Rock Groups of the 2000s: Defining a Decade in Modern Rock Music

The dawn of the 21st century marked a fascinating era for rock music. The Rock Groups Of The 2000s navigated a shifting musical landscape, carving out a unique space amidst the rise of digital music and evolving tastes. While some may argue it was the ‘last stand’ of rock in the mainstream commercial sense, this period was undeniably fertile ground for innovation, chart-topping hits, and stadium-filling performances. This intense spotlight pushed many bands to produce exceptional singles and albums that continue to resonate today.

In crafting this list of the top rock groups of the 2000s, we’ve aimed for a diverse representation of the rock spectrum that flourished during this decade. From the resurgence of alt-rock and pop-punk anthems to the heavier sounds of industrial and post-grunge, and even the intricate compositions of progressive rock, all corners of the genre deserve recognition.

This is a celebration of the 100 greatest rock bands that defined the 2000s, along with 50 more incredible groups that warrant an honorable mention for their contributions to the era.

Top 100 Rock Bands of the 2000s

1. The White Stripes

The White Stripes were more than just another blues-rock duo. Jack and Meg White revolutionized indie rock, stripping it down to its rawest elements and building something entirely new. From their minimalist sound and striking visual aesthetic to their enigmatic mythology, The White Stripes reinvented rock music for a new century.

After their impactful run, we are left with a legacy of monumental rock albums. “Elephant” and “White Blood Cells” stand as iconic records of the 2000s, proving that the hype surrounding The White Stripes was indeed justified. They redefined what a rock band could be in the modern era.

2. The Strokes

The Strokes emerged as the most impactful and recognized indie rock band of the early 2000s. Channeling the spirit of New York rock icons like The Velvet Underground and Television, combined with a sharp, contemporary fashion sense, their rise to fame felt almost instantaneous.

Their debut album, “Is This It,” sparked a wave of imitators and reignited mainstream interest in guitar-driven music. While the Garage Rock Revival eventually faded, The Strokes continued to evolve, experimenting with new wave influences. The enduring influence of Julian Casablancas and The Strokes is undeniable; their sound echoes in countless bands with plucky power chords and skinny jeans.

3. Radiohead

Radiohead established themselves as one of the most innovative and gifted alternative bands of the 1990s. However, they refused to rest on their laurels. By the early 2000s, this British group was prepared to discard conventional song structures and distorted guitars in favor of a more experimental sonic path. In doing so, they charted a course for other bands with similarly adventurous aspirations.

With their 2000 album “Kid A,” Radiohead defied expectations and discovered a new direction, a move initially considered “career suicide” by some. By the time of “In Rainbows,” they were even pioneering new models for the music industry itself. Throughout the 2000s and beyond, Radiohead remained a guiding light for progressive and forward-thinking rock music.

4. Foo Fighters

In their early days, Foo Fighters initially projected a less serious image. After all, frontman Dave Grohl had just come from Nirvana, arguably the biggest rock band of the 1990s. What else could he do?

However, by the 2000s, Foo Fighters had ascended to arena rock status. They evolved into a reliable, serious-minded band, reminiscent of classic rock groups of the past. Despite various challenges, Grohl and Foo Fighters solidified their position, consistently delivering powerful albums and cementing their place as rock stalwarts.

5. Weezer

Weezer is often linked to the 1990s alt-rock explosion. But in the 2000s, Rivers Cuomo and the band embraced their role within the rock music ecosystem. While The White Stripes revived garage rock and Interpol spearheaded the post-punk revival, Weezer championed the return of upbeat power-pop.

Weezer released a string of notable albums in the 2000s, including “Weezer (The Green Album),” “Maladroit,” and “Weezer (The Red Album).” Although these albums didn’t reach the commercial heights of their earlier work, in retrospect, Rivers Cuomo stands out as one of the most significant rock songwriters of the 2000s, consistently delivering catchy and clever tunes.

6. Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys arrived with so much pre-release buzz that fans might have felt they already knew the Sheffield band before even hearing their music. However, closer listening revealed the sharp wit of Alex Turner’s lyrics and a band injecting a much-needed intensity back into indie rock.

“Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” remains Arctic Monkeys’ masterpiece. Their subsequent two albums solidified their UK dominance throughout the 2000s. The 2010s then beckoned, bringing a new sound and international fame, but their foundation was firmly built in the preceding decade.

7. System of a Down

Initial reactions to System of a Down were often bewildered. The band presented a high-energy fusion of alt-metal, classic rock, and traditional Armenian folk music. They were ambitious yet possessed a distinct sense of humor. Their sound was aggressive, yet their message was staunchly anti-war. By the time audiences caught up, System of a Down had become one of the world’s biggest rock bands, achieving global success without compromising their unique identity.

8. TOOL

TOOL became the most influential progressive rock band of the 2000s. Their music was analyzed with a seriousness usually reserved for philosophical treatises or major historical events.

However, it’s debatable whether Maynard James Keenan and the rest of TOOL took themselves quite so seriously. Like System of a Down, humor was a component of their complex equation. What was undeniable was TOOL’s mastery of crafting tense, dynamic alt-metal soundscapes, unmatched by almost anyone. Albums like “Lateralus” and “10,000 Days” elevated them to a pedestal of rock royalty.

9. blink-182

blink-182, in many ways, dominated the early 2000s rock scene. This wasn’t solely due to their incredibly catchy and fun sound. Nor was it just because Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker were charismatic and relatable figures.

blink-182 demonstrated a keen ability to evolve. With “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket,” their signature sunny pop-punk began to incorporate elements of emo rock. Their self-titled 2003 album further transitioned into more melancholy and introspective rock. Their subsequent hiatus for the remainder of the decade only amplified blink-182’s legendary status.

10. Green Day

Green Day had initially brought pop-punk to the forefront of mainstream music in the early 1990s. But they then faced the challenge of sharing the spotlight with bands like blink-182 and Sum 41 in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

However, the 2000s saw Green Day stage one of the greatest comebacks in rock history. “American Idiot,” a punk-rock opera, became a global phenomenon. Their subsequent albums and tours propelled the band to even greater heights than their initial run, solidifying their legacy as pop-punk titans.

11. Deftones

Deftones were often categorized within the nu-metal movement. However, they were always somewhat of an outlier. No other band of that era grasped dynamics with the subtlety and skill of Chino Moreno’s group. Where their contemporaries often leaned towards predictability, Deftones were nuanced and surprising. “White Pony” stands as one of the most influential rock albums of the 2000s, showcasing their unique and atmospheric sound.

12. Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers seemed to have lost momentum in the mid-90s after their breakthrough album, “Blood Sugar Sex Magik.” However, the unexpected return of guitarist John Frusciante revitalized the band, and 1999’s “Californication” became a massive success. This resurgence equipped RHCP to once again dominate the global music scene throughout the 2000s, filling stadiums worldwide. Songs from albums like “By The Way” became ubiquitous, and the Californian band embraced their renewed success.

13. Audioslave

Audioslave was initially labeled a “supergroup,” a term often carrying negative connotations. Chris Cornell and the instrumentalists from Rage Against the Machine quickly dispelled any doubts. Audioslave’s self-titled debut is a highlight of the decade, featuring Cornell’s exceptional vocals at their peak. The band released two more albums before disbanding, but like many rock groups on this list, Audioslave’s impact is keenly felt in their absence.

14. The Libertines

The Libertines initially emerged as Britain’s answer to The Strokes, a comparison that singers-guitarists Peter Doherty and Carl Barat openly acknowledged. However, the band soon began crafting songs reflecting their own experiences and observations of British life. Their compelling songwriting and the ever-present chaotic energy surrounding them made The Libertines one of the most captivating indie rock groups of the time. Their relatively short initial run also felt reminiscent of classic British rock band trajectories.

15. Korn

Korn fundamentally reshaped heavy rock in their own image. The challenge was that numerous other bands then imitated that image. While Korn faced many rivals in the early 2000s, including Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park, many fans still preferred the original sound. Freed from the pressure of constant innovation, Korn produced albums like “See You on The Other Side,” cementing their enduring role in the rock music landscape.

16. Queens of the Stone Age

Queens of the Stone Age brought desert rock and stoner rock sounds into mainstream consciousness during the 2000s. This was largely due to the experience guitarist-singer Josh Homme gained from his time in bands like Kyuss. Their initial albums established QOTSA as critical favorites. But with a stellar lineup of musicians, 2002’s “Songs for the Deaf” delivered the commercial breakthrough Homme had earned. Subsequent albums built upon this formula, solidifying the rock band’s reputation for powerful and distinctive sound.

17. Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam stood as the last of Seattle’s “Big Four” grunge bands to remain active and prominent. The breakups of Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden carried a sense of tragedy. This context shaped Pearl Jam’s approach in the 2000s; they operated on their own terms, often avoiding excessive media attention. The group became a massive touring force in the US, and albums such as “Riot Act” demonstrated that Pearl Jam still had plenty of creative fuel.

18. Linkin Park

Linkin Park achieved rapid success but earned critical respect more gradually. To some rock purists, they were simply the latest nu-metal band to achieve mainstream popularity in the early 2000s. The band’s commercial success was enormous. However, as they moved beyond the “Hybrid Theory” phenomenon and incorporated more experimental and diverse musical elements, critics began to acknowledge Linkin Park, and particularly Chester Bennington’s impressive vocal range and ability.

19. The Mars Volta

The Mars Volta presented themselves as the most adventurous and boundary-pushing rock band of the 2000s. In many respects, they were correct. Led by former At the Drive-In members Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodríguez-López, The Mars Volta created sprawling concept albums filled with intricate lyrics and music that drew from Latin rhythms and avant-garde techniques. Looking back at their output during the 2000s, few bands can truly be compared to The Mars Volta’s unique and ambitious vision.

20. Animal Collective

Animal Collective was a rock band that seemed uniquely born from the 2000s. Taking inspiration from Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and pushing sun-drenched melodies into even more experimental and unconventional territories, Animal Collective forged a new form of psychedelic rock. At times playful and innocent, at times unsettling and dark, the band reached a creative peak with 2009’s “Merriweather Post Pavilion.” Do they deserve a place among the greatest rock bands of the 2000s? Absolutely.

21. LCD Soundsystem

22. Modest Mouse

23. Interpol

24. Wilco

25. The Dandy Warhols

26. Slipknot

27. Avenged Sevenfold

28. The Killers

29. Kings of Leon

30. The Hives

31. Franz Ferdinand

32. Arcade Fire

33. Muse

34. Incubus

35. The Flaming Lips

36. Vampire Weekend

37. PJ Harvey

38. Fall Out Boy

39. Underoath

40. Yeah Yeah Yeahs

41. The Offspring

42. The Vines

43. Porcupine Tree

44. Kaiser Chiefs

45. Sigur Ros

46. The Black Keys

47. Spoon

48. Simple Plan

49. AFI

50. Phoenix

51. TV on the Radio

52. Sum 41

53. Bright Eyes

54. Jimmy Eat World

55. Dinosaur Jr.

56. Bullet For My Valentine

57. Killswitch Engage

58. Rammstein

59. Paramore

60. Good Charlotte

61. Mastodon

62. Limp Bizkit

63. Panic! at the Disco

64. Velvet Revolver

65. Marilyn Manson

66. Meshuggah

67. Rilo Kiley

68. The Bravery

69. Kasabian

70. Barenaked Ladies

71. Dream Theater

72. A Perfect Circle

73. The Dillinger Escape Plan

74. Coheed and Cambria

75. Placebo

76. Evanescence

77. Opeth

78. Staind

79. Creed

80. Death Cab For Cutie

81. My Chemical Romance

82. Shinedown

83. Seether

84. Our Lady Peace

85. Oasis

86. Trivium

87. 3 Doors Down

88. Godsmack

89. Papa Roach

90. Puddle of Mudd

91. The Fratellis

92. Rise Against

93. Three Days Grace

94. The National

95. Billy Talent

96. Nickelback

97. The Brian Jonestown Massacre

98. The Gaslight Anthem

99. P.O.D

100. The Darkness

Explore Alt77’s curated playlist featuring the Greatest Rock Bands of the 2000s for a deeper dive into the music of this era.

To further immerse yourself in the world of rock music, check out our related articles on The Greatest Albums of the 1990s, The Greatest indie-rock artists and bands of all time, and The Greatest Alternative Rock Songs of the 1990s.

Honorable Mentions

101. Snow Patrol

102. King Tuff

103. Drowning Pool

104. The Von Bondies

105. Aerosmith

106. 30 Seconds To Mars

107. New Found Glory

108. Sufjan Stevens

109. Lifehouse

110. U2

111. Skillet

112. Nightwish

113. Alice in Chains

114. The Fray

115. Hatebreed

116. The All-American Rejects

117. The Black Dahlia Murder

118. Breaking Benjamin

119. Stone Sour

120. OK Go

121. Shadows Fall

122. Yellowcard

123. Symphony X

124. Lamb of God

125. Metallica

126. Bloc Party

127. Hoobastank

128. Switchfoot

129. HIM

130. Daughtry

131. Zebrahead

132. Maroon 5

133. Disturbed

134. The Kooks

135. Death from Above 1979

136. MGMT

137. Yo La Tengo

138. The Thermals

139. The Shins

140. The Hold Steady

141. The Postal Service

142. The Walkmen

143. Wolfmother

144. The Decemberists

145. Between the Buried and Me

146. The Rapture

147. Gojira

148. Tegan and Sara

149. Metric

150. Editors