Top 10 80s Indie Bands

Even though there is still the argument as to exactly when “independent” became “indie”, we can all agree that there were so many brilliant alternative bands which rocked our world during the 80s!

Now, we don't want any fights breaking out between our fans about which bands are missing or shouldn't be in there, BUT we have decided to put together a list of our Top 10 80s Indie Bands. Check them out below, and let us know on our social channels what are your favourite 80s Indie Bands!

10. CACTUS WORLD NEWS

Years active: 1984 - now
Influences: The Clash, Ramones, REM
Hometown: Dublin
Jam: 'Worlds Apart'

Cactus World News is an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in April 1984. The band was made up by Frank Kearns, Eoin McEvoy, Wayne Sheehy and Fergal MacAndris. Their first release and best known song was "The Bridge", which was produced by U2's Bono. They really rose to fame when they toured the UK with The Cult in 1985 and signed to MCA Records.

 
9. FAITH NO MORE

Years active: 1979 - now
Influences: Black Sabbath, Killing Joke
Hometown: San Francisco
Jam: 'Epic'

Faith No More, FCM, is an American rock band from San Francisco, California who formed in 1979. They recorded their first song "Quiet in Heaven/Song of Liberty" in one of the bandmate's garage in 1973. After releasing six studio albums, including their best-selling records The Real Thing and Angel Dust, they officially announced their breakup on April 20, 1998. 

 
8. THE WEDDING PRESENT

Years active: 1985 - Now
Influences: The Fall, Buzzcocks
Hometown: Leeds
Jam: 'Kennedy'

The Wedding Present have had eighteen UK Top 40 hit singles which is amazing for a band which has refused to play the record industry’s game. The Wedding Present are a British indie rock group originally formed in 1985 in Leeds. It all started in 1985 when David Lewis Gedge boarded a National Express coach with 500 records packed into suitcases and delivered the band’s debut single 'Go Out And Get 'Em, Boy!' to a distribution company in Yorkshire. Throughout their career, they have been led by vocalist and guitarist David Gedge, the band's only constant member. 

 
7. THE CULT

Years active: 1983 - Now
Influences: The Doors, Led Zep
Hometown: Bradford
Jam: 'She Sells Sanctuary'

The Cult are a British rock band who formed in 1983, they gained a hardcore fanbase in the UK in the mid-1980s as a post-punk/gothic rock band, with the single "She Sells Sanctuary". They broke the US in the late 1980s as a hard rock band with singles such as "Love Removal Machine" and "Fire Woman.  

6. NEW ORDER

Years active: 1980 - Now
Influences: Joy Division, The Velvet Underground
Hometown: Manchester
Jam: 'True Faith'

New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris. New Order were formed after the demise of their previous post-punk band Joy Division, following the suicide of vocalist Ian Curtis. Their integration of post-punk with electronic and dance music made them one of the most critically acclaimed and influential bands of the 1980s.

 
5. THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN

Years active: 1983 - Now
Influences: The Stooges, The Shangri-Las
Hometown: East Kilbride
Jam: 'Just Like Honey'

The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid. After signing to independent label Creation Records, they released their first single "Upside Down" in 1984. Their debut album Psychocandy was well recieved when released in 1985. The band went on to release five more studio albums before breaking up in 1999. They then reunited in 2007.

4. NIRVANA

Years active: 1987 - 1994
Influences: Redd Kross, Iggy Pop
Hometown: Aberdeen
Jam: 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'

Now we all know this one! Nirvana was an American rock band formed by lead singer guitarist and legend Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen in 1987. Nirvana went through a succession of drummers, the longest-lasting and best-known being the legend that is Dave Grohl, who joined in 1990. Despite releasing only three full-length studio albums in their seven-year career, Nirvana is known as one of the most influential and important alternative bands in history. Though the band ended in 1994 after the death of Cobain, their music continues to live on.

3. DEPECHE MODE

Years active: 1980 - Now
Influences: Sparks, Siouxsie and the Banshees
Hometown: Basildon
Jam: 'Enjoy the Silence'

Depeche Mode are an English electronic band formed in Basildon in 1980. The group consists of founders Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher. While playing a live gig at the Bridge House in Canning Town the band were approached by Daniel Miller who was interested in their recording a single for his up and coming label. Depeche Mode have had 50 songs in the UK Singles Chart and have sold over 100 million records worldwide.

 
2. THE STONE ROSES

Years active: 1983 - Now
Influences: The Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, The Smiths
Hometown: Manchester
Jam: 'I Wanna be Adored'

Of course we couldn't forget The Stone Roses! As we all know they are an English rock band who formed in Manchester in 1983. The band's most prominent lineup was Ian Brown, John Squire, Mani and Reni. When the band released their debut album, The Stone Roses, it was a breakthrough success and garnered critical acclaim. This album was considered to be one of the greatest British albums ever recorded. 

 
1. PIXIES

Years active: 1986 - Now
Influences: The Beatles, The Bee Gees
Hometown: Boston
Jam: 'Where Is My Mind'

The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston. Local promoter Ken Goes became the band's manager, who passed the demo to an independent record label 4AD to which they were first signed. Their jarring pop sound influenced bands such as Nirvana, Radiohead, Bush, Blur and Weezer. They grew very popular in the years following their break-up, which lead to sold-out world tours following their reunion in 2004.