L.A Rock - Surf, Punk And Easy Listening - The Essential Bands

Music Related | 12th June, 2025 theBeat.ie

With a long history of rock, Los Angeles has played a major part in shaping both the music and the cultural landscape. Thanks to legendary venues such as Whisky a Go Go and The Troubadour, the City of Angels has served as a crucible for rock'n'rolls evolution.

From 1960's surf music to 1980 heavy rock, Los Angeles has produced some of the greatest bands in rock history.

Formed in Los Angeles by Zack De La Rocha, Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, Rage Against The Machine, were a band known for their critical attacking left-wing lyrics over their metallic rhythmic music. Described as rap metal or rap rock, they combined funk, punk, metal, and hip-hop on tracks such as, Killing in the Name, Bulls On Parade, Guerrilla Radio. With 16 million records worldwide the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.

Influenced by funk, rap, jazz and punk-rock, Red Hot Chili Peppers, formed in Los Angeles in 1982. Originally consisting of Anthony Kiedis, guitarist Hillel Slovak, bassist Flea, and drummer Jack Irons, the band would see a number line-up changes over the years such as John Frusciante and Chad Smith. Known for blending elements of punk rock, funk, while incorporating hip hop and psychedelic rock, the RHCP are considered pioneers in the funk-rock genre.

Formed in 1985, Jane's Addiction, consisted of Perry Farrell, bassist Eric Avery, drummer Stephen Perkins and guitarist Dave Navarro. Formed in LA the band would lead the way in early 1990s alternative rock. Combining punk-rock and funk, the band would split in 1991 just as they were approaching fame. They would reform in 1997 and 2002 releasing new music and touring.

While not achieving worldwide success, punk-rockers Germs were active on the LA scene from 1976 to 1980. An essential part of the Los Angeles punk movement the band released one album in 1979, GI, produced by Joan Jett. Influential to many later rock acts, the band disbanded in 1981 following the death of singer Darby Crash. Guitarist Pat Smear would go on to achieve fame through his involvement with Nirvana and Foo Fighters.

Combining heavy rock, punk aesthetic and lyrics about the darker side of LA, Guns'n'Roses, led the way in the cities heavy rock scene. Originally consisting of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler, the band topped multiple charts and toured the globe. A combination of heavy drinking and drug use would lead the band to implode, however their influence in heavy rock remains to this day.

With a shared love for British new-wave heavy metal, Metallica, were formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield. The bands early line-up also consisted of Dave Mustaine and Ron McGovney but due to personal issues the pair were outed and replaced by Cliff Burton and Kirk Hammett. Their early material would be a combination of thrash and speed metal before evolving into a more traditional heavy metal style. Following the death of Cliff Burton in 1986, Jason Newsted would take on the role of bass before being replaced by the band's longest-serving bassist Robert Trujillo, who joined in 2003. With more than 125 million records worldwide Metallica are credited as one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time.

Defining the heavy metal scene for a decade, Van Halen, formed in 1974. Reviving hard rock to the forefront of the music scene the band would be celebrated for their energetic live performances, particularly the virtuosity of their guitarist, Eddie Van Halen. The hit single, Jump, released in 1984, would push the band into superstar status. Their unique sound within rock would have a major influence on the popular hair bands that would follow in the late 1980s. Since their formation Van Halen have more than 80 million worldwide record sales, making them one of the best-selling American groups.

Comprising of Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore, The Doors, formed in Los Angeles in 1965. An influential and controversial rock act of the 1960s, the band would be an important figure of the era's counterculture. Originating as a conventional electric blues band, they expanded into psychedelic rock, sometimes with dark lyrical tones.

After a string of hits which include such classics as Light My Fire, Hello I Love You and Riders On The Storm, Morrison took a leave of absence from the Doors and moved to Paris with Pamela Courson. Following months of residency, Morrison would be found dead in his bath at the age of 27.

With more than 200 million records worldwide, LA rockers, the Eagles, are the best selling American band of all time. While on the tour as backing musicians for Linda Ronstadt, Glen Frey and Henley decided to form the band which would eventually go on to score five number-one singles and six number-one albums, making them the most successful musical acts of the 1970s.

The group would define the sound of the Californian rock scene. Originating with a country-rock sound, the band would gradually move away from their country influences, especially with the introduction of Joe Walsh, who was brought in for the specific reason of creating a heavier rock sound. The result would be the 1976 classic, Hotel California.

By the start of the 1980's infighting, along with heavy drug use caused the band to split until their reunion in the 1990's

Inspired by 1950's vocal groups, Brian Wilson, formed The Beach Boys in 1961 as an outlet for creating sophisticated pop music, mainly built around five-part harmonies. Gaining attention at first with their Californian-sun surf genre, Wilsons style would evolve resulting in multi-textured intricately arranged music.

Throughout the 1960's the band would release a number of classics such as, Surfin USA, Fun, Fun, Fun, I Get Around, and Help Me, Rhonda, however the strain of writing new material, along with heavy drug use, would create long lasting mental problems for Wilson. Retreating to his home Wilson took on the role as chief songwriter and producer while various musicians were enlisted for live performances.

Released in 1966, Brian Wilsons masterpiece, Pet Sounds, is widely regarded as among the greatest and most influential albums in music history. Although its a Beach Boys album Wilson always viewed Pet Sounds as a solo album. Featuring complex and challenging instrumental and vocal parts the album blended pop, jazz, exotica, classical, and avant-garde elements, combining rock instrumentation with layered vocal harmonies, and instruments not normally associated with rock.

Selling over 100 million records worldwide, the group has earned the title as one of the most critically acclaimed and influential bands of all time. With classic songs such as, Good Vibrations, I Get Around and God Only Knows, Brian Wilson would reshape how pop-music was written and recorded. His expertise in the studio as a producer, creating complex melodies and harmonies, has resulted in many referring to him as a genius.