Indie music is an up-and-coming style of rock and pop music produced by independent artists. These bands may not have much money, but they still manage to make a name for themselves.
Indie musicians experienced a golden era during the 70s. Thanks to advances like the internet and other new technology, these artists were able to flourish.
The Buzzcocks
The Buzzcocks were one of Britain’s most iconic punk rock acts, alongside The Sex Pistols and Clash. Additionally, they were among the first punk groups to release an EP (Spiral Scratch) on an independent label; setting the precedent for later independent record labels such as Rough Trade, SST and Creation.
Pete Shelley formed the band in 1976 in Bolton, Manchester and it has remained together ever since. They had an immense impact on generations of music lovers and are widely considered one of the most influential groups from that era.
In the early ’70s, punk rock had just started to gain mainstream acceptance. The Buzzcocks played an integral role in developing this style and genre with their unfussy rock music and relatable lyrics that helped teens feel less alone.
They were heavily inspired by pop songcraft from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, while adding fast-paced punk energy. This culminated in a string of singles that not only became hits but were praised as “punk masterpieces” by critic Ned Raggett.
Buzzcocks’ debut EP, Spiral Scratch, was released in February 1977 and is widely considered as one of the early precursors to post-punk music. Produced by Martin Hannett – an influential Mancunian producer who would go on to define post-punk through his work with Joy Division – it set itself apart from other releases through its use of sampled instruments from around Manchester.
The EP’s title track, “Spiral Scratch,” remains a landmark piece of music – both for punk rock and pop music alike. It captures the energy, anger and frustration that was prevalent in British youth culture at that time through an uptempo bassline, guitar riff and main chord progression that creates both melodic and captivating compositions.
Another aspect that sets this song apart is the vocal style of lead singer and guitar player Pete Shelley. He had a unique ability to deliver catchy melodies with an edge, as well as sexually provocative lyrics.
The Pixies
Surfer Rosa (1988), although not a commercial success, was widely considered to be the most influential American alternative rock album of the 1980s. Its dynamic “loud-quiet-loud” shifts and disconcerting pop structure became iconic to alternative rock, inspiring bands such as Nirvana, Radiohead and The Smashing Pumpkins to draw heavily upon Pixies’ work.
In 1986, Black Francis formed the band in Boston, Massachusetts with Joey Santiago on vocals and rhythm guitar, Kim Deal on bass and backing vocals, and David Lovering on drums. After recording some early demos for 4AD Records, they signed on as official label in 1989.
Their debut single, “Hey,” was released in 1986 and quickly gained a following. However, their sound evolved over time as they added elements of punk rock and surf rock into their lyrics.
By 1993, Nirvana’s experimental and unsettling music had already had an enormous impact on other acts such as Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam. Reunited in 2004, they enjoyed several world tours before disbanding once again in 2005.
In 2013, bassist Kim Deal left the band, and in 2014 Argentina-American bassist Paz Lenchantin was hired in her place. That year the group recorded three EPs which were later compiled as Indie Cindy for April’s Record Store Day celebration.
Indie Cindy may not have the ferocity of its predecessors, but its songs still boast heavy drums, screaming guitar riffs and an irrepressibly driving bass line. These tracks are a joy to listen to if you’re nostalgic for the band’s earlier sounds; Indie Cindy just might be your perfect remedy!
In the 2000s, The Pixies continued touring; however, it wasn’t until 2013 that they entered the studio to record new material. Deal left the band that year and two months later Muffs bassist Kim Shattuck joined as a touring member.
Reformed in 2013, Pixies released their first new music in nine years in the summer of 2013. The song “Bagboy,” featuring Bunnies vocalist Jeremy Dubs, marked Lenchantin’s first full-time role on a Pixies track. Head Carrier, their sixth and latest album, was released September 2016 while Beneath the Eyrie followed shortly thereafter in 2019.
Modest Mouse
1997 marked a watershed year for indie rock music, as groundbreaking acts such as Radiohead, Bjork, Yo La Tengo, Elliott Smith, Blur and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds all released albums that remain among the best of their genre. Modest Mouse’s This Is a Long Drive for Someone With Nothing to Think About marked one such milestone; it forever altered how indie music would be perceived.
Issaquah, Washington-based band, The Issaquah Rock Ensemble quickly gained notoriety with their self-deprecating brand of indie rock. Their album This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About was an influential landmark that became beloved among college dorm rooms nationwide. The wandering guitar line, playful note bends and staggering drums set the album apart with frontman Isaac Brock’s gravelly bark creating an inimitable palette that would define them as distinct indie band for decades to come.
Though This Is a Long Drive for Someone without Nothing to Think About remains their most successful album, it wasn’t even close. Their subsequent two LPs, The Lonesome Crowded West and Good News for People Who Love Bad News, would maintain the polished production style of those earlier records while also breaking new ground musically.
On We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, the band created a series of tracks that would become their most successful singles. The album’s title track, for instance, features their signature wistful vocals and an uptempo percussion-driven beat as it delivers poignant messages about mortality and life cycles.
Modest Mouse have achieved great success on the road, as well as critical acclaim for their studio albums. They have earned three platinum awards and sold more than one million copies of their albums worldwide.
They have also earned several esteemed Grammy nominations, including Best Alternative Album and Best Song for their 2004 single “Ocean Breathes Salty.”
As always, The Lonesome Crowded West is an expansive work of indie rock that perfectly captures Modest Mouse’s vibrant sound. The band performed the entire record live and it was truly a pleasure to witness them perform each highlight with such skill and flair.
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth are one of the most influential rock bands in history and their pioneering work with experimental music and noise rock has had an immense impact on countless musicians over time. From their first album to their last, they created some of pop music’s most intriguing and challenging works.
Sonic Youth, composed of Thurston Moore (vocals), Kim Gordon (vocals and bass), Lee Ranaldo (guitar), and Steve Shelley (drums), have released 16 studio albums as well as numerous other recordings and live performances in their 27 year career. If you’re a fan of the band or just want to explore more about its groundbreaking musical journey, it’s worth exploring their extensive discography.
It’s easy to understand why they were such an influential part of indie music during the 70s, especially with the release of their 1986 masterpiece Daydream Nation. This album remains one of music history’s greatest masterpieces and forever altered how music was produced.
In 1984, Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore declared that their band would create “the most groundbreaking guitar-based music since Jimi Hendrix.” This statement remains astounding to this day – just the start of what would eventually lead them to become one of music’s iconic indie rock acts.
Bad Moon Rising may not be their most well-known album, but it is essential for anyone interested in the band’s early sound. It features some of their earliest atonal guitar riffs, dissonant and droning jams, as well as near-monotonous singing styles from its three main members.
Sonic Youth took their music to new heights with 1985’s Evol, released by SST Records and signaling a shift towards more structured songwriting and featuring Steve Shelley as permanent drummer for the first time. This album marked another important milestone in their evolution as an entity.
After a brief hiatus, Sonic Youth returned in 2002 with Murray Street and continued their groundbreaking, genre-defying music. Their final studio album, 2009’s The Eternal, remains an inspiration to artists and fans alike. Recently, the band has also released numerous solo albums from its core members as well as reissued older material on their Bandcamp page.