Best Alternative Rock Bands of the 2000s

The Top Ten

Muse

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

Muse... Where do I start? Bellamy's falsetto? Dom's fills? Chris's basslines? Really, I'm not sure. So many of their songs absolutely blew me away the first time I listened to them. Now they are ingrained memories.
I really do think that Chris's basslines, as a bassist, are fun to play and absolutely wonderful sounding. The first of their songs I ever listened to was Knights of Cydonia, and I just remember being taken aback by the sound. Thanks, Muse!
Coldplay

Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1996. The group includes Chris Martin (lead vocals, piano), Jonny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals). Their manager, Phil Harvey, is often referred to as the unofficial fifth member.... read more

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I love Coldplay so much. Their music is emotional but not dreary and depressing, catchy but not annoying, and beautiful but not cheesy! Chris Martin's voice is sheer perfection, and the instrumentals provided by Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Guy Berryman are amazing!
I have so much respect for them since they don't do dumb stuff and stay out of the tabloids for bad reasons. I saw them in concert a few months ago and they put on a wicked show! Everyone has light-up wristbands that are all in sync with the songs according to the concert, and it is quite the sight to see.
The incredible production, live vocals that resemble perfection to the studio versions, and the whole stadium singing along create an atmosphere I will never forget. Most bands fizzle out and are one-hit wonders, but that is not Coldplay. All of their 7 studio albums have hit #1 in many countries.
Whether you hate Coldplay or love them, you have to admit that they are the most popular band of the 2000s and most likely will continue to be for many years to come.
The Strokes

The Strokes are an American rock band formed in New York City in 1998. The band consists of Julian Casablancas (lead vocalist), Nick Valensi (guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist), Albert Hammond Jr. (rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist), Nikolai Fraiture (bassist), and Fabrizio Moretti... read more

One of the only true rock bands still out there. One of the best, might even be the best 2000s group, and they have some of the best lyrics in their music. Plus, who doesn't like Julian Casablancas?

First Impressions of Earth is one of the most underrated albums of all time, and my favorite Strokes album. These guys are cool.

The best rock group of the 2000s and will continue to be one of the greatest rock bands for generations to come.
Arctic Monkeys

The Arctic Monkeys, also known by the pseudonym Death Ramps, are a British indie rock band formed in 2002 in Sheffield, England. The lineup includes Alex Turner (lead vocalist, songwriter, electric and rhythm guitarist), Jamie Cook (electric and rhythm guitarist, songwriter), Matt Helders (drummer, backing... read more

This one is one of the greatest!
The White Stripes

The White Stripes were an American rock duo formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The duo consisted of Jack White (born Jack Gillis), who handled songwriting, vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboards, and Meg White, who played drums and provided backing vocals. Jack adopted Meg's surname after their marriage.... read more
Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters are an American alternative rock band formed in Seattle in 1994. The band was founded by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl after Kurt Cobain's death and Nirvana's breakup. The current lineup consists of Dave Grohl (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, primary songwriter), Pat Smear (rhythm guitar... read more
The Killers

The Killers are an American pop rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2001 by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning. The band gained international fame with their debut album Hot Fuss (2004), which included hit singles like Mr. Brightside and Somebody Told Me. They've since released multiple albums and... read more

The best band. I don't understand how people consider them a one-hit wonder. They've had many hits, just to name a few: Mr. Brightside, Somebody Told Me, When You Were Young, Human. Plus, their lesser-known songs are AMAZING. Highly recommend.
Linkin Park

Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), Emily Armstrong (vocals), and Colin Brittain (drums). Linkin Park... read more
Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American funk-rock and alternative rock band founded in 1983 in Los Angeles. The current core lineup includes Anthony Kiedis, Michael "Flea" Balzary, Chad Smith, and Joshua Klinghoffer, although John Frusciante remains the most acclaimed guitarist associated with the... read more
Green Day

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, drawing... read more

Yes, they are not just punk but also alternative rock. Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Wake Me Up When September Ends, 21 Guns, and Are We the Waiting are awesome. Not punk, but alternative rock.

The Newcomers

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Klimt 1918
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The Pineapple Thief

The Pineapple Thief is an alternative rock and progressive rock band, started by Bruce Soord in 1999 in Somerset, England. The band has released over a dozen studio albums, including Your Wilderness and Versions of the Truth. They are known for their melodic sound and emotional songwriting.

The Contenders

Radiohead

Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway, and Ed O'Brien.
Known for their experimentation and sonic evolution, they rose to international prominence with OK Computer and continued... read more

Not including their first three albums (one of them being hailed as one of the greatest of all time), they still have an incredible selection of music. Kid A, Hail to the Thief, In Rainbows, and A Moon Shaped Pool are all beautifully made albums, and those four alone are more than enough evidence as to why this band is much better than any other band on this list.
A close second would be The White Stripes.

What? 10? Below one-hit wonders The Killers and punk Green Day? Coldplay are a crap Radiohead cover band. Even Chris said that! I love them, but Radiohead is 100 times better.
Blink 182

Blink‑182 is an American pop‑punk band formed in 1992. The original lineup featured Mark Hoppus (bass, vocals), Tom DeLonge (guitar, vocals), and Scott Raynor (drums). Raynor was replaced in 1998 by Travis Barker. The band rose to mainstream success with the album Enema of the State and has released... read more
Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire is a Canadian indie rock band based in Montreal, Quebec, consisting of husband and wife Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, along with Win's younger brother Will Butler, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury, and Jeremy Gara. The band is known for its eclectic musical style and grandiose live performances... read more
Evanescence

Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1994 by singer and keyboardist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. The group rose to prominence in the early 2000s with their debut studio album Fallen (2003), which included the hit singles Bring Me to Life and My Immortal.... read more
Paramore

Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, guitarist Taylor York, and drummer Zac Farro. They rose to fame with albums like Riot! (2007) and Brand New Eyes (2009), known for blending pop-punk and alternative... read more
Papa Roach

Papa Roach is an American rock band from Vacaville, California. Formed in 1993, their major-label debut album Infest was released in 2000 and certified triple-platinum. The band is known for hits like Last Resort and has continued to release albums into the 2020s.
Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. The founding lineup included Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard, and Jeff Ament. The band is best known for its debut album Ten, which features the hit singles "Even Flow," "Black," and "Jeremy," and was named after basketball... read more
Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons is an American pop rock band from Provo, Utah, now based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The band's lineup includes lead vocalist Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and touring drummer Andrew Tolman.... read more

Last?! LAST?! This is not only the best alternative rock band but the best band of any kind!

They are not the best but definitely one of the best. They are a good band and throw good concerts. I like how the lead artist always gives a speech about depression since he went through it.
The Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The group was formed in 1988 by frontman Billy Corgan and guitarist James Iha, with bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin joining to complete the original lineup.... read more

The Smashing Pumpkins are a terribly nostalgic band for me. I grew up listening to them and I'm so glad I did. I would absolutely kill to hear Mayonaise for the first time again.
My Chemical Romance

My Chemical Romance is an American rock band from Newark, New Jersey, formed in 2001. The lineup since 2019 includes lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, bassist Mikey Way, and drummer Jarrod Alexander. Bob Bryar was the drummer from 2004 to 2010. The band has released critically... read more

I love how a lot of these bands from this era sing about real stuff and show real emotion. My Chem does this a lot and puts so much power in their music it can make you cry. Songs like "Cancer," "Sleep," and "Welcome to the Black Parade" are just so emotional. They have lots of great songs that should never be forgotten.

My Chemical Romance is the best, well, one of the best. I'm kinda new to alternative rock, but when I first started listening to them, I hated their music. Then it started to grow on me. Sadly, they separated, but it's for the best and they are living happy lives.
Three Days Grace

Three Days Grace is a Canadian post-grunge and alternative rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario, in 1992. The original lineup consisted of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer and backing vocalist Neil Sanderson, and bassist Brad Walst. Initially named Groundswell, the band changed its name... read more
Gorillas

Gorillaz are an English virtual band created in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett. The group consists of four animated members: 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs. Their music spans genres such as alternative rock, hip hop, and electronic, with notable albums including... read more
Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine is an American rap metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1991. The lineup consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello, and drummer Brad Wilk.
Their politically charged music, which blended rock, hip-hop, and funk, debuted... read more
Shinedown

Shinedown is an American hard rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 2001. The band was founded by Brent Smith, Brad Stewart, Jasin Todd, and Barry Kerch. Shinedown is known for hit songs such as Second Chance, Sound of Madness, and 45.
Panic! at the Disco

Panic! at the Disco was an American pop rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2004. The band was originally a four-piece but later became a solo project led by Brendon Urie. At the time of its disbandment in 2023, the group featured touring members including Dan Pawlovich, Nicole Row, and Mike Naran... read more