The Smiths were one of the most influential bands in the 80s. The band consisted of Morrissey on vocals and lead guitar, Johnny Marr on guitars and backing vocals, Andy Rourke on bass guitar, and Mike Joyce on drums.
They broke up in 1987, but while active, they produced four studio albums, and their music still resonates with fans today. If you’re a fan of The Smiths, you’ll love these ten bands that are similar to them:
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1. The Cure
The Cure is a popular alternative rock band formed in 1978 in Crawley, West Sussex. Their music is described as dark, depressing, gothic.
The band started as a punk rock band, but their sound evolved over the years. The Smiths are often compared to The Cure, and the two bands share many similarities in sound and style.
2. The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain are known for their loud, distorted sound and chaotic live shows. They are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in 1983 and released six studio albums before disbanding in 1999.
The Jesus and Mary Chain reunited in 2007 and are still active. Their sound is similar to The Smiths, more specifically with “Just Like Honey” and “April Skies.”
3. Pulp
Pulp is an English indie rock band that formed in 1978. They achieved success in the 1990s, with their album “His ‘n’ Hers” reaching number nine on the UK Albums Chart. The band is best known for their hits “Common People” and “Sorted for E’s & Wizz.”
Pulp split in 2001 but reunited in 2011 and are still active today. Pulp’s music is categorized as Britpop, and they are often compared to The Smiths.
4. The Psychedelic Furs
The Psychedelic Furs are an English rock band that formed in 1977. They are well known for their hits “Love My Way” and “Pretty In Pink.” The band has released eight studio albums.
The Psychedelic Furs significantly influenced new wave and hard rock movements. Even though they came before The Smiths, they shared many similarities in sound.
5. The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses are an English alternative rock band that formed in 1983. They are often credited with starting the Manchester music scene and popularizing the Madchester genre.
The band released two studio albums before disbanding in 1996. The Stone Roses reunited in 2011 before finally splitting in 2017. The band’s sound is a mix of indie rock, psychedelic rock, and dance music similar to The Smiths.
6. Talking Heads
Talking Heads are an American new wave band that formed in 1975. They are best known for their hits “Psycho Killer” and “Burning Down the House.” The band split in 1991, releasing eight studio albums but reunited in 2002 and toured until 2008.
The Talking Heads’ music mixes new wave, art rock, and funk. Being at their peak roughly about the same time, both bands shared similarities.
7. New Order
New Order are an English synthpop group formed in 1980 by the remaining members of Joy Division after Ian Curtis’ death. The band is best known for their hits “Blue Monday” and “True Faith.”
New Order disbanded in 2006 but reunited in 2011. The band’s sound is a mix of synthpop, alternative rock, and electronica. They were pioneers of dance music, and, like The Smiths, they led the music generation forward.
8. Siouxsie and The Banshees
Siouxsie and the Banshees are an English rock band formed in London in 1976. They are best known for their hits “Hong Kong Garden” and “Hand in Glove.” The band was part of the British new wave and post-punk movements, releasing 11 studio albums before disbanding in 1996. Their sound is associated with new wave, punk rock, gothic rock, and electronica.
9. Blur
Blur is an English rock band that formed in 1989. The band is best known for their hits “Song 2” and “Parklife.” They helped popularize the Britpop genre in the 1990s. The band broke up in 2002 but reunited in 2009. Blur’s music is a mix of alternative rock, Britpop, and electronic music.
10. Echo & the Bunnymen
They are an English rock band that formed in Liverpool in 1978. The band is best known for their hits “The Cutter” and “Lips Like Sugar.” Their genre is described as post-punk, new wave, and neo-psychedelia. Echo & the Bunnymen released twelve studio albums.
Conclusion
The Smiths were a hugely influential band in the alternative rock movement of the 1980s. They are known for their hits “How Soon Is Now?”, “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” and “Bigmouth Strikes Again.” The band split in 1987, but their music still resonates with fans today.
Their genre is classified as indie rock, and they are similar to bands like Pulp, The Psychedelic Furs, The Stone Roses, Talking Heads, New Order, Blur, and Echo & the Bunnymen. If you’re a fan of The Smiths, then you’ll likely enjoy these bands as well.
The Cure Image by: momento mori from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Jesus and Mary Chain Image by: Liane Chan from Buena Park, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pulp Image by: Jason Persse from Brooklyn, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Psychedelic Furs Image by: Charlie Salazar, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Stone Roses Image by: mari, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Talking Heads Image by: Harrison and Wemouth by Michael Markos, Byrne and Frantz by Jean-Luc, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
New Order Image by: RL GNZLZ from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Siouxsie and The Banshees Image by: Polydor, Fair use, Link
Blur Image by: Various (cropped and combined together by Indopug), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Echo & the Bunnymen Image by: derivative work: JD554 (talk)Bunnymen_2005-08-06.jpg: GothEric, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
