Rock Bands 2000s: Defining a Decade of Sound

The dawn of the 21st century marked a fascinating era for rock music. The greatest rock bands of the 2000s weren’t just chart-toppers with millions of fans and stadium gigs; they represented a pivotal moment. Commercially, this decade stood as the last hurrah of rock’s dominance in the mainstream before pop and hip-hop further solidified their reign. This intense spotlight, however, proved to be a catalyst. The pressure cooker environment pushed many rock groups to create exceptional singles and albums that would define the sound of a generation.

This list, celebrating the Top 100 Greatest Rock Bands of the 2000s, aims to capture the diverse tapestry of rock genres that thrived during this period. From the resurgence of alt-rock and pop-punk to the heavier strains of industrial and post-grunge, and even the intricate soundscapes of progressive rock, all corners of the rock spectrum deserve recognition. Consider this a tribute to the bands that not only made the top 100 but also the 50 incredible groups that earned an honorable mention, proving the sheer depth and breadth of rock music in the 2000s.

Top 100 Rock Bands of the 2000s

1. The White Stripes

The White Stripes were more than just another blues-rock duo; they were innovators. Jack and Meg White reimagined indie rock with a minimalist yet impactful approach. From their stripped-down songs to their raw sound, their iconic red, white, and black aesthetic, and their carefully constructed mythology, The White Stripes reinvented rock music for a new century. Once the initial frenzy subsided, what remained was a legacy of monumental rock albums. Elephant and White Blood Cells stand as some of the most outstanding records of the early 2000s, proving that the hype surrounding The White Stripes was entirely justified.

2. The Strokes

The Strokes emerged as the indie-rock band that defined the early 2000s in terms of influence and widespread acclaim. Drawing inspiration from New York music legends like The Velvet Underground and Television, and complementing their sound with an effortless fashion-forward image, the quintet achieved seemingly instant success. Their debut album, Is This It, ignited a garage rock revival, inspiring countless bands and reigniting mainstream interest in guitar-driven music. While the garage rock wave eventually receded, The Strokes continued to evolve, experimenting with new wave sounds, leaving an undeniable mark. Every time you hear those sharp power chords played with a cool, detached energy, you can trace a line back to Julian Casablancas and The Strokes.

3. Radiohead

Radiohead had already established themselves as one of the most groundbreaking and imaginative alternative bands of the 1990s. However, they weren’t content to rest on their laurels. By the early 2000s, this UK band was ready to shed the conventions of distorted guitars and traditional song structures, venturing into more experimental sonic territories. In doing so, Radiohead paved the way for other bands with similarly adventurous creative spirits. With their 2000 album Kid A, Radiohead defied expectations, taking a sonic leap that some initially deemed “career suicide,” but ultimately proved to be a stroke of genius. By the time In Rainbows was released, they were even challenging the established music industry model. Throughout the 2000s and beyond, Radiohead remained a beacon for forward-thinking rock music.

4. Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters initially presented themselves as a band that didn’t take themselves too seriously. After all, frontman Dave Grohl was stepping out from behind the drums of Nirvana, arguably the biggest rock band of the 1990s. However, by the 2000s, Foo Fighters had ascended to arena rock giants. They evolved into a consistently reliable, serious-minded band, reminiscent of the classic rock acts of previous generations. Through various challenges and lineup changes, Grohl and Foo Fighters solidified their position as a mainstay of rock, consistently delivering strong albums and unforgettable live shows throughout the decade.

5. Weezer

Weezer is often associated with the 1990s alt-rock explosion. But it was in the 2000s that Rivers Cuomo and the band truly embraced their role in the rock landscape. Just as The White Stripes revitalized garage rock and Interpol spearheaded the post-punk revival, Weezer took on the mantle of cheerful, infectious power-pop. Weezer released a string of excellent albums in the 2000s, including Weezer (The Green Album), Maladroit, and Weezer (The Red Album). While these albums may not have reached the sales heights of their earlier work, in retrospect, Rivers Cuomo’s contributions as one of the most significant rock songwriters of the 2000s are undeniable.

6. Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys arrived with such immense hype surrounding their debut album that fans could be forgiven for having preconceived notions even before hearing their music. However, a closer listen revealed the brilliant wit and observational lyrics of Alex Turner and a band that injected 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 further cemented their reputation across the UK throughout the 2000s. As the 2010s approached, Arctic Monkeys were poised for international success with a refined sound and global recognition.

7. System of a Down

Many were unsure how to categorize System of a Down upon their initial emergence. The band delivered a high-octane fusion of alt-metal, classic rock influences, and traditional Armenian folk elements. They were ambitious yet possessed a distinctive sense of humor. Their music could be aggressive, yet they were outspokenly anti-war. By the time the world caught up with their unique sonic and lyrical approach, System of a Down had become one of the biggest rock bands globally, achieving mainstream success without compromising their inherent eccentricity.

8. TOOL

TOOL stands as the most influential progressive rock band of the 2000s. Their music was often analyzed with a seriousness typically reserved for philosophical treatises or major historical events. However, it remains ambiguous whether singer Maynard James Keenan and the rest of TOOL took things quite so solemnly. Like System of a Down, humor was an element in their complex equation. What was undeniable was TOOL’s mastery of crafting tense, dynamic alt-metal soundscapes, virtually unmatched by their contemporaries. Albums like Lateralus and 10,000 Days elevated them to a pedestal of critical and fan adoration.

9. blink-182

blink-182, in many respects, dominated rock music in the early 2000s. This wasn’t solely due to their incredibly catchy and fun pop-punk sound, nor was it just the charismatic and relatable personalities of Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker. blink-182 demonstrated a keen ability to evolve. By Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, their signature sunny pop-punk had incorporated elements of emo rock. Their self-titled 2003 album further transitioned into more introspective, melancholy-driven rock. Their subsequent hiatus for the remainder of the decade only solidified 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. However, they faced a period where they seemed to play second fiddle to bands like blink-182 and Sum 41 in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But by the 2000s, Green Day was poised for one of the most remarkable comebacks in rock history. American Idiot emerged as a punk-rock opera that became a global phenomenon. Their subsequent albums and tours propelled Green Day to even greater heights than their initial success, solidifying their legacy as one of the defining rock bands of the 2000s and beyond.

11. Deftones

Deftones were often categorized within the nu-metal scene, but in many ways, they were an outlier. No other band of that era demonstrated a better understanding of musical dynamics than Chino Moreno’s group. Where many of their peers were predictable, Deftones were subtle and consistently surprising. White Pony is widely recognized as one of the most influential rock albums of the 2000s, showcasing their unique blend of heavy riffs and atmospheric textures.

12. Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers seemed to have lost momentum in the mid-1990s after their breakthrough album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. However, the unexpected return of guitarist John Frusciante turned 1999’s Californication into a massive success. This resurgence equipped RHCP to dominate the global music scene once again in the 2000s, selling out stadiums worldwide. Songs from albums like By The Way became ubiquitous, and the California band confidently embraced their renewed success.

13. Audioslave

Audioslave was initially labeled as just another “supergroup,” a term that often carried negative connotations. However, Chris Cornell and the instrumental section of Rage Against the Machine quickly dispelled this notion. Audioslave’s self-titled debut album stands as one of the strongest of the decade, featuring Cornell’s celebrated vocals at their peak. While the band released two more albums before disbanding, Audioslave’s impact and greatness are often most keenly felt in their absence, leaving behind a relatively short but impactful discography.

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 carved out their own identity, writing about their experiences and observations of British life. Their compelling songs and the ever-present chaotic energy surrounding the band made them one of the most captivating indie-rock groups of the era. The brevity of their initial run further contributed to their almost mythic status, echoing the trajectories of classic British rock bands.

15. Korn

Korn fundamentally reshaped heavy rock in their own distinct image. The challenge was that many other bands subsequently adopted that image. While Korn faced numerous rivals in the early 2000s, such as Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park, many fans still favored the original sound. Freed from the pressure of constant innovation, Korn produced albums like See You on The Other Side, solidifying their enduring presence and influence within the rock music landscape.

16. Queens of the Stone Age

Queens of the Stone Age brought the sounds of desert rock and stoner rock 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. However, with a rotating cast of top-tier musicians, 2002’s Songs for the Deaf became the commercial breakthrough that Homme had long deserved. Subsequent albums may not have drastically altered their formula, but they cemented the rock band’s reputation as consistent innovators within their genre.

17. Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam stood as the last surviving Seattle grunge band from the “Big Four.” The tragic ends of Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden cast a shadow over the grunge era. This context informed Pearl Jam’s approach during the 2000s, where they prioritized artistic integrity and often avoided excessive mainstream exposure. The group became one of the biggest touring acts in the US, and albums like Riot Act demonstrated that Pearl Jam remained creatively vital and still operating at full capacity.

18. Linkin Park

Linkin Park achieved rapid commercial success but earned critical respect more gradually. To some rock purists, they were initially perceived as just another nu-metal band capitalizing on the early 2000s trend. The band’s popularity and album sales were immense. However, as they moved beyond the sound of Hybrid Theory and incorporated more experimental and diverse musical elements, critics began to acknowledge Linkin Park’s artistry, particularly Chester Bennington’s exceptional vocal abilities and the band’s evolving sound.

19. The Mars Volta

The Mars Volta positioned themselves as the most adventurous and boundary-pushing rock band of the 2000s, a claim with considerable merit. Led by former At the Drive-In members Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez Lopez, The Mars Volta created sprawling concept albums filled with intricate, cryptic lyrics and music that drew from Latin rhythms and avant-garde approaches. Looking back at their output during the 2000s, few bands can be meaningfully compared to The Mars Volta’s unique and ambitious sonic vision.

20. Animal Collective

Animal Collective was a rock band that could only have emerged in the experimental climate of the 2000s. Taking cues from Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, they pushed sunny, melody-driven music into increasingly unconventional and psychedelic territories. Animal Collective crafted a new form of psychedelic rock that was at times playful and childlike, and at other times unsettling and dark. They 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 to dive deeper into the sounds 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