garagerock

Garage rock is a raw, energetic genre of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s. It is characterized by its simple, often primitive, song structures, amateurish playing, and a DIY ethos. The sound is typically loud and distorted, with fuzzy guitars, driving rhythms, and often nasal or shouted vocals. The lyrics are frequently about teenage concerns such as cars, girls, and rebellion.

The genre's name comes from the fact that many early garage rock bands practiced and recorded in their parents' garages, reflecting their low-budget, unpolished approach. Influences include early rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and surf rock. Key bands from the era include The Sonics, The Kingsmen, ? and the Mysterians, and The Seeds. While garage rock enjoyed a period of popularity in the 1960s, its influence extended far beyond its commercial peak.

Garage rock experienced a revival in the late 1970s and early 1980s with the rise of punk rock, which shared its raw energy and anti-establishment attitude. Bands like The Cramps and The Misfits incorporated elements of garage rock into their sound. Further revivals occurred in the 1990s and 2000s, with bands like The White Stripes and The Strokes drawing inspiration from the genre's core elements. Garage rock continues to be a significant influence on various subgenres of rock music today, celebrated for its unpretentious authenticity and infectious energy.