Top 10 Bands that Sound Better Live
I tried to keep my picks to bands I have personally seen. However, if you think a band sounds better live based on live albums you've heard, throw them on the list.
The Ramones were an American punk rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first band to define the punk rock sound. Best live show I've ever been to. Sound, energy, speed, was amazing. BIGGEST figure 8 pit I've ever been in/seen in my life. So thankful I got to see them.
The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. The group disbanded in 1993 in acrimonious circumstances, but reunited in 2004. The group currently consists of founders Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering. They just straight sound great live. Not much more to say. I believe Joey is one of the most underrated guitarists out there. The dude jams. Stoked I got to see the original lineup.
Primus is an American funk metal band based in San Francisco, California, currently composed of bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Tim Alexander. Les Claypool is regarded as one of the best bassists of all time for his slap-bass ability in notable songs like "My Name Is Mud",... read more So talented. To hear each one of them jam solo live was amazing. We all know about Les, but they have one of the most underrated drummers in rock music.
Unfortunately, this is the only crew listed (so far) where I've actually been at the show, but I've seen them like 6 times. They are great live and a lot of fun.
These guys jam. One of my favorite psychobilly bands. They put all their hearts and souls into their live performances.
One of the best live punk bands of all time. Even to this day.
When recorded in the studio, they're one of my favorite punk bands from the U.K. With that being said, they're even better live.
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness, Jonny Wickersham, Brent Harding, David Hidalgo, Jr., and David Kalish. Amazing live. I have a friend that I grew up with, but we were into totally different things. I was into skateboarding, punk rock, and I drank and smoked. He was into raves, techno music, and didn't drink or smoke. We had our own group of friends, but yet we were still good friends.
In the early '90s, he agreed to go to his first punk show with me if I went to my first underground rave with him. I took him to see Social D. He fell in love with them. After that, he came with me to see a few more bands, but he still says Social D was the best live. Years later, he went with his girlfriend to the show where they recorded the Live At The Roxy album. To this day, he's still a huge Social D fan.
Not only do they sound great live, but the band's, especially frontman Monkey, theatrics make for a killer fun show. One of punk's most fun bands to see live.
So many of their songs performed live sound so much better than their studio-recorded versions.
The Newcomers
Ween is an American experimental rock band formed in 1984, in New Hope, PA. It's members are Dean and Gene Ween.
Phish is an American rock band that was founded at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont in 1983. It is known for musical improvisation, extended jams, blending of genres, and a dedicated fan base.
Sound great live and are a lot of fun.
Metallica is an American heavy and thrash metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Ron McGovney (bass). They first gained mainstream fame with their 1991 self-titled album (The Black Album)... read more I know it's probably blasphemy here, but I'm not really a fan. I only like And Justice For All and Kill 'Em All. With that being said, I saw them with Guns N Roses in the mid '90s with my girlfriend at the time who was a fan.
I gotta admit, they rocked live. I thought a lot of their songs sounded better live. By the way, Guns N' Roses SUCKED live.
Queen is an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar). Before Queen, May and Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury, a fan... read more
Green Day are an American pop punk and punk rock band formed in East Bay, California, in 1987. The core members are Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), and Tré Cool (drums), with Jason White often performing live on guitar. They blend punk rock, pop punk, and alternative rock,... read more
The Beastie Boys were an American Rap/Rock group that was formed in 1981 by its three original members, Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz, and Adam "MCA" Yauch. The show I saw was about 70% punk. They sound awesome. True musicians and masters at their crafts in both punk and hip hop.
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The members are Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, lead guitar, piano, keyboards), Dom Howard (drums, percussion), and Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals). They have won numerous awards, including five MTV Europe Music Awards,... read more
The Damned is a British punk rock band formed in London in 1976. They were one of the first punk bands to release a single, contributing to the birth of the UK punk movement. Over the years, the band's style has evolved to include elements of goth rock and post-punk. The Damned are recognized for their... read more