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[Western Music] Cool Three-Piece Bands: Recommended Trios Roundup [2025]

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

Three-piece bands already look cool the moment they step on stage.

With the classic guitar, bass, and drums lineup, it’s a big plus that you can clearly see the drummer in the middle.

Some bands deliver a punkish, straight-ahead sound, while others showcase thick, complex ensembles so skillful you’d never believe they’re just a trio.

The more popular the three-piece band, the more they tend to bring out the appeal of the trio format by leveraging each member’s individual talent and personality.

In this article, we’ll introduce some of the coolest three-piece rock bands in Western music history.

From legendary groups to rising stars of recent years, we’ve got a wide-ranging lineup for you!

[Western Music] Cool Three-Piece Bands: Recommended Trios Roundup [2025] (71–80)

MapsYeah Yeah Yeahs

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps (Official Music Video)

MapsYeah Yeah Yeahs

Yeah Yeah Yeahs are a three-piece band formed in 2000 by three young musicians from New York.

After opening for acts like The Strokes and The White Stripes, they released their debut album, Fever to Tell, in 2003.

It received widespread acclaim and became a hit worldwide.

Their sound, influenced by punk rock and garage rock, and Karen O’s emotional vocals are major draws.

They are also popular in Japan and performed at the Fuji Rock Festival in 2004 and 2006.

Raise the rankinglower

In conclusion

Some of you may have thought that a three-piece lineup tends to result in a simple sound due to the limitations in the number of parts—but perhaps this article has introduced you to bands that defy that image.

Of course, we also hope it conveys that both types are cool: the three-piece bands that deliver straight-ahead rock, and those that, precisely because of the constraints, keep pushing the possibilities of the trio format.