Top 10 New Wave Bands
These are the best new wave groups. This is mainly soft rock with some smooth guitar and piano parts. The drummers don't go crazy they just keep the beat, which is all they are supposed to do.
Depeche Mode are an English electronic and synth-pop band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke. Not only one of the best New Wave bands of all time, but they are definitely one of my favorite music artists. The dark, unique, and melancholy sound of their music is just incredible.
Imagine hating Depeche Mode, the god of electronic rock.
Depeche Mode is hands down the best New Wave band ever!
The Cure are an English post-punk/gothic rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1978. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member.
Talking Heads were an American rock band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Jerry Harrison. New Wave would not be as well-known as it is without the Talking Heads. David Byrne's antics, Tina Weymouth's solid bass playing, Chris Frantz's drumming, and Jerry Harrison's licks defined the sound of the Talking Heads. Albums like Talking Heads 77, More Songs About Buildings and Food, Fear of Music, Remain in Light, and Speaking in Tongues helped to shape New Wave like never before.
The live album/movie Stop Making Sense allows the listener to give their own view on the Talking Heads' shows.
New Wave, Art Pop, Art Punk, Post-Punk, Funk, Afrobeat. These guys can be classified as many genres.
Duran Duran are an English new wave/synthpop band formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were a successful band of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the US. Wow, second place. They should be number one, but every band on this list is good. New Wave is so much better than the music now. I can't even listen to 21st-century music without the fear of my ears bleeding.
Duran Duran owned the '80s with hit after fabulous hit. Their videos were cinematic masterpieces, with most fans eagerly awaiting the next one. They were Lady Di's favorite band and many others around the world as well.
Talk about five guys who studied the artistry of New Wave, who lived it, who breathed it, who were rebels at it. That's Duran Duran.
Blondie is an American rock band founded by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American new wave and punk scenes of the mid-late 1970s. Blondie makes very catchy and enjoyable songs. The female singer has a beautiful voice as well.
Blondie is the epitome of New Wave! Their quirky lyrics, riffs, and roots at CBGB's make them number one in the New Wave category.
Great mix of punk, disco, alternative rock, and new wave.
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980, currently comprising Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Phil Cunningham and Tom Chapman. This band, created in the ashes of Joy Division, was unique, experimental, and extremely creative. They showed the world how great electronic music can be.
These guys are basically the phoenix that rose out of the ashes of one of the most influential post-punk bands ever, Joy Division! How can you not like them?
Based on their music alone, New Order is the definitive New Wave band.
The Cars were an American rock band that emerged from the new wave scene in the late 1970s. The band originated in Boston, Massachusetts in 1976, with singer, rhythm guitarist and songwriter Ric Ocasek, singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, lead guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer... read more The Cars' songs were quirky, catchy, and infectious. They are not a band that is easily pigeonholed. The cover of their album Candy-O, created by legend Alberto Vargas, was iconic.
Devo is an American rock band from Akron, Ohio formed in 1973. Their classic lineup consisted of two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales, along with Alan Myers. The band had a No. 14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", the song that gave the band mainstream popularity... read more 15th?! Really?! Out of all listed, DEVO should be number one!
Joy Division were an English post-punk band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band consisted of singer Ian Curtis, guitarist and keyboardist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook, and drummer Stephen Morris. The originals. Ian Curtis took them from punk to New Wave and gave birth to the great New Order. They stand toe to toe with The Cure and Depeche Mode.
They are so much better than The Killers! Seriously, people?
The B-52s are an American new wave band, formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. The original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson, and Keith Strickland. Their first two LPs are the greatest New Wave albums, in my opinion.
The Newcomers
Tears for Fears are an English pop/rock band formed in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the new wave synthesizer bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into mainstream rock... read more Tears for Fears is great. They have a very unique and catchy sound to their music. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is one of my favorite songs of all time.
The Killers is an American pop rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001, by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning. One of my fave bands next to The Strokes. I love The Killers. They sound brilliant. Brandon Flowers is very talented. There's something catchy and relatable on all their albums.
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland. They are most known for their songs "Message In A Bottle", "Don't Stand So Close To Me", "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", "Roxanne",... read more Though I'm not much into New Wave or a poppier approach to rock in general, The Police will forever be one of my favorite bands. Their music is just stunning and has helped me through some rough times.
At one time, they were the number one band in the world, and no one could touch them.
Sparks are an American pop and rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1972 by brothers Ron and Russell Mael. The duo formed in 1968 under the name Halfnelson.
Seriously underrated band! They hated being called New Wave, but I can't really think of them as anything else.
Television is an American rock band from New York City formed in 1973. The group was founded by Tom Verlaine, Richard Lloyd, Billy Ficca, and Richard Hell. An early fixture of CBGB and the 1970s New York rock scene, the band is considered influential in the development of punk and alternative music. They made "Marquee Moon." Need I say more?
Siouxsie and the Banshees were an English rock band, formed in London in 1976 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and bass guitarist Steven Severin. They have been widely influential, both over their contemporaries and with later acts. Although a bit before my time, I am so impressed by Siouxsie and the Banshees! In fact, her version of the song Helter Skelter is honestly one of the most radically awesome things I have ever seen or heard in my entire life! Seriously, it has personally become an anthem for me as well as a new favorite song overnight.
She and her band are, in my opinion, true pioneers of punk rock among other types of music today. She is certainly deserving of being in the top ten!
Culture Club are an English band that was formed in 1981. The band comprised Boy George, Roy Hay, Mikey Craig and Jon Moss.
Bauhaus were an English gothic rock/post-punk band, formed in Northampton, England in 1978. The group consisted of Peter Murphy, Daniel Ash, Kevin Haskins and David J.
A Flock of Seagulls are an English new wave and synthpop band originally formed in 1980 in Liverpool by Michael "Mike" Score and his brother Alister "Ali" James Score; with their most famous line-up consisting of the Score brothers along with Francis Lee "Frank" Maudsley and Paul Reynolds.
A-ha is a Norwegian band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy. Why is A-ha not here? They have so many good songs. They have to be on this list!
Eurythmics were a British music duo consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. Stewart and Lennox were both previously in the band The Tourists, who split up in 1980; Eurythmics were formed that year in London.