20 Modern Rock Bands You Need To Know About 2022

20 Modern Rock Bands You Need To Know About 2022

20 Modern Rock Bands You Need To Know About 2022

By Martine Ehrenclou

As we head into Fall, what better time to jumpstart the thrill of music discovery. There are many top-tier modern rock bands and we think you need to know about twenty of them, for this article anyway. Even with Spotify playlists, it’s not always easy to keep track of all the new music that’s coming your way. Here’s a place to check out some of these bands and sample their music.

You might feel that outstanding music is confined to the 60s or 70s greats. I can’t count the number of people who have confessed to having no idea that there was so much truly great new rock music. If you’re ready for a music feast, check it out below. I know you’ll be delighted by the choices.

These are modern rock outfits who have fairly recently released or are soon to release new music. Not blues/rock per say, but downright earth shaking rock & roll with highly talented musicians and songwriters. I’ve compiled a list with information, videos and the bands’ websites so you can dig a little deeper into those you’re interested in.

There’s nothing like rock music cranked loud. So, get ready. You’re about to embark on some great music from the U.S., UK, Canada, France, Scandinavia and other parts of the world. Some draw influences from some of the greats, and others have a new contemporary rock & roll sound all their own. Each of these modern rock bands are hand-picked because I think they’re really good. For the most part, you won’t find head-banging rock, heavy metal or arena rock here.

This is real music by real musicians. A few of these bands are fairly well known and others are on the crest of the upward swell. Either way, each demands to be heard at peak volume to savor the quality of the songs and musicianship.

The bands listed here are in no particular order. Spotify Playlist Below.

I welcome your comments and suggestions below. I’ve incorporated a number of your band suggestions into this article. So, thank you.

Greta Van Fleet
They might have been described as Led Zeppelin knock-offs early on, but not after their latest album, The Battle At Garden’s Gate, an expansive, elegant and aggressive album that reminds us that music is still made for the people. The Grammy Award-winning band created complex, intelligent new music with this album. True to the classic rock spirit, this band is continually evolving.

Updated April 2023: Greta Van Fleet is poised to come back to the world stage with a tour that will run from July through September of 2023. Some of the places fans will be able to hear some of the music described in this article include Madison Square Garden and the Sea.Hear.Now Festival. This will be the perfect opportunity to see one of your favorite modern rock bands.
Info and Video Here

The Cold Stares
Originally from Western Kentucky, the band is composed of guitarist Chris Tapp, drummer Brian Mullins and bassist Bryce Klueh. They are authentic, hard rock, blues/rock, and rock & roll with powerful vocals and outstanding songs. They have hints of SRV, Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, The Black Crowes, Free and Led Zeppelin. They have toured nationwide alongside Rival Sons, Spoon, Joe Bonamassa, Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Their newest album is Heavy Shoes.
Info and Video Here

The Commoners
Canadian rock and roots/rock band The Commoners are a four-piece band from Toronto. They are set to release their new album Find A Better Way on November 4th via Gypsy Soul Records. Offering their own blend of rock and roll, southern blues, and roots music, the Toronto-based four-piece band are known for their high-energy riffs, soulful vocals, and rich harmonies. The result is an authentic Southern-style rock experience. The band is made up of Chris Medhurst (vocals/guitar), Ben Spiller (bass), Ross Hayes Citrullo (lead guitar), and Adam Cannon (drums). The Commoners unite under a shared dream: to write, perform, and share music that is an authentic nod to the greats who paved the way before them.
Info and Video Here

Thundermother
All-female heavy rock band Thundermother released their new album Black and Gold on August 19th. Hailing from Sweden, the band’s 12 new adrenaline-fueled songs take fans on a high-voltage power ride into the catchy rock & roll sound Thundermother is known for. With four studio albums and countless acclaimed live shows under their belt, they continue to dazzle fans. They are joining the Scorpions on tour.
Info and Video Here

The Georgia Thunderbolts
Southern rock band The Georgia Thunderbolts usher in a new generation of classic southern rock steeped in soul and blues. Hailing from Rome, GA at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, The Georgia Thunderbolts’ debut album Can We Get A Witness features their scorching signature style steeped in soulful southern swagger, blistering blues, and raw rock.
Info and Video Here

Naked Gypsy Queens
Staking their claim as the new heavyweights of rock & roll’s modern-day renaissance, the Tennessee quartet Naked Gypsy Queens released their debut EP Georgiana in February 2022 via Mascot Records. Formed while all four members were still in high school, Naked Gypsy Queens built their audience the blue-collar way: by plugging in, turning up, and playing out. Rooted in amplified blues, hard-charging grooves, and dual lead guitars, the band builds upon the larger-than-life sound of their heroes from the 1960s and ’70s. They are quickly becoming one of the Nashville’s premiere rock acts.
Info and Video Here

Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown
Although the band claim that the’ve moved toward roots music with their upcoming album Shake The Roots out September 9th, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown has a history of blues infused modern rock. Their outstanding album Pressure, released in 2020 testifies to that and to their outstanding talents. From Nashville, TN, the band has performed with major artists including Chris Cornell, AC/DC, Aerosmith, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, ZZ Top and Guns N’ Roses. Members include Tyler Bryant (guitar, vocals), Caleb Crosby (drums), and Graham Whiteford (guitar.)
Info and Video Here

The Steepwater Band
Thanks to our followers, we’ve included The Steepwater Band. With the confines of the pandemic, this great band’s record Turn of the Wheel was re-released April 29, 2022, featuring eight newly recorded tracks. Chicago’s premium rock & roll outfit, The Steepwater Band has been one of America’s best kept secrets. Known for their songwriting, this is a stellar band of blues-based rock. Band members include Jeff Massey, Joe Winters, Eric Saylors, and Joe Bishop.
The Steepwater Band website
Video See Here

Dirty Honey
If you haven’t heard of Dirty Honey, it’s time you did. They are one of rock music’s most exciting young bands. Their newest LP was released April 23rd, 2021. Led by vocalist Marc LaBelle, guitarist John Notto, bassist Justin Smolian, and drummer Corey Coverstone, their new self-titled album was produced by Nick DiDia (Rage Against The Machine, Pearl Jam). Their sound is blues infused, nasty rock and roll with hints of Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin. The band has been on a massive world tour.
Info and Video Here

Orianthi
Platinum-certified rock guitarist and vocalist Orianthi takes her fiery style and muscled-up backing band to the concert stage on her new release Live From Hollywood out July 15, 2022. Her new album is meant to be a bit of a preview for her upcoming release later this year but it stands on its own as a righteous hard rock show by one of rock’s great guitarists.
Info and Video Here

Blacktop Mojo
Texas rock band Blacktop Mojo has one of the best rock vocalists around, Matt James. They released their self-titled album in 2022. They’ve released a few singles since then, one of which is “Strike Me.” Their sound is built upon epic, stadium-rocking beats, immense guitar riffs, and fired-up, intelligent vocals. Blacktop Mojo is a cultural force and uses this new album to say what a lot of us are feeling. The tight rhythm section is made up of Nathan Gillis (drums), Ryan Kiefer (guitar), Chuck Wepfer (guitar) and Matt Curtis (bass.)
Info and Video Here

Laura Cox
French rock guitarist/ vocalist Laura Cox and her outstanding band, released their newest album, Burning Bright in November 2019. As with a number of bands, the pandemic put a hold on touring and recording. On the edge of the new classic rock movement, Cox is a first class guitar player and singer. Cox first became known by her guitar videos on YouTube in 2008. Fiery guitar playing and pure rock vocals made her an internet sensation. A fierce rocker, Laura Cox is the real deal. We look forward to more releases from her and the band.
Info and Video Here

Stone Horses
With a modern rock groove, Stone Horses is a band from Washington D.C., influenced by Led Zeppelin, Royal Blood, Black Sabbath, Jack White, The Black Keyes, and Jimi Hendrix. A perfect blend of swamp rock, dark melodies, huge choruses and witty lyrics, their first single “Reckless Ways” from their sophomore EP, Good Ol’ Days, made it to the Top 40 charts and landed them tours with Slash, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Rival Sons and more. Guitarist T.M. and singer John Allen draw from early blues pioneers and blend their influences into a modern rock sound.
New Video “When I Get Paid”
Info and Video Here

Black Stone Cherry
Kentucky’s favorite sons, Black Stone Cherry raises the roof with their Southern blues-influenced, beefy modern rock. The band realized their childhood dream of playing at the legendary Royal Albert Hall in London with their recent live album Live From Royal Albert Hall.. Y’All released on June 24th. The band continues to create highly melodic, often insightful songs. With masterful riffs, killer vocals, and a tight rhythm section, their soulfulness is woven throughout their lyrics and music.
Info and Video Here

Redlight King
Canadian American active rock outfit Redlight King rock with swaggering authority. They just released a new single and video from their upcoming fourth album In Our Blood due later this Fall via AFM Records. A tough, modern rock band, their new album was written and produced by frontman Mark “Kaz” Kasprzyk who also co-wrote a few tracks. Redlight King is touring with some of the biggest names in rock and have performed on Late Night With Conan O’Brien.
Info and Video Here

The L.A. Maybe
The L.A. Maybe roars out of the Carolina’s with their debut album, Dirty Damn Tricks and now Dirty Damn Tricks Deluxe Edition released August 26th. This hard rock band proudly displays the influence of rock giants like AC/DC, Van Halen, and Guns N’ Roses. Lead vocalist Alvi Robinson was one of only four singers AC/DC auditioned in 2016 when their frontman Brian Johnson endured career-threatening health issues. Their sound is part of the new wave of classic rock movement that’s gaining traction all over the world.
Info and Video Here

Shaman’s Harvest
A blast of modern rock with big riffs, slamming drums, and high energy, Missouri’s Shaman’s Harvest has recently released their new album Rebelator. Their newest single “Under Your Skin” dropped June 2nd and it rocks. The band rises above the rote contemporary rock formula and proves their mettle with 250 million plus streams from their repertoire but most of all from their aggressive modern rock sound.
Info and Video Here

Rival Sons
Rival Sons is one of the hottest modern rock bands around so I hesitated to include them as they’re well known. Two-time Grammy nominees, Rival Sons latest and sixth album Feral Roots was produced by Dave Cobb. From Long Beach, CA, Rival Sons is made up of guitarist Scott Holiday, vocalist Jay Buchanan, drummer Michael Miley, keyboardist Todd Ogren, and bassist David Beste.
Info and Video Here
Newest Video “Memphis Sun”

Dan Reed Network
Funk/rock wrecking crew Dan Reed Network released their sixth studio effort Let’s Hear It For The King on June 17th on the Drakkar Entertainment label. Reed is a high-octane vocalist and songwriter with a style that’s both rocking and personal and puts it together with a muscular band. The band is built upon heavy, funk-influenced rock and roll and folds in thought-provoking lyrics and inventive melodies. The present band members are Reed on lead vocals, guitar, and synth, Brion James on guitar, vocals, and synth, Melvin Brannon II on bass and vocals, Dan Pred on drums, and Rob Daiker on keyboards, vocals, and guitar.
Info and Video Here

The Black Moods
Arizona hard rockers The Black Moods deliver raw and riff-heavy songs with a heck of a vocalist and tight rhythm section. Their sound is modern rock & roll. The band’s new album Into The Night was released June 3rd and produced by Grammy Award-nominated producer Johnny “K” Karkazis (3 Doors Down, Disturbed.) The Black Moods are one of the most exciting American bands working today. They’re able to command motion and melody without letting go of the power trio grind that’s at the core of the group’s success.
Info and Video Here

When Rivers Meet
British blues rockers/rock & roll band and multi award-winners, When Rivers Meet is made up of Grace Bond (lead vocals, mandolin, violin) and Aaron Bond (guitar, vocals) and accompanied by Roger Inniss (bass) and James Fox (drums, keys, backing vocals). Together, the four talented musicians created an exciting and powerful stage performance. A formidable musical pair, they channel an old-school vibe with a modern sheen. Their newest album, The Flying Free Tour Live was released July 29th.The live album features songs taken from WRMs first two albums, We Fly Free and Saving Grace, plus songs from their two EPs, The Uprising, and Innocence of Youth.
Info and Video Here

Big Wreck
Thanks to our followers who suggested Big Wreck, we are including these hard rockers in our list. Their new EP, Big Wreck: 7.2 released on June 17th as part of a trilogy of EPs. A Canadian-American rock band formed in 1994 at Berklee College of Music, by Ian Thornley, Brian Doherty, Dave Henning and Forrest Williams. They became a fixture in the Boston and Cambridge music scene and were signed to Atlantic. Having gone through member changes, the band is now comprised of Ian Thornley, Dave McMillan, Chris Caddell, Sekou Lumumba. Before their album …but For the Sun was released, Doherty sadly passed away in 2019. They continued as a quartet and released EP Big Wreck 7.1 in 2021.
Big Wreck website
New Video

The Damn Truth
Canadian rock and roll band, The Damn Truth’s music features shades of 70’s rock, soaring vocals, outstanding guitar, and propulsive bass and drums. The band is tight, offering contemporary rock and roll for our current times. The Damn Truth’s third album Now Or Nowhere released May 7, 2021, produced by Grammy Award winning producer, Bob Rock (Metallica, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi.) The band has extensively toured Europe and the U.S. and opened tours for ZZ Top, the Sheepdogs, Styx, and Rival Sons. The band includes Lee-La Baum (vocals, guitar), Tom Shemer (guitars, keys, mandolin), Py Letterlier (bass, vocals), Dave Traina (drums, vocals.)
Info and Video Here

Spotify Playlist ’20 Modern Rock Bands You Need To Know About 2022′

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6jun9HqBJTIhntLLbOH6vb?si=yNXEiiBxQyuZ3TnJLn-43w

I welcome your comments and suggestions below in the comment section.