Which Modern Bands Influenced by Pink Floyd?

As pioneers of progressive and psychedelic rock with chart-dominating concept albums exploring the human condition, it comes as no surprise that Pink Floyd casts an enduring influence across every generation of bands. Their sonic innovation, atmospheric soundscapes, and introspective lyrics created the blueprint for psychedelic and art rock. Even now in contemporary music, traces of their legacy can be found shaping experimental bands well beyond rock. But who in particular is proudly carrying the torch these legends lit? We spotlight 5 brilliant modern acts across pop, indie rock, metal and more that owe a debt of creative gratitude to the masters themselves – Pink Floyd. Read on as we analyze the specific aspects channeled from seminal works like The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, and Wish You Were Here that live on in new forms today. The bands may be contemporary, but the inspiration remains timelessly Floyd.

5 bands influenced by Pink Floyd

1. Tame Impala

Led by multi-talented musician Kevin Parker, Australian band Tame Impala has carved out a distinct musical identity since its inception in 2007. Their psychedelic pop music is similar to Pink Floyd’s early work but with their own contemporary pop and electronic influences. The band has released four studio albums, all of which have received critical acclaim and commercial success. Singles such as “The Less I Know the Better”, “Borderline”, and “Lost in Yesterday” showcase their innovative songwriting, with the latter song receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song.

2. Porcupine Tree

An English band like Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree seamlessly flows between psychedelic rock and progressive metal across its ten full-length studio albums, making them an excellent choice for fans of Pink Floyd. Porcupine Tree was formed in 1987 by Steven Wilson as a solo project initially intended to be an elaborate joke about the history of a fictional band. It eventually evolved into an open group with members Richard Barbieri (keyboards), Colin Edwin (bass), and Gavin Harrison (drums) joining later on. The band gained critical acclaim for their blend of experimental music styles, drawing inspiration from various genres like progressive rock, ambient music, alternative rock, and even heavy metal.

3. Yes

Next up is another English rock band called Yes. Formed just three years after Pink Floyd, they originally released pop-rock-oriented albums. Later, their sound changed to showcase a more progressive rock edge, much like Pink Floyd’s. Yes gained widespread acclaim with albums like Fragile, Close to the Edge, and 90125 —all three reaching the top five of the Billboard 200 chart. Their notable hits include “Roundabout” and “Owner of a Lonely Heart”. Over the years, Yes have undergone several lineup changes but continued to release albums and tour extensively. To this day, they remain a revered and influential force in progressive rock.

4. King Crimson

Originating from London in 1968, King Crimson is a pioneering progressive rock band that shares similarities with Pink Floyd in their experimental soundscapes and intricate compositions. The band has gone through multiple phases and lineups over the years, but always maintained a high level of musical quality and innovation. Their debut album In the Court of the Crimson King is considered one of the landmarks of progressive rock, featuring songs like “21st Century Schizoid Man” and “Epitaph”. Their later albums explored various styles such as jazz fusion, new wave, industrial rock, and metal.

5. Radiohead

One of the most acclaimed and influential bands of the modern era, Radiohead is known for their constant reinvention and experimentation with different musical genres and techniques. Their sound has evolved from alternative rock to electronic music to art rock over the course of their nine studio albums. They have been influenced by Pink Floyd in their use of concept albums, atmospheric sounds, and political themes. Some of their best-known songs include “Creep”, “Paranoid Android”, “Karma Police”, “Idioteque”, and “Everything in Its Right Place”.

Conclusion

These are just some of the many bands that have been influenced by Pink Floyd and their amazing music. Even you are looking for something similar or something different, you are sure to find something that suits your taste among these bands. So go ahead and give them a listen, you might discover your new favorite band!

If you have any suggestions for other bands like Pink Floyd that we missed, please let us know!