20 Bands Like Muse (similar music you’re guaranteed to love!)

Muse were formed in Teignmouth, Devon, UK in 1994 by 3 college students; Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard. Originally called “Rocket Baby Dolls”, the lads entered a battle of the bands competition and won. This came as a bit of a shock as they smashed their instruments at the end of their performance as a protest.

After their win in the contest, they started taking music seriously, changed their name to Muse and started to build up a fan base. They supported Skunk Anansie on tour in London and Manchester, and subsequently released their first EP in 1998.

If you’re a fan of Muse and you have all 9 of their studio albums and are looking to broaden your musical catalogue, keep reading. Because we have searched our archives for the best 20 bands like Muse for your enjoyment.

1. Radiohead

Since the release of their first album “Pablo Honey ” in 1993, Radiohead have become one of the most influential bands in the world. They have released 9 studio albums over the best part of 30 years and we’re sure you’ll find something in their back catalogue to appease your Muse cravings.

2. Smashing Pumpkins

Formed in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois, Smashing Pumpkins have been described as gothic rock, dream pop, heavy metal, psychedelic rock, shoegazing, prog rock and electronica. That gives you a lot of scope and will definitely allow you to find something to suit your musical tastes.

3. Placebo

Formed in London, England, UK in 1994 by Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal, Placebo are an alternative rock band. Over the years Placebo has collaborated with many artists including David Bowie, Michael Stipe and Alison Mosshart. The band has released 8 studio albums which have all charted inside the top 20 in the UK.

4. 30 Seconds to Mars

Formed in 1998 in Los Angeles, California, USA, 30 Seconds To Mars are an alternative rock band. They have released 5 studio albums and have sold in excess of 15 million albums worldwide. Their 2nd album “A Beautiful Lie” received multiple certifications throughout the world and saw the band gain international status.

5. Kasabian

This British rock band formed in Leicester, UK in 1997 has released 6 studio albums. They are known for their live performances which are particularly entertaining and in particular the 2014 Glastonbury Festival.

6. The Killers

Formed in 2001 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, by Brendon Flowers and Dave Keuning,The Killers are an alternative rock band. They have released 7 studio albums which have all reached the top of the UK album charts. They have album sales in excess of 28 million worldwide which makes them one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century.

7. Red Hot Chili Peppers

Formed in Los Angeles, California, USA in 1983, the band currently consists of Anthony Kiedis (lead vocals), Flea (bass), Chad Smith (drums) and John Frusciante (guitar). They are one of the most successful bands of all times with more than 100 million albums sold worldwide.

8. Biffy Clyro

Formed in Kilmarnock, Scotland, UK in 1995 by Simon Neil (guitar, lead vocals), James Johnston (bass, vocals), and Ben Johnston (drums, vocals), Biffy Clyro have released 9 studio albums so far. 5 of those albums reached the top 5 in the UK album charts and their 6th studio album, “opposites” reached number one.

9. Coldplay

Coldplay’s debut album, “Parachutes” reached number one on the UK album charts and won a Grammy Award for best alternative Music Album 2002. They have released a total of 9 studio albums so far and were formed in London UK, in 1996.

10. Elbow

The 2012 London Olympic games BBC theme song was “First Steps” which was composed and recorded by Elbow. The track was only available as a digital download from selected retailers who waived their profits. With a percentage of each sale going to BBC Children In Need and Sport Relief.

11. Suede

Suede, or “London Suede” as they’re known in the US were dubbed “The Best New Band In Britain” in 1992 by Melody Maker. Formed in London in 1989 they have released 9 studio albums and their debut self-titled album won the Mercury Music Prize award as well as reaching number one on the UK album charts.

12. Nirvana

Formed in 1987 by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, Nirvana had a number of drummers before Dave Grohl joined in 1990. The band’s success made the alternative rock, grunge sound popular with mainstream music audiences throughout the world. They only recorded 3 studio albums and have sold more than 75 million copies worldwide.

13. Foo Fighters

Dave Grohl created an album of his own work and recorded it all himself with the intention of remaining anonymous he called the album “Foo Fighters”. After the success of the album he had to create a band to support the album. Thus Foo Fighters were born. They have released 10 studio albums and have won a total of 10 Grammy Awards including Best Rock Album 5 times.

14. Weezer

Weezer has released 15 studio albums so far and 2 of those, “Pinkerton” and “The Blue Album” are often named as the best albums of the 90s. They were formed in 1992 in Los Angeles, California and the current lineup are Patrick Wilson (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Scott Shriner (bass, backing vocals, keyboards), Brian Bell (rhythm guitar, backing vocals, keyboards) and Rivers Cuomo ( lead vocals, guitar, piano).

15. The White Stripes

The White Stripes were a rock duo from Detroit, Michigan, USA formed in 1997. The group consisted of Jack White (vocals, guitar, mandolin and keyboard) and Meg White (drums and vocals). They released 6 studio albums and “Seven Nation Army” is their most recognisable song.

16. Arctic Monkeys

Formed in Sheffield, England, UK in 2002, Arctic Monkeys were one of the first bands to gain public attention via the internet. Their debut album “ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” (2006) became the fastest selling debut album in the history of the UK charts.

17. Audioslave

Audioslave were the first American band to perform an open air concert in Cuba and released 3 studio albums during their 6 years as a band. They have sold more than 8 million records worldwide and received 3 Grammy nominations.

18. Alice in Chains

With more than 20 million albums sold worldwide, AIC were one of the most successful alternative bands of the 1990s. They have been classified as grunge, sludge metal, heavy metal and hard rock.

19. Queens of the Stone Age

Queens of the Stone Age have released 7 studio albums and been nominated for 7 Grammy Awards since they were formed in 1996. They have had a number of personnel changes over the years and at one point Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) was their drummer.

20. Franz Ferdinand

Formed in Glasgow, Scotland, UK in 2001, Franz Ferdinand took their name originally from a racehorse called Archduke Ferdinand. That horse’s name got the band talking about the Archduke’s assasination and the subsequent consequences, WWI.