Experimental Rock

Sonic Youth image from "Daydream Nation" album.

This ranges from 1960s to present. Experimental rock was derived from free jazz artists like Sun Ra and avant-garde composers such as John Cage. Popular bands that turned to this genre in later times were The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

During the 60s notable bands were The Velvet Underground, The Godz, The Fugs, Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band and The Mothers of Invention.

In the 70s when punk came around, their were many experimental sub-genres like No Wave, which include artists like James Chance and The Contortions, Glenn Branca, Lydia Lunch, and Suicide to name some.

For the 1980s experimental bands including Sonic Youth, Swans, Butthole Surfers and Dinosaur Jr. During this time hardcore punk and rap was emerging and was influencing experimental music as well.

In the 90s there were experimental lo-fi bands such as Half Japanese, Sebodah, and Guided by Voices.

Nowadays, well known experimental bands that came out after 2000 are The Are Powers, HEALTH, Deerhunter, Ponytail, and PRE.

The Velvet Underground playing "Venus In Furs" during the late 1960s.

James Chance and The Contortions performing "I Can't Stand Myself" live in the 70s.