There have been quite a few incredible rock bands from across the pond to make it big through the years. However, we think the Scots, in particular, are quite underrated in the world of rock music. Let’s take a look at four Scottish rock bands that deserve to be celebrated! And if you’ve never listened to any of these four outfits, you might just discover your new favorite band.
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1. The Jesus And Mary Chain
Some would say The Jesus And Mary Chain are the most influential and memorable Scottish rock band of all time. That’s up for debate, but one can’t deny that this alt-rock noise pop outfit has been delivering very memorable tunes since the early 1980s. If you’re not familiar with this band, you’ve probably heard them at the end of Sofia Coppola’s famous film Lost In Translation. They’re certainly unforgettable.
2. The Pastels
If you’ve never heard of The Pastels, you’ve been missing out. This iconic Glasgow rock band is quite revered for inspiring an entire generation of Scottish musicians to make their own music sans major label. This particular band boasts the perfect blend of post-punk and jangle pop that clearly influenced quite a few big bands in the years that followed their inception back in 1981. Up For A Bit With The Pastels and Sittin’ Pretty are great albums to start with.
3. Mogwai
This wouldn’t be a respectable list of great Scottish rock bands without mentioning Mogwai. They’re one of the most influential (and dare we say, underrated) bands in the world of rock, at least in the last few decades or so. This post-rock outfit from Glasgow has been making music since the 1990s, and we’re glad they’re still around. As the Love Continues and Come On Die Young are essential listening.
4. Skids
Ah, Skids. Nothing captures the uniquely Scottish energy of Scottish punk rock quite like this punk rock outfit from Dunfermline. They’ve been around since the late 1970s and are still jamming today. Big names in rock music like U2 and Green Day have hailed Skids as one of their biggest inspirations, and we can see that influence quite clearly. Nobody did punk rock with anthemic, memorable elements quite like Skids.
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