RWC tutor Jackie Zamora gives some great rock band recommendations.
My Chemical Romance:
It’s hard to imagine anyone not already having heard of My Chemical Romance, but if you have somehow been living under a rock for the last 20 years this is for you! My Chemical Romance (MCR) was formed in Newark, New Jersey, in 2001. The band's founding members are Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Matt Pelissier, and Mikey Way. Gerard Way reportedly formed the band after witnessing the 2001 September 11 attacks, which inspired him to pursue his passion for music. The band's early sound was heavily influenced by punk and alternative rock, with themes ranging from personal struggles to larger social issues. They gained significant popularity with their albums "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge" (2004) and "The Black Parade" (2006). Currently the members are Gerard Way who is lead vocalist, Mikey Way who plays bass guitar, Ray Toro who plays lead guitar and does back up vocals, Frank Iero who plays rhythm guitar and also does backup vocals.
The top 3 most popular songs they have are "Welcome to the Black Parade," "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)," and "Helena." "Welcome to the Black Parade" is from theiralbum "The Black Parade" which is arguably their most iconic song. if you were a teenager in the early 2000's this song probably still haunts you to this day. It is known for its theatricality and emotionally charged lyrics. "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" is from their album "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge," this song became one of their hits. Its catchy chorus and angsty lyrics were relatable to many listeners, more with teenagers and young adults. "Helena," also from "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge," is another standout track. Its combination of rock energy and impacting lyrics. They have won quite a few awards. They won a Grammy Award for Best Boxed or Special Limited-Edition Package for "The Black Parade" in 2008. They won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video for "Helena" in 2005. They won the NME Award for Best International Band in 2007. They won the Kerrang! Award for Best Album in 2005 for "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge." They won the Kerrang! Award for Best Video in 2005 for "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)." They also won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Rock in 2007.
Bring Me the Horizon:
Bring Me the Horizon is a British rock band that originated in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The band was formed in 2004 when members of local bands came together to create a new project. The original lineup consisted of Oliver Sykes who was the vocalist, Lee Malia who played guitar, Matt Kean who played bass, Curtis Ward who played second guitar, and Matt Nicholls who played drums. The band's early sound was rooted in deathcore, a subgenre of heavy metal music, but they gradually broadened their style over the years, incorporating elements of metalcore, electronic music, and alternative rock. Bring Me the Horizon gained popularity in the mid-2000s with the release of their debut album, "Count Your Blessings" in 2006, followed by "Suicide Season" in 2008. Bring Me the Horizon has changed and grown their sound with each album release, experimenting with different genres and styles.
They have achieved significant commercial success and critical acclaim, becoming one of the most popular and influential bands in the modern rock and metal scene. Some of their most popular songs are “Drown,” “Can You Feel My Heart,” and "Throne." "Drown" was released as a single in 2014, "Drown" is made of emotional lyrics and a memorable chorus, showcasing the band's ability to blend heavy instrumentals with melodic elements. "Can You Feel My Heart" is from their fourth studio album, "Sempiternal" from 2013. It combines electronic elements with heavy guitars and exhibits Oliver Sykes' vocals. "Throne" was released as a single in 2015 from their fifth studio album, "That's the Spirit". It displays anthemic choruses
and a powerful, energetic sound that resonated with fans. Bring Me the Horizon has
won multiple Kerrang! Awards, including Best British Newcomer in 2006, Best Album for "Sempiternal" in 2013, and Best British Band in 2015. The band has won a couple of Alternative Press Music Awards, including Artist of the Year in 2014 and Best International Band in 2016. They have also won the Best UK Act award at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2014. The band has received nominations at the NME Awards, including Best British Band in 2016.
Circa Survive:
Circa Survive is an American rock band formed in 2004 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The band was started by former Saosin vocalist Anthony Green, along with Colin Frangicetto who plays guitar, Nick Beard who plays bass, Steve Clifford who plays drums, and Brendan Ekstrom who plays second guitar. They released their debut album, "Juturna," in 2005, which gained them a significant amount of attention in the post-hardcore and alternative rock scenes. Since then, Circa Survive has released several more albums and gained a dedicated fanbase for their unique blend of progressive rock, post-hardcore, and emo influences. Three of their most popular songs are, "Act Appalled," this song is from their debut album "Juturna" and is one of their most recognizable tracks. "Get Out" from their album "Blue Sky Noise," this song has gained significant popularity and showcases their evolving sound. "The Difference Between Medicine and Poison Is in the Dose" also from "Juturna," this track has been a favorite among fans and showcases the band's intricate musical style. Circa Survive hasn't received mainstream awards like Grammy Awards or MTV Video Music Awards.
However, they have garnered recognition and accolades within the alternative and
rock music communities. They've received praise from critics for their albums and live
performances, and they have a dedicated fanbase that supports their music. While they may not have received formal awards, their impact on the alternative rock scene and their ability to connect with audiences have been noteworthy.
Conclusion:
All of these bands have a ton of great music to listen to and if you haven’t heard of them before you have hours of great music ahead of you. Although all are rock bands, they all have their own distinct sound that makes each of them unique and stand on their own. If you are a rock lover, I’m 100% positive you will love these bands. If you’re new to rock music this is a great place to start. Enjoy!
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