Recommended Western alternative rock bands that connect to the modern rock scene

ATTACKThirty Seconds To Mars

Thirty Seconds To Mars – ATTACK

Thirty Seconds to Mars is a rock band from Los Angeles, USA, also known for having actor Jared Leto as its frontman.

Centered on alternative rock, their hallmark is an expansive sound that skillfully weaves in progressive rock and electronica.

Formed in 1998, their second album, A Beautiful Lie, released in 2005, has sold over 4 million copies.

The track The Kill became a major hit, staying on the Billboard Modern Rock chart for more than 50 weeks.

They boast an impressive awards history as well, having won Best Rock multiple times at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Their music features philosophical, profound lyrics and a distinctive worldview, captivating listeners who seek a genre-transcending musical experience.

Mile endPulp

Pulp – Mile end

Pulp, the British band fronted by Jarvis Cocker.

This song, which features bright, upbeat sounds paired with quintessentially British, irony-laced lyrics, was also included on the soundtrack to the film Trainspotting.

The raucous feel of the outro strikes me as carefree, almost recklessly spontaneous—like it’s portraying aimless, happy-go-lucky youth.

Movin’ On UpPrimal Scream

Primal Scream – Movin on Up (Lyrics)

This is the opening track of the smash-hit 90s album, Screamadelica.

Beginning with acoustic guitar strums, the song weaves together soul music, reggae, and dub, evoking a bright, sun-drenched summertime vibe.

Flowers Of RomancePublic Image Ltd

Public Image Ltd.- Flowers Of Romance

This is the title track from the third album, Flowers of Romance.

After the second album, bassist Jah Wobble left the band, and without recruiting a new bassist, they developed a sound that leaned toward Middle Eastern and Eastern music.

On this track, they present a curious combination of minimal drums and Middle Eastern musical elements.

Black Fingernails, Red WineEskimo Joe

Eskimo Joe – Black Fingernails, Red Wine

With their melodious rock sound, Eskimo Joe brought a fresh breeze to the Australian music scene.

Formed in East Fremantle, Western Australia in 1997, they’ve fused a diverse range of styles—rooted in alternative rock while incorporating pop, indie, and electronica.

Their 2004 album A Song Is a City achieved double platinum, and 2006’s Black Fingernails, Red Wine reached 4× platinum.

At the ARIA Music Awards that same year, they won in four categories, earning high acclaim both at home and abroad.

Remarkably, they have never undergone a lineup change since their formation; the emotionally rich songs crafted by the trio are simple yet unfold with dramatic flair.

A recommended band for those who want to experience powerful melodies and profound lyricism.

Outdoor MinerWire

Wire: Outdoor Miner

Here’s a track from Wire, the London band known for the famous line “Anything but rock.” This one’s from their second album, and as you can tell from the presence of piano, it shows how much they’d grown from their debut, where they were practically amateurs.

I love the section in the latter half where the vocals intertwine—it somehow always brings me to the verge of tears.

What Do You Want Me To Say?The Dismemberment Plan

What Do You Want Me To Say? – The Dismemberment Plan

A track from the Dismemberment Plan’s third album, a band formed in the U.

S.

in 1993.

In the intro, each instrument plays with a restrained, minimal touch, and then the chorus hits hard all at once—classic, but still great.

Maybe it’s the vocal timbre, but it has a youthful, earnest feel that makes you recall faint memories of past romances.