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List of most popular alternative rock bands (all time)

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Active
Muse
1

Muse

(1994)
Muse are an English rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of Matthew Bellamy (lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Christopher Wolstenholme (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Dominic Howard (drums,...
7.9
7.9
from 10 votes
Discuss [-]
Linkin Park
2

Linkin Park

(1996)
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album Hybrid Theory (2000), which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinu...
7.4
7.4
from 8 votes
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Coldplay
3

Coldplay

(1996)
Coldplay are a British rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London (UCL). After they formed under the name Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bas...
7.7
7.7
from 7 votes
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U2
4

U2

(1976)
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin, Ireland. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono (vocals and guitar), the Edge (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums and percussion)...
7.8
7.8
from 5 votes
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Garbage
5

Garbage

(1993)
Garbage is an American-Scottish alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1993. The group consists of Scottish musician Shirley Manson (vocals, keyboards, guitar) and American musicians Duke Erikson (bass, guitar, key...
7.5
7.5
from 4 votes
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Hollywood Undead
6

Hollywood Undead

(2005)
Hollywood Undead is an American rap rock band from Los Angeles, California. They released their debut album, Swan Songs, on September 2, 2008, and their live CD/DVD Desperate Measures, on November 10, 2009. Their second studio alb...
8
8
from 3 votes
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Red Hot Chili Peppers
7

Red Hot Chili Peppers

(1983)
Red Hot Chili Peppers (also sometimes shortened to "The Chili Peppers" or abbreviated as "RHCP") are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983.
8.3
8.3
from 3 votes
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Imagine Dragons
8

Imagine Dragons

(2008)
Imagine Dragons is an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Imagine Dragons' lineup consists of lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne "Wing" Sermon, bassist Ben McKee and drummer Daniel Platzman. The band gained exposur...
8
8
from 2 votes
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4 Non Blondes
9

4 Non Blondes

(1989)
4 Non Blondes was an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1989. The group was formed by bassist Christa Hillhouse, guitarist Shaunna Hall, drummer Wanda Day, and vocalist and guitarist Linda Perry. Prior to...
7
7
from 2 votes
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Papa Roach
10

Papa Roach

(1993)
Papa Roach is an American, Sacramento based rock band from Vacaville, California.
6.5
6.5
from 2 votes
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Bush
11

Bush

(1992)
Bush are a British rock band formed in London in 1992. The band found immediate success with the release of their debut album Sixteen Stone in 1994, which is certified 6× multi-platinum by the RIAA. Bush went on to become one of t...
7
7
from 2 votes
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Temple of the Dog
12

Temple of the Dog

(1990)
Temple of the Dog was an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. It was conceived by vocalist Chris Cornell of Soundgarden as a tribute to his friend, the late Andrew Wood, lead singer of the bands Malfunksh...
6.5
6.5
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Blur
13

Blur

(1988)
Blur are an English rock band, formed in London in 1988. The group consists of singer/keyboardist Damon Albarn, guitarist/singer Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree.
8.5
8.5
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Stone Temple Pilots
14

Stone Temple Pilots

(1985)
Stone Temple Pilots (often abbreviated as STP) is an American rock band from San Diego, California, that consists of brothers Robert DeLeo (bass, backing vocals) and Dean DeLeo (guitar), Eric Kretz (drums, percussion), and formerl...
9
9
from 2 votes
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Nickelback
15

Nickelback

(1995)
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band formed in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta. The band is composed of guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Ryan Peake, bassist Mike Kroeger, and drummer Danie...
6
6
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Evanescence
16

Evanescence

(1995)
Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody.
6
6
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
No Doubt
17

No Doubt

(1986)
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California, that formed in 1986. Since 1994, the group has consisted of vocalist Gwen Stefani, bassist and keyboardist Tony Kanal, guitarist and keyboardist Tom Dumont, and drummer A...
6
6
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
Soundgarden
18

Soundgarden

(1984)
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Matt Cameron became the band's full-time drummer in 19...
9
9
from 2 votes
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Counting Crows
19

Counting Crows

(1991)
Counting Crows is an American rock band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1991. The band consists of Adam Duritz (lead vocals, piano), David Bryson (guitar), Charlie Gillingham (accordion, keyboards), Dan Vickrey (lead guitar),...
8
8
from 2 votes
Discuss [-]
R.E.M.
20

R.E.M.

(1980)
R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by lead singer Michael Stipe, lead guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry...
9.5
9.5
from 2 votes
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Cage the Elephant
21

Cage the Elephant

(2006)
Cage the Elephant is an American rock band from Bowling Green, Kentucky, that formed in 2006. The group currently consists of vocalist Matthew Shultz, rhythm guitarist Brad Shultz, drummer Jared Champion and bassist Daniel Ticheno...
7
7
from 1 vote
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X Ambassadors
22

X Ambassadors

(2009)
X Ambassadors (also stylised XA) is an American alternative rock band from Ithaca, New York. The band has had hits such as "Unconsolable", "Jungle" and "Renegades". The band's debut full length album titled VHS was released on Jun...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Foals
23

Foals

(2005)
Foals are an English indie rock band from Oxford, England formed in 2005, consisting of lead vocalist and lead guitarist Yannis Philippakis, drummer and percussionist Jack Bevan, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Smith, bassist Walter Gerver...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Primus
24

Primus

(1984)
Primus is an American experimental rock band based in San Francisco, California, currently composed of bassist/vocalist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde and drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander. Primus originally formed in 1984...
8
8
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Atlas Genius
25

Atlas Genius

(2009)
Atlas Genius are an alternative rock band formed in Adelaide, South Australia in November 2009. The band's mainstay members are the Jeffery brothers, Keith on lead vocals and lead guitar; Michael on drums; and Darren Sell on keybo...
7
7
from 1 vote
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Tokyo Police Club
26

Tokyo Police Club

(2005)
Tokyo Police Club is an indie rock band from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. It consists of vocalist and bassist David Monks (born December 22, 1987), keyboardist Graham Wright (born February 16, 1987), guitarist Josh Hook (born May 1...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Blind Melon
27

Blind Melon

(1990)
Blind Melon (Stylized as BLind MeLoN) is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California by two musicians from Mississippi and one from Indiana, active from 1990 to 1999 and 2006 onward.
6
6
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
The Sugarcubes
28

The Sugarcubes

(1986)
The Sugarcubes were an Icelandic alternative rock band formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992.
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Bloodhound Gang
29

Bloodhound Gang

(1991)
Bloodhound Gang is an American band which began as a hip hop group but branched out into other genres, including alternative hip hop, rapcore, funk metal and electronic rock, as their career progressed.
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Billy Talent
30

Billy Talent

(1993)
Billy Talent is a Canadian punk rock band from Mississauga, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Benjamin Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk.
8
8
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Sum 41
31

Sum 41

(1996)
Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario, Canada. The band was formed in 1996 and, as of 2015, consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Deryck Whibley, co-lead guitarists Dave Baksh and Tom Thacker, bassist Cone McC...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Taproot
32

Taproot

(1997)
Taproot is a rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan.
6
6
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Stone Sour
33

Stone Sour

(1992)
Stone Sour is an American rock band formed in Des Moines, Iowa in 1992, performing for five years, before disbanding in 1997. They reunited in 2000 and since 2006, the group has consisted of Corey Taylor (lead vocals), Josh Rand (...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Incubus
34

Incubus

(1991)
Incubus is an American rock band from Calabasas, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas while enrolled in Calabasas High School and later expanded...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Alien Ant Farm
35

Alien Ant Farm

(1995)
Alien Ant Farm is an American rock band that formed in Riverside, California, United States, in 1995. Their name comes from an idea original guitarist Terry Corso had about aliens and the Earth: "it was just my daydream about our...
6
6
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
311
36

311

(1988)
311 (pronounced "three-eleven") is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist and guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson (who would later be replaced by Tim Mahoney), bassist Aaron...
6
6
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
The Dead Weather
37

The Dead Weather

(2009)
The Dead Weather is an American rock supergroup, formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2009. Composed of Alison Mosshart (of The Kills and Discount), Jack White (formerly of The White Stripes and The Raconteurs), Dean Fertita (of Quee...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Queens of the Stone Age
38

Queens of the Stone Age

(1996)
Queens of the Stone Age are an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1996. The band's line-up includes founder Josh Homme (lead vocals, guitar, piano), alongside longtime members Troy Van Leeuwe...
7
7
from 1 vote
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I Mother Earth
39

I Mother Earth

(1991)
I Mother Earth, or IME, is a Canadian alternative rock band.
6
6
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Our Lady Peace
40

Our Lady Peace

(1992)
Our Lady Peace (sometimes shortened to OLP) are a Canadian alternative rock/post-grunge band formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1992.
6
6
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
The Verve
41

The Verve

(1990)
The Verve were an English rock band formed in Wigan in 1990 by lead vocalist Richard Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bass guitarist Simon Jones and drummer Peter Salisbury. The guitarist and keyboard player Simon Tong became a me...
6
6
from 1 vote
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Snow Patrol
42

Snow Patrol

(1993)
Snow Patrol are a Northern Irish alternative rock, pop rock and pop punk band formed in 1993, consisting of Gary Lightbody (vocals, guitar), Nathan Connolly (guitar, backing vocals), Paul Wilson (bass guitar, backing vocals), Jonn...
6
6
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Matthew Good Band
43

Matthew Good Band

(1995)
Matthew Good Band was a Canadian alternative rock band formed by Matthew Good that existed from 1995 to 2002. The band consisted of Good (vocals, guitar), Dave Genn (lead guitar/keyboard), Ian Browne (drums) and Geoff Lloyd (bass)...
6
6
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Moist
44

Moist

(1992)
Moist is a Canadian alternative rock band that originally formed in 1992. It consists of David Usher as lead vocalist, Mark Makoway on lead guitars, Jonathan Gallivan on guitars, Kevin Young on keyboards, Francis Fillion on drums...
6
6
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Lifehouse
45

Lifehouse

(1999)
Lifehouse is a American rock band from Los Angeles comprising Jason Wade (lead vocals, guitar), Bryce Soderberg (Bass, vocals) and Rick Woolstenhulme, Jr. (drums, percussion). The band came to mainstream prominence in 2001 with th...
6
6
from 1 vote
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Everclear
46

Everclear

(1991)
Everclear is an American alternative rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1991. The band was formed by Art Alexakis, the band's lead songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist; and for most of the band's height of popularity, consiste...
6
6
from 1 vote
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Dishwalla
47

Dishwalla

(1994)
Dishwalla is an American alternative rock band from Santa Barbara, California.
6
6
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Collective Soul
48

Collective Soul

(1992)
Collective Soul is an American rock band originally from Stockbridge, Georgia. Now based in Atlanta, the group consists of lead vocalist Ed Roland, rhythm guitarist Dean Roland, bassist Will Turpin, drummer Johnny Rabb and lead gu...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
Hole
49

Hole

(1989)
Hole was an American alternative rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1989 by singer and guitarist Courtney Love and lead guitarist Eric Erlandson. The band had a revolving line-up of bassists and drummers, their mo...
7
7
from 1 vote
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Blink-182
50

Blink-182

(1992)
Blink-182 is an American rock band formed in Poway, a suburb of San Diego, California in 1992. The band currently consists of bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, drummer Travis Barker, and guitarist and vocalist Matt Skiba...
7
7
from 1 vote
Discuss [-]
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