Best American Band/Artist (1980 - present)

Arrers

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This is in idea I got from a thread a while back, asking what British band of the above era were best, but the 80's onwards seemed to me as a stronger time for american music, so I made this.

If I had to pick one, it'd would probably be They Might Be Giants.

EDIT: I really should've said favorate, sorry.
 

cleverlymadeup

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for american only? have to Nirvana

they've had the widest influence of any american band in the past 30 years. Smells like Teen Spirit still ranks in top ### in either the #1 spot or at least the top 10
 

Arrers

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cleverlymadeup said:
for american only? have to Nirvana

they've had the widest influence of any american band in the past 30 years. Smells like Teen Spirit still ranks in top ### in either the #1 spot or at least the top 10
True, but a lot of peole I know think they're over-rated.
 

Deathsong17

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METALLICA! Versatile, influencial and kickass songs always with kickass solos! (St Anger did not exist)
 

TwistedEllipses

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Arrers said:
cleverlymadeup said:
for american only? have to Nirvana

they've had the widest influence of any american band in the past 30 years. Smells like Teen Spirit still ranks in top ### in either the #1 spot or at least the top 10
True, but a lot of peole I know think they're over-rated.
I would agree with both. They are over-rated but influential and without them I wouldn't have the Foo fighters...
 

implodingMan

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Difficult question. I can't really say who is the "best" band, and I'd have a hard time choosing a favorite. Elliot Smith? Red Hot Chili Peppers? The Strokes? Queens of the Stone Age? How can I chose when they are all so different? It is impossible.

Oh, to hell with it. Queens of the Stone Age.
 

Samoftherocks

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"Best" is WAY to broad a term considering the number of genres, attributes, and albums that have come out in that time and are hard to make direct comparisons with. Now that I've overthought this, I'd say a toss up between Metallica and Nirvana. My personal favorite however....PRIMUS!!!! PRIMUS SUCKS!!!!
 

MisterAnarchist

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Arrers said:
cleverlymadeup said:
for American only? have to Nirvana

they've had the widest influence of any American band in the past 30 years. Smells like Teen Spirit still ranks in top ### in either the #1 spot or at least the top 10
True, but a lot of people I know think they're over-rated.
They are, and Nevermind was a slap in the face of grunge music in general. If you want to know what grunge is supposed to sound like listen to The Melvins.

Though technically not in the past 30 years I'd have to say Frank Zappa was the greatest American musician. He was performing more complex music than the Beatles were writing let alone playing live. And all without the use of any type of drug.
 

SenseOfTumour

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I'd have to go 'favourite' instead of 'best' as that's impossible.

But, Mike Patton has covered so many genres and proved his musical ability in so many ways I'd have to say him, he was / is the frontman of Faith No More, Mr Bungle, Fantomas, Peeping tom and many others.

For gamers however, you may have heard him but not know it, as he 'voiced' the Anger Sphere in Portal, the infected in Left 4 Dead, among others.

Faith No More were known as a rock band, but did so much in so many genres, hell there's a German drinking song on one B side, and they always brought something new to a cover when they chose to do covers.
 

Arrers

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MisterAnarchist said:
Arrers said:
cleverlymadeup said:
for American only? have to Nirvana

they've had the widest influence of any American band in the past 30 years. Smells like Teen Spirit still ranks in top ### in either the #1 spot or at least the top 10
True, but a lot of people I know think they're over-rated.
They are, and Nevermind was a slap in the face of grunge music in general. If you want to know what grunge is supposed to sound like listen to The Melvins.
Even Nirvana didn't like Nevermind much, I've heard.
 

MisterAnarchist

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Arrers said:
MisterAnarchist said:
Arrers said:
cleverlymadeup said:
for American only? have to Nirvana

they've had the widest influence of any American band in the past 30 years. Smells like Teen Spirit still ranks in top ### in either the #1 spot or at least the top 10
True, but a lot of people I know think they're over-rated.
They are, and Nevermind was a slap in the face of grunge music in general. If you want to know what grunge is supposed to sound like listen to The Melvins.
Even Nirvana didn't like Nevermind much, I've heard.
Which is completely true. It was over produced and got rid of the rough sound they wanted. It turned what could have been an amazing album and turned it into something the general populace could use to get into the "alternative" scene. Bleach on the other hand was a pretty good album nothing amazing but I enjoy it.
 

setsunafseiei

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Hmm Metallica, the fact that they have lasted this long and are still going strong reflects upon their talent.
 

Arrers

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Cpt_Oblivious said:
Metallica.

And as a warning to anyone saying GnR Slash is English ;)
Did they form in America though? also if the majority of the members are Americans, I'll accept it.