Top 10 Best Australian Bands

AC/DC's 1980 album "Back In Black" currently stands as the #2 all-time highest-selling album. Ever. Given that the #1 spot is occupied by an American, this is a compelling reason to argue that AC/DC is Australia's #1 band. They are also in the record books as Australia's #1 export, having never fallen into the "where are they now" category. They've never had an album that didn't produce at least two or three chart-topping hits. Furthermore, their albums have never gone out of print or become impossible to find.

Not to mention, few bands can compete with creating so many memorable and classic rock anthems and riffs. Even Deep Purple, who are renowned in their own right, only have two of those. And most people don't even recognize "Black Knight" without hearing it.

An absolute Aussie force to be reckoned with, and like no other, they had a "unique sound all to themselves." Rock, pop, disco, ballads - once their music "entertained your senses," it wasn't hard to thrive on Michael's highly polished vocals and the band's immense guitar riffs, drums, bass, piano/synthesizer, and saxophone.

Back in the early '80s, when the band really took off in Australia, Adelaide people were well known as the "hardest critics in Australia." When Adelaide INXS ticket sales went online, they were sold out in 25 minutes flat. Their booking promoter had to quickly organize another concert! So what I'm trying to convey here is like "many countries, nationalities, around the world" reckoned, ("they just really rocked").

Perhaps unusually, I'm not going to comment on their political and cultural importance, their fiery live performances, or their eternal and urgent relevance.

As someone with primarily a classical background, it's all about the notes - melody, harmony, rhythm, form, and sound. I can't think of any band who more consistently excelled at the black art of creating and wrangling fascinating, powerful, and beautifully crafted sounds. The fact that they tap directly into my Australian genes doesn't hurt.

My favorite period is Head Injuries through to Species Deceases, but I love the rest too.

This is literally my favorite band of all time! I remember hearing Don't Dream It's Over on the radio when I was about 3 or 4, after Paul Hester died. Crowded House has always been with me from that point. I cannot think of anyone as consistently brilliant as Neil Finn, and I just think that both he and Tim are seriously underrated in places like the UK and the US. On a song-for-song basis, there is no band that has had so many brilliant songs. When a Crowded House best-of is released, it would probably be fairer to just re-release every album. Also, taking personal opinion aside, where's Cold Chisel? Not top 3? What?

All-time best Australian band ever! They made Australia visible and popular to us "Yanks" from the U.S. I absolutely loved this band and saw them twice when they came to the States. Later, I got to actually meet Colin Hay up close and in person, shake his hand, and get a photo with him! He is hilariously funny.

Totally agree that this band should be at the top of this post!

I agree with AC/DC at number 1. But Men at Work... Are you kidding me? Definitely better than Midnight Oil. Men at Work was a great band. Overkill is one of the greatest songs of all time, and everything from Business as Usual was very strong. Greg Ham's sax work is just awesome!

Silverchair is honestly my favorite band of all time. They have so much passion and talent and sound amazing. They seamlessly transitioned from grunge to hard rock, alternative rock, pop, and indie. They are one of the greatest bands of all time. They were 16 when they were playing on SNL and Letterman, and hold the record for the most ARIA awards. They went on to perform at big shows like Rock in Rio, Big Day Out, Rock AM Ring, MTV Music Awards, and many more. To be put on the spot and handle it so well, they're just amazing.

Silverchair is an amazing band. I could listen to all their albums all day. They have so many good songs which spread over indie, grunge, punk, rock, alternative, and pop. One of the best bands to ever come out of this country without a doubt!

You have Cold Chisel way down the list from their rightful place in the top 5 when they are Australian Rock Royalty. It's like listing Led Zeppelin below Oasis on a British list. I mean, what? This is a band that crosses generations with hit after hit. Even if you don't like them, you have to be impressed with the songwriting and amazing vocals of young Jimmy Barnes. This list loses all credibility with Cold Chisel down this low. Just go see a whole crowd of young kids raise their glass in the air and sing an entire Chisel song, regardless of whether they own a single album.

Beatles producer George Martin said the brothers Gibb have the best three-part harmony of all time! I agree with him. A career spanning five decades and being one of the top five best-selling artists of all time speaks for itself. They deserve to be right at the very top. They are simply the best!

Great music makers! Good before disco, but it was the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack that brought out my favorite Bee Gees music. Definitely one of the greatest disco groups, if not the greatest! That's when everyone dressed with style and had great dance moves.

The best band in the world. Always consistent and unique, never conformist, the band has stuck to their ethics throughout a lengthy career. Brilliant musicians, and Nick remains one of the most entertaining frontmen in the history of live music. We are blessed to have such enigmatic performers.

I'm sorry, but Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds need to be in the top 10. The sophistication of their music places them above most of these bands. Into My Arms, Where the Wild Roses Grow, Are You The One That I've Been Waiting For?, Do You Love Me?, The Ship Song, The Mercy Seat, Red Right Hand - these are some of the best Australian songs ever.

Oh God, this band... This group's music gets played everywhere in the small town where I live during Valentine's Day. Even at local bars, you would hear the group's entire discography being played, especially in movies and TV shows. "All Out Of Love" can be heard in the opening of Deadpool 2.

It's a 70s/80s group that a lot of people cry along to, including me. They were kind of like an Aussie version of The Carpenters, as both specialized in sweet, tender adult contemporary, except for "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All" (my favorite song from the two), which was produced by the legendary Jim Steinman. The group's harmonies were something else, too. Overall, if you like showtune-style balladry, then this is the group for you.

Yank here. Elephant playing on the radio constantly exposed me to them, and listening to both albums pleasantly surprised me. Tracks like Half Full Glass of Wine, Lucidity, Apocalypse Dreams, and Mind Mischief have a gritty '70s sound that I long for. Frankly, Impala has me eager to explore Aussie rock in more detail. Looking forward to more from them in the future.

Both of their albums are absolutely incredible. They're definitely going to keep getting better and better! Already one of the top 5 Aussie bands, in my opinion.

These guys represented the '80s. Iva Davies' great voice and songwriting ability was incredible, not to mention his guitar playing. In my opinion, they are the most underrated Australian band, and their ranking at no. 38 proves it. They deserve to be at least in the top 10 and should absolutely be ahead of some of these bands which I personally haven't even heard of. People just don't respect old music!

This is a band that didn't receive the credit they deserved and still don't today. Although centered around Iva Davies, his talent and songwriting ability is among the best that Australia has to offer. Many of the higher-ranked bands on this list are there due to having one major hit. Little River Band, at number 3! People these days don't know true music. Go the Flowers!

Because they are one of the best Aussie bands that still have more to come. I love their songs because they are of great quality, and it doesn't matter if you are rocking out at the supermarket because you are listening to one of the greatest rock artists ever.

I think Wolfmother's debut album was better than anything AC/DC has ever made. They deserve to be much higher than 7. However, I don't think any new members will ever match the magic that the original lineup produced. I also think Airbourne should make the top ten.

I think if this was a list of the most influential Australian metal bands, Parkway could reach the top 5 easily. It's because of them that any Australian metal band can have international success. Before Parkway, there were only a few Australian metal bands that could reach out of Australia, and now record labels are willing to take a risk on young Australian bands because of Parkway. Without them, we wouldn't have bands like In Hearts Wake or Northlane. Also, how many bands can you name that have never released a bad album?

This band should be in places 2-3, not 13! They may be an older band, but they have great songs, such as Truly Madly Deeply and To the Moon and Back. They were very popular in 1997.

Totally agree - whoever put this band below those few at the top went wrong somewhere. This band's sound in all songs is incredible - true art in the making!

One of the best bands in Australia, with their hits To the Moon and Back, I Knew I Loved You, and Truly Madly Deeply.

I don't really like this band's hits. I prefer songs that aren't hits, like Rejects which is cooler than She Looks So Perfect. This band isn't so bad. They are cool and funny. I'm 37 years old and listen to them. My son showed them to me. I think they are good. Are they bringing rock back yet? Girls should not listen just to pop songs.

I think they should be on this list too. They are very talented. And no, they are not a boyband. They write their own songs, play their own instruments, and, to me, sound better live than on the records.

They really had, or maybe still have, a chance to become a well-known pop-rock/punk band, not a boyband. But then One Direction happened, so yeah... They are pretty good, and you should give them a chance.