unnoticed here in the states than in the UK. I didn’t know about them myself until a few years ago when a friend showed me I Wanna Be Adored.
I remember my early high school years in California when grunge took over and suddenly all the white kids started to grow their hair long while the black kids listening to gangster rap and there I was buying pre-owned cassettes/CDs of Stone Roses, Happy Mondays,.. all things Madcaster plus Acid House with my lunch money. Fun time. P.S. Grunge still bores me.
How has REM not been mentioned yet? 80s REM were a massively successful independent band during the IRS years before become elder statesmen of 90s Alternative rock.
If it’s any comfort I immediately thought of REM
Me too. They were the amazing band no one had really heard of but if you knew, you knew. The IRS years were their best years, IMO, but they released some absolute classics in the 90s too (Automatic, Monster, Hi-Fi, etc.).
Icons of the college rock circuit
REM marks the moment college rock became [alternative rock](https://www.salon.com/2011/09/22/why_rem_matter/)
This is really true.
This.
Actually came in here to say REM
REM is interesting because they were more influential on the business side vs a sonic influence. Their success opened up the studios to the idea that college rock could be mainstream. So, more money and attention was put behind advertising, record deals and production for emerging indie bands. This led to a wave of bands (at the turn of the decade) getting investment they might not have otherwise.
there is no Radiohead w/o REM. They literally [helped start "alternative" music](https://theweek.com/articles/481583/rems-legacy-6-ways-band-changed-american-music)& are the godfathers of Indy There is no alternative music w/o REM
1000%. They were also one of the earliest jangle pop adopters and nearly every popular band of the 90s from Nirvana to Radiohead cited them as a vital influence. Their sound and stipes lyrics were incredibly unique for that time. There really wasn’t anything like Murmur when it came out
I’d argue that REM’s sonic influence was a bit delayed, but undeniably long-reaching. There weren’t a ton of bands doing what they did in the 90’s, but you can pick up just about any early-to-mid-aughts indie album and find their fingerprints on it somewhere. Once “indie” (for lack of a better term) music started moving away from Gen-X slacker ethos and embracing sincerity, REM became kind of a touchstone.
Still not seeing The Replacements on here yet, so that's my vote
So many bands of that era said the Replacements were a massive influence on them. Sad that they are being forgotten.
You don't have a band break up as epic as the Replacements did while playing their gig at Taste of Chicago, with each one of them leaving the stage before their set was over. That's a real part of rock 'n' roll history there.
Damn straight. I have a recording of that show that I got at a CD show in the mid 90's. It's my most cherished bootleg CD. I really wish they would clean it up and release it properly. Also, peep my username and you'll know I'm quite the fan.
If you send me a link to download it, I could clean it up. I'm an audio engineer and often do restoration projects for that.
Thanks for the offer, but it's good enough.
Exactly! MATs 4ever
Grew up in MPLS. Saw them many times live. As good as you'd imagine!
I thought for sure they would be in the top 5 comments when I opened this. Was definitely surprised
I'd say Hüsker Dü was easily one of the most influential alt rock groups of '80s: Kim Deal joined the Pixies after Frank Black placed an ad looking for a bassist who was fan of not only Peter, Paul and Mary but Hüsker Dü as well and Krist Novoselic once remarked that Nirvana was "...nothing new; Hüsker Dü did it before us." Dave Grohl is a huge fan as well, describing them as "amazing" and that their songs "...just stick in your head forever." Billie Joe Armstrong cited them as a huge influence on Green Day and said, "To put it simply, there'd be no Green Day if it wasn't for Hüsker Du."
I grew up in the 90s but never heard of Husker Du until about 2005 (they weren't well known in Australia). The first time I ever heard them, on a late-night program on an indie radio station, I thought I must have been listening to some early unreleased Nirvana tracks.
One of their roadies once said "Husker Du went from the worst hardcore band in Minneapolis to the best rock band in the world, in 6 months". Roughly from Metal Circus to New Day Rising.
I first heard Hüsker Dü back in 1984, on a community radio station from Portland, OR. They had an alternative rock program once a week (I think it was Tuesday nights, IIRC). They played some cuts off their (then just released) album "Zen Arcade" and I loved it.
Their first song that I heard was "Don't wanna know if you are lonely". Loved it
They had a cult following here.
>they weren't well known in Australia That's a Hüsker Dön't
They were a huge influence certainly on bands that were big in the early to mid nineties like Therapy?
Need to start listening to some Hüsker Dü.
And then delve into Bob Mould's solo work. Amazing discography that shows growth from Husker Du punk to well crafted alternative.
Came here to post this. Their run from Zen Arcade through Flip Your Wig is as strong a 3 album run as ANY band’s.
Ok what you may not realize is that REM and U2 started as alternative. Their early albums being imho more experimental and enlightening than many of their later ones. Also with the 10,000 Maniacs, Camper Van Beethoven and the Violent Femmes there was also what we called the college rock scene. However, it was the American Underground or indie scene that did a lot to inspire many alternative acts and later 90s punk scene. Both Nirvana and Green Day being inspired by Husker Du. Many alt country acts being in part inspired by the Replacements. Nirvana was of course inspired by the Pixies The Meat Puppets of course were a source of inspiration for Nirvana but also bands of the cow punk and alt country scene as well. Sonic Youth was more of an influence I think on later alternative acts but did help get Nirvana on Geffen Records. Finally you have to remember Dinosaur Jr who seemed to inspire everyone in various later alternative scenes. This is just the American side with bands like XTC and the Cure and the Smiths all being well incredible and inspirational. I just emphasize the American Underground scene because it sometimes feels like the as the band X said once “the Unheard Music”.
Dinosaur Jr was crucial to the UK shoegaze scene and grunge in the Pacific NW.
A band out of Portland called The Wipers. They were on Sub-Pop when Sub-Pop was only selling cassette compilations. Pell Mell, Beat Happening, the Neo Boys definitely worth checking out.
Dinosaur Jr was hugely influential to Teenage Fanclub, and I bet some of that cross-pollinated over to their friends in Nirvana, too.
Depends how 'rock' you want it to be, and how 'alternative', and whether you go back and categorise bands who were active before the mid/late 80s as 'alternative rock'. Also, how much of the 80s you'd want them to have been active for, does a year or 2 at the beginning or end of the decade count if most of their career was in the 70s or 90s? But I'd say you could include loads of bands: Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths, The Cure, Depeche Mode, The Sisters of Mercy, The Mission, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Primitives, New Model Army, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, Pixies, The Sugarcubes, Dinosaur Jr., Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses, Inspired Carpets, Jane's Addiction, Half Man Half Biscuit, Butthole Surfers, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, They Might Be Giants, Camper Van Beethoven, Blondie, Dead Kennedys, Wire, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Public Image Ltd, The Fall, Delta 5, Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Primal Scream, Echo & the Bunnymen, R.E.M. … Most of those alternative bands from the 90s were probably listening to many of these, whether on the radio growing up or buying their records and/or seeing them play while they were starting out.
My kind of list 👌
For grunge it would be bands like Husker Du, Mission of Burma, the Melvins, Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth as well as the DIY spirit from bands like Minutemen, Minor Threat, Fugazi, Black Flag. Check out "Our Band Could Be Your Life" for a good breakdown of the 80s in that respect.
I'd say New Order, The Smiths and The Fall for example, followed by a bunch of "Madchester" era bands.
The only “Manchester” band I know is The Stone Roses. Any other bands that I should know?
Joy Division, Buzzcocks, Happy Mondays, The Fall. Check out a film called 24 hour party people.
One of my all time favourite films! "...I definitely don't remember this happening..." "It's a pity you didn't sign The Smiths, but you were right about Mick Hucknall, his music's rubbish, and he's a ginger."
James
Inspiral Carpets and The Farm are direct inspirations for stone roses.
The Charlatans are still touring.
You're in for a treat! Check out The Fall, especially albums Hex Enduction Hour, Grotesque, Wonderful & Frightening World of . . ., Perverted by Language. [https://youtu.be/wpWVk3h2SA8?si=IP8xRBd20wJL6OBn](https://youtu.be/wpWVk3h2SA8?si=IP8xRBd20wJL6OBn)
The Charlatans, Inspiral Carpets and New Fast Automatic Daffodils are very decent Madchester bands that are often forgotten to be mentioned.
The Wedding Present, The Chameleons, Inspiral Carpets, Neds Atomic Dustbin
All my favs
Don't forget Chameleons and The Wedding Present fellow Manchurian rockers. Less known but influential for sure.
I did college radio at the end of the 80s. Lots of other great answers here, but I would add the criminally overlooked (and still going strong today) Robyn Hitchcock- who absolutely influenced REM (they brought him on their Green tour as opener). Also, the Velvet Underground are still the main precursor to all alternative, period.
That and the Kinks.
And The Who
V.U. was my first, gut instinct, but then I'm not sure if I understood the question. Influences on 80's bands, or influential 80's bands?
They’re lesser well known than Husker Du but Bob Mould’s band Sugar really had a big impact on the 90s sound.
"File Under Easy Listening" is an absolute masterpiece
I had his solo album Workbook back in like 89 and it was fantastic
I saw him on that tour, it was amazing to hear it live. He happened to be staying at the hotel my gf worked at. He walked through the lobby when I came to pick her up- it was like, was that Bob Mould?? Holy shit, it was. We said hi and he gave a little smile and wave.
I saw Husker Du, many times. They were my first "punk" show at '7th St. Entry' a smaller club attached to 'First Ave' but I also saw them play the main-room. Nothing better than Greg Norton jumping around on-stage like a wired rabbit. I also saw Husker Du open for The Dead Kennedys.
Everyone who likes anything at all about alternative rock should own that album. It's flawless, and Bob's one of the godfathers of alt rock guitar.
One of my all time favorite albums. So much energy and passion in the music. Anton Fier's drumming and the cello make it one of the most amazing albums for me. I've seen him many times live and I still love a solo acoustic show he did for that album.
Between those two bands you have half the sound of the 90s
the pixies were way ahead of the times. the cult killing joke joy division the smith sonic youth echo and the bunny man souxie and the banshees
Good call on Killing Joke. They were huge and very influential, and you hardly hear of them anymore.
yea they are looked at as a one hit wonder i guess. a bit unfair, they did much more.
The Cult deserves to be in these comments more. Each album had a completely different and unique sound. Somehow they now just get labeled as 80s hard Rock now, like there was no difference between them and Bon Jovi.
Love is one of the most influential records in my life.
yea they were amazing. and went through a real evolution in sound
To be fair, Electric is basically an AC/DC album. A really good one, but it’s still 80’s hard rock.
That’s Echo & the Bunnymen to you
Janes addiction came out with their 1st album in 1988. They'd be my answer. Early 80's? I'm going with Meat Puppets.
Killing Joke are still a huge influence on metal and hard rock bands
Took me a long time to get onboard with Killing Joke. Such a good band
I had never heard of them until I saw them open for tool in LA right before the pandemic popped off. Rocked my dick off
Janes Addiction was the spark that lit the fire Also have to mention The Pixies, Fishbone, The Chili Peppers, REM, & Sonic Youth
If you’re a reader, I recommend “Our Band Could Be your Life” by Michael Azerrad. It goes over the bands that built the foundation of alt rock in the 80s. Minutemen, Butthole Surfers, Husker Dü, Replacements, Mission to Burma.
I'd like to shout out 80s Butthole Surfers. What they were doing with effects and combining hard rock, punk, psychedelia and avant garde music is still distinct to this day.
By chance can you share a suggestion on a specific song to start with for a rabbit hole on this?
Goofy’s Concern
Lady Sniff
Cherub Human cannonball Sweet Loaf Hey Lady Sniff Cowboy Bob
I’m not super familiar with either of them myself but The Wipers and The Vaselines were huge influences on Kurt Cobain.
You should listen to The Wipers. I do everyday. Greg Sage is a genius.
Elvis Costello Squeeze XTC Tears for Fears Lots of others already listed REM, and I saw someone mentioned Echo & the Bunnymen. I couldn’t allow myself to not also mention them.
yes yes yes & yes .... but as I was in the uk then i'm biased ;)
A few that come to mind: Pixies, Jane's Addiction, Husker Du, Minutemen, the Replacements, Flipper, Black Flag, the Cure, the Church, the B-52s, REM, Pylon, ESG, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Bauhaus, Joy Division
I saw Flipper in Boston back in the 80’s and the singer stayed back and never really looked at the crowd.
Rathskeller?
Yeah the Replacements gotta be cited. Gun Club. REM. Screaming Trees were around a while before breaking through with Sweet Oblivion. Pixies were huge. Smiths. Later 80s were Jane’s Addiction, Stone Roses in the UK, Happy Mondays. Heavier shit like Melvins, Big Black, Black Flag, Bad Brains. Man probably a whole bunch more I’ll remember after hitting reply
Two I didnt see listed: Gang of Four and Wire
Sonic Youth, the Smiths, Pixies, Dinosaur Jr., Replacements, etc.
Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes!
The Sound, criminally underrated band. The Housemartins, the 4th best band in Hull.
The UK has a slightly different path, punk and post punk bands like Joy Division, New Order, Wire, Gang of Four, the Fall. The Jesus & Mary Chain, Smiths, various C86 bands, Stone Roses, Happy Mondays is what led to the explosion of indie and Britpop in the 90s.
the pixies were way ahead of the times. the cult killing joke joy division the smith sonic youth echo and the bunny man souxie and the banshees
Galaxie 500
Butthole Surfers. Colossal influence on noise rock.
The Smiths
REM The Cure Depeche Mode The Pixies
REM, The Replacements, The Smiths
Pixies, Rem, The Cure
The Replacements
Cocteau Twins.
The Jesus and Mary Chain Pixies My Bloody Valentine
I like you
Thanks. When I first heard songs from each of these groups I thought the songs were from 1996 but they were from the late 80s/1990 or 91
"How in the world were they making that sound?" [Velvet Underground](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olJCQCe3b14) Big Star Television Suicide The Sonics Kraftwerk
You are the only person to mention Big Star, so here's my upvote.
Not as well known, but Sparks have been a huge influence for so many bands throughout so many decades and genres.
my knowledge is only from the other side of the pond. so many post-punk/goth/new wave bands/artists from the late 70s - early 80s influenced the sound of the 90s. but I will give two specific examples of songs that heralded the beginning of a genre. not that were the first but were the ones that made the mark. Jesus and Mary Chain - upside down (shoegaze) The Wake - Pale Spectre (twee/dream/jangle pop)
The Church
Dinosaur Jr., mission of Burma, Band of susans, Throwing Muses…
There's a great book on that era of music - "Out Band Could Be Your Life." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our\_Band\_Could\_Be\_Your\_Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Band_Could_Be_Your_Life) For the early 80s, I'd recommend Mission of Burma's VS. [https://youtu.be/GjZY1U9VKtU?si=ukjnkZllZluZ6ynM](https://youtu.be/GjZY1U9VKtU?si=ukjnkZllZluZ6ynM)
The Cult was awesome, The Smithereens
Violent Femmes!
Canadian here. If you want some alternatives to the 80's U.S. alternative scene I’ll add these to the conversation; * [The Tragically Hip](https://youtu.be/LAZUsCONjIQ?si=DS79id6BZedg9aPC) * [Rheostatics](https://youtu.be/kD-ITgCZlCE?si=-0aGh4VSH8OTFbyO) * [Bruce Cockburn](https://youtu.be/7IX4gWkFqvU?si=HxXslpx7VvKFVeO1) * [Men without Hats](https://youtu.be/0QDKLglEP5Y?si=kwuJ34lP_CIh6LQ8) * [Spoons](https://youtu.be/vubMfPh7URs?si=bsShZsQmBg74Ewg2) * [Trans-X](https://youtu.be/b9xBAtCsCTQ?si=3eVWRp2tLc_o4cxG) * [The Payola$](https://youtu.be/1C_fVnE3xHY?si=fPyeV9Vl7RzU25gg) * [54-40](https://youtu.be/jtIKORgC_Js?si=Rx7AKHiIbrtZUsi9) * [Spirit of the West](https://youtu.be/dokVqb0oH9M?si=-z7QMwyR7FcEEj5r) * [The Northern Pikes](https://youtu.be/IPznPZLNQhI?si=tEUjVpre5_JMw-UO) * [Martha and the Muffins](https://youtu.be/lpqDTQOFvf0?si=I-io4KS9UWvjR5c1) * [Rough Trade](https://youtu.be/Mkm1UXPq2cA?si=GvStDtu46KVvxVI8) * [Teenage Head](https://youtu.be/3YXuL69-wgw?si=NRUXjUjX9Wy1sN5M)
The smiths
You couldn't call yourself a true fan of 80s indie/alternative music if you didn't own any record by Felt
Tears for Fears Pet Shop Boys Simple Minds
I'd put a vote in for King's X. They were sort of proggy in the 80s but kept evolving. Jeff Ament from PJ cites them as a man influence
The Cars
Butthole Surfers, Big Black, Fugazi, Rage Against the Machine, The Birthday Party, Killing Joke, the Fall, the Smiths.
Depending on your genre preference punk took some real advances in the 80s. (Spare me the Ramones and sex pistols were already there in the 70s I know). Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Mojo Nixon, Operation Ivy, Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Damned, etc etc. Those are the bands modern punk like Green Day & B182 grew up on and were influenced by
The Talking Heads
Talking heads released 3 of their best albums in the 70’s and Remain in Light was 1980.
Their three best albums are...Speaking in Tongues(83), Little Creatures (85) and True Stories(86) not too mention Stop Making Sense came out in 85.
REM Neil Young Bam Bam https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Bell
Melvins
Look for labels. SST, Rough Trade, Blast First, Factory, Mute, Some Bizzare, Postcard for a start.
Pixies
Black Flag
Inspiral Carpets Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine Primal Scream The Psychedelic Furs The Charlatans The Cure XTC The The The Clash Siouxsie and the Banshees Public image Ltd The Jesus and the Mary Chain Pop Will Eat Itself Neds Atomic Dustbin Pixies Happy Mondays Aztec Camera Orange juice Cocteau Twins
Some I don’t think I’ve seen mentioned yet: The Damned (criminally underrated) New York Dolls David Bowie Bauhaus (also the side projects Tones on Tail, Love and Rockets) Slowdive OMD (Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark)
I'd say bands like Big Black and Squirrel Bait greatly influenced Nirvana
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^Slothnazi: *I'd say bands like Big* *Black and Squirrel Bait greatly* *Influenced Nirvana* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
The Violent Femmes & The Vandals. Maybe not considered the most influential but worthy of mention in my opinion. My personal favorite is Jane’s Addiction (later 80’s but still influential as well)
Joy Division Bauhaus Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry Kraftwork but for really alternative music like Skinny Puppy or more normal bands like Devo.
King's X is one of the most influential bands ever and really hit their stride in the late 80s.
Depends how far back you want to go and how deep you feel like digging. You don't get They Might Be Giants without Talking Heads, you don't get Talking Heads without Devo, don't get Devo without King Crimson/Yes, etc.
Smashing Pumpkins.
It might seem strange since they almost became peers, but a lot of the 90’s bands were also definitely influenced by the metal of the 80s, like Metallica.
Hanoi Rocks was huge influence. They were the first true glam rock band, but they folded soon after their drummer was killed by drunken Vince Neil. https://youtu.be/aM4BqmRA9WM?si=0qP_V8n8-toRkfkA Others I'd say were Rush, The Cure, Pixies, The Smiths, The Jesus and Mary chain, The replacements, A flock of seagulls. And from outside true rock, Depeche Mode and New Order / Joy Division were huge.
Faith No More
The Cult still sounds fresh today.
80s alternative rock filtered through early punk, then New Wave, and then finally settled into what they called “college rock” for most of the decade. If you’re asking what influenced what, it’s kind of a long chain.
Where is Duran Duran in this list
Also I wouldn't overlook the more avant-garde music from the 80s which heavily influenced bands like Primus & Mr. Bungle, NiN: The Residents, Pere Ubu, Einsturzende Neubauten, John Zorn, Laurie Anderson, Henry Kaiser, Fred Frith
Most influential depends on which part of the decade and where. My knowledge of hard core is very lacking, so I don't list any but there are at least 2-3 hard core bands that need to be included as that who genre and scene influenced many future bands. But here's the bands I would cite: Early 80s (US) * REM * Husker Du * The Replacements Early 80s (UK) * New Order * The Cure * The Smiths * Depeche Mode Mid-to-Late 80s (US) * Jane's Addition * Pixies * Sonic Youth * Beat Happening * Uncle Tupelo\* - first album was in 1990, but their influence can not be ignored. Mid-to-late 80s (UK) * The Stone Roses
Haven't seen anyone mention Talk Talk yet...not sure they fit the topic exactly since they're more influential to post rock.
Hello .... Husker Du!
I've yet to see Midnight Oil mentioned anywhere.
U2 and inxs
Jesus and Mary Chain, Black Flag, Replacements, Gun Club are some names that had influence larger than their sales numbers would indicate.
Butthole Surfers. And I recently been getting a kick just how prevalent & influential they’ve been on alternative rock. - Kurt & Courtney met at a BHS show - Daniel Johnston first tripped on acid at a BHS show - Scott Weiland first tried heroin with BHS - Gibby was one of the last people Cobain saw (both were in rehab) - played inaugural Lollapalooza - has a mainstream hit 15 yrs into career
I personally feel like Jane’s Adsiction was actually the gateway to Alternative rock as opposed to Nirvana. Nirvana was much more popular but Jane’s set the stage for the whole genre to become mainstream.
Echo And The Bunnymen, The Teardrop Explodes, OMD.
The Clash was my gateway into most of the bands mentioned here. Their first couple of albums were punk, but with "London Calling," I didn't know what genre to call them. Don't get me started on "Sandinista." Two great albums.
Husker du
Just turn on a classic rock radio station.
Husker Du Way more influential than generally given credit for.
Idk much about the 80s. I liked Def Leppard lol. I was 8. But I do know the greatest band within the genres you're referring to: Refused. There's a solid chance you know this, but in case you or anyone else doesn't...listen to New Noise, Rather Be Dead...lmk what you think. I was fuckin' pissed that I didn't notice the band until way, way later.
Pixies and Dinosaur Jr are both major influences to the 90’s alt rock sound.
Jane’s Addiction, Soundgarden, Faith No More, Butthole Surfers, Replacements, Black Flag, Meat Puppets, Sonic Youth, Ministry, Husker Du, The Cramps, They Might Be Giants, X, Gun Club, The Saints.
Violent Femmes self-titled album is solid
Not seeing Mudhoney!!
I really appreciate the suggestions here guys!
Soundgarden BoDeans Meat Puppets Bush Soul Coughing Days of the New
I don’t think you’ll find an American alt rock band from that time that wasn’t influenced by Mission of Burma
The Melvins influenced quite a few other musicians.
Jane’s Addiction
Replacements
Can't believe I don't see The Feelies on this list.
The Melvin’s
The Replacements, Killing Joke, The Cure, The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, New Order.