In the spring of 2004, a little known indie band called The Killers dominated British airwaves. Their debut single, Mr. Brightside, propelled them to the top of the UK charts. Labeled as the "best british band from America", they achieved mainstream success in the US also, but it wasn't anywhere near the popularity they attained in the UK.
Mr. Brightside, lead single of the Killers debut album, Hot Fuss was a tribute to the sounds of Depeche Mode, the Cure, and Duran Duran. They were apart of the retro reinvention of rock music, a genre commonly classified as post-punk revival.
Popular bands of the 70s and 80s had a profound influence on modern bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the Strokes. Post-punk revival was defined as a sub-culture of alternative rock which derived inspiration from the post-punk and New Wave movement of the late 1970s. It is popularly characterized by a DIY vibe, repetitive guitar chords, and synthesizers. However, the genre is too broad to categorize only a certain sound.
These are the influences,
But it wasn't just the music that mattered. Image also played a very important role.
During their early days, bands like the Killers and Franz Ferdinand subsisted on a diet of fitted jeans, "guyliner" (just plain ol' eyeliner, really), coiffed hair, and skinny ties. Bands like the Strokes and the Black Keys were a little bit different. Their clothing style was a fusion of Nirvana and the Sex Pistols. Therefore,
Post-punk revival started as an indie movement. In 2003, it emerged among the mainstream and was extremely well-received. These bands started winning major music awards such as the Grammy's, the VMA's, and the Billboard Music Awards. You would see them everywhere: on Saturday Night Live, on talk shows, in Apple commercials, and in music and fashion magazines.
They coincidentally became the poster child for the rebellion against the polished pop music of the early 2000s. Britney Spears and her ex-Mouseketeers were considered "manufactured" and "robotic", while indie bands such as Interpol and the Arctic Monkeys were regarded as "authentic" and "exciting".
Teenagers and young adults alike were in a flurry to be the first to discover the "Next Big Thing", a title given to the Arctic Monkeys who were discovered via the Internet. The indie-er the band, the cooler you looked. Even the way you dressed was a social commentary of your musical tastes, ergo band t-shirts sold like hot cakes, and concert wrist bands were proudly displayed. These items were proof that you were actually fans of the band. Therefore, you were a fan of "real" music.
Post-punk revival became the new "cool".
But just like the trends of squiggly bracelets, and men's fedoras, the popularity of post-punk revival declined in 2007. Most of the bands mentioned above either disbanded or are on hiatus. Only a few like the Killers and Franz Ferdinand are still going strong, but their post-punk revival roots aren't as obvious now when compared to their debuts.
However, it seems that it is making a comeback again since 2011. Fortunately, bands such as the Black Keys and Foster the People are continuing to develop this eccentric, jangly, but ultimately catchy brand of music.
Mr. Brightside, lead single of the Killers debut album, Hot Fuss was a tribute to the sounds of Depeche Mode, the Cure, and Duran Duran. They were apart of the retro reinvention of rock music, a genre commonly classified as post-punk revival.
Popular bands of the 70s and 80s had a profound influence on modern bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the Strokes. Post-punk revival was defined as a sub-culture of alternative rock which derived inspiration from the post-punk and New Wave movement of the late 1970s. It is popularly characterized by a DIY vibe, repetitive guitar chords, and synthesizers. However, the genre is too broad to categorize only a certain sound.
These are the influences,
And these are the influenced,
During their early days, bands like the Killers and Franz Ferdinand subsisted on a diet of fitted jeans, "guyliner" (just plain ol' eyeliner, really), coiffed hair, and skinny ties. Bands like the Strokes and the Black Keys were a little bit different. Their clothing style was a fusion of Nirvana and the Sex Pistols. Therefore,
Grunge + Punk = Homeless Hipsters
| The Killers, 2005 |
They coincidentally became the poster child for the rebellion against the polished pop music of the early 2000s. Britney Spears and her ex-Mouseketeers were considered "manufactured" and "robotic", while indie bands such as Interpol and the Arctic Monkeys were regarded as "authentic" and "exciting".
| The Strokes, 2003 |
Post-punk revival became the new "cool".
But just like the trends of squiggly bracelets, and men's fedoras, the popularity of post-punk revival declined in 2007. Most of the bands mentioned above either disbanded or are on hiatus. Only a few like the Killers and Franz Ferdinand are still going strong, but their post-punk revival roots aren't as obvious now when compared to their debuts.
However, it seems that it is making a comeback again since 2011. Fortunately, bands such as the Black Keys and Foster the People are continuing to develop this eccentric, jangly, but ultimately catchy brand of music.
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