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10 Bands like The Strokes For Fans of Indie/Alternative Music

November 19, 2022
bands like the strokes

The Strokes are widely considered one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Their album Is This It changed the landscape of indie/alternative music. For your consideration, we have created a list of bands like The Strokes; you can check it out below:

The Strokes 

American rock band The Strokes was formed in 1998 in New York City and consists of band members Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr, Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti. In the 2000s, The Strokes were a leading rock band and were hailed as the ‘saviours of rock ‘n’ roll.’ 

The Strokes‘ style, both sonically and visually, formed the blueprint for numerous bands during the last decades; maybe it is to do with the post-punk revival era, but one thing is sure, there were a TON of bands like The Strokes. The bands’ cool indie grunge fashion created a moment of its own; it was a part of the closets of many of their adoring fans. The Strokes is a highly influential band that has inspired artists and fans of music for generations.

List of Bands Like The Strokes

  1. The White Stripes
  2. Arcade Fire
  3. The Velvet Underground
  4. The Arctic Monkeys
  5. Interpol
  6. The Libertines
  7. The Killers
  8. The Pixies 
  9. Tame Impala
  10. Franz Ferdinand

1. The White Stripes

The American rock duo The White Stripes formed in 1997 and consisted of members Jack White and Meg White. The band released 3 albums with the Detroit Music scene and rose to fame as a part of the garage rock revival movement. Their 3rd and 4th album White Blood Cells and Elephant drew the attention of significant media outlets from the UK and the US. 

The White Stripes was the supporting act for The Strokes and they toured together for multiple shows in 2002. The tour includes their Radio City show where Jack came out and performed ‘New York City Cops’ with The Strokes. The White Stripes’ last 3 albums each received a Grammy for Best Alternative Album. Even though the duo discontinued in 2011, their music is available online if you want to listen to bands like The Strokes.

2. Arcade Fire

The Canadian Arcade Fire is an indie rock band comprising Richard Reed Parry, husband and wife- Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara. The band’s lineup also includes Sarah Neufeld, Paul Beaubrun, Dan Boeckner, and Eric Heigle. Formed in 2001, the band came into prominence with their 2004 triumphant record Funeral.

Arcade Fire studied music legends like U2, David Bowie, Radiohead, and The Rolling Stones, which is evident in their music style. From indie rock and art rock to baroque pop music, the band has deep sounds that will remind you of The Strokes. Arcade Fire is one of the best bands like The Strokes; I highly recommend you check them out.

3. The Velvet Underground 

American rock band The Velvet Underground formed in New York City in 1964. Their original line-up consisted of Lou Reed (singer/guitarist), John Cale multi-instrumentalist), Sterling Morrison (guitarist), and Angus MacLise (drummer). MacLise was replaced by Moe Tucker in 1965. The Velvet Underground is the cornerstone of the NY sound and continues to impact the world of music, including The Strokes.

Even though the general music of the 2 bands is not entirely similar, the vocal riffs of ‘I found a reason’ by The Velvets matches with Strokes’ ‘Is This It’. Julian Casablancas is a massive fan of the band and admitted that The Strokes’ earlier music definitely drew from The Velvet’s. Julian covered The Velvet’s ‘Run Run Run,’ and favourite songs from the band are ‘Rock and Roll’, ‘Sweet Jane’ and ‘I’m Waiting For The Man’. If you are a fan of bands like The Strokes, we recommend you listen to the band that inspired them.

Also Read: Bands Like Tame Impala

4. The Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys are an English rock band from Sheffield. The band originally consisted of Jaime Cookie Cook (Guitar), Matt Helders (Drums, vocals), Andy Nicholson (bass guitar), and lead member Alex Turner (vocals and guitar). Andy Nicholson left the group in 2006 and was replaced by Nick O’Malley (bass). Arctic Monkeys has remarkably risen as an indie band, thanks to their growing and loyal fanbase and internet buzz. The Strokes and The Arctic Monkeys have shared their mutual admiration over the years.

Julian Casablancas admitted that he always wanted to be a part of The Arctic Monkeys and also shared a post doing a parody of Arctic Monkeys’s popular 2006 album cover ‘When People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not.‘ Alex Turner has also been open about his love of The Strokes. The band has covered various songs by The Strokes, including ‘Is This it‘ and also gave a shout-out to the band in their song ‘Star Treatment’ with the lyrics ‘I just wanted to be one of The Strokes..’. Suppose you like the 2000s alternative rock sound of The Strokes. In that case, Arctic Monkeys’ catchy and relatable music should be the perfect match. 

5. Interpol

The American rock band Interpol, like The Strokes, also formed in New York just a year prior, in 1997. The band’s original line-up comprised Paul Banks, Daniel Kessler, Carlos Dengler, and Greg Drudy. However, Drudy wanted to pursue other projects, so he was replaced by Sam Fogarino. The band was one of the groups that emerged from the post-punk revival and is often compared to The Strokes.

Interpol’s music is usually a mix of rhythmic, harmonised guitar with a snare-heavy mix and staccato bass. Interestingly, Interpol calls themselves less ‘buddies’ but more rivals to The Strokes. If you want to listen to bands likeThe Strokes with a darker tone, then Interpol should be a good option for you. 

6. The Libertines 

The Strokes arrived in Britain on a wave of hype that would help launch the careers of many artists, including The Libertines. The English rock band The Libertines was formed in London in 1997 by Carl Barât and centred on the signwriting partnership between Carl Barât and Pete Doherty. The band also included John Hassall and Gary Powell. The band spearheaded the garage rock revival moment. They played gigs alongside The Strokes and The Vines despite their open drug use and notoriety.

Interestingly enough, in an interview, The Strokes’ Nick mentioned that Pete looked like Julian Casablancas. The band played a 2-hour surprise show in The Blue Kitchen where they covered The Strokes’ ‘Someday’. Though I won’t say that The Libertines sound entirely similar yet are often called the British version of The Strokes. You can try listening to music by The Libertines if you are in search of artists similar to The Strokes.

7. The Killers

Another American band on this list, The Killers is a rock band formed in Las Vegas in 2001. The band consists of Dave Keuning (lead guitarist and backing vocals) and Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards, and bass), Mark Stoermer (bass, rhythm guitar, backing vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr (drums, percussion). The Killers are grouped with many genres including alternative rock, indie rock, and pop rock to name a few.

Most importantly, The band was a part of the post-punk revival movement. The Killers have had a course of rivalry. The Strokes’ Nick Valensi wasn’t happy when The Killers received more popularity than them despite having better music. The Killers’ Brandongraciously replied that he felt “depressed” and thought The Strokes’ This Is It sounded perfect. And hence he threw away all their work at the time except (and thankfully) their major hit Mr.Brightside. Listen to The Killers if you’re a fan and want to hear bands that sound like The Strokes. 

Also Read: Bands like MGMT

8. Pixies

Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1986. The original band consisted of Black Francis, Joey Santiago, Kim Deal and David Lovering. There was an acrimonious breakup in 1993 but then they reunited in 2004. Kim Deal left in 2013 and Paz Lenchantin became the permanent member. The band is known for their ‘loud-quiet-loud’ shifts in song structures. 

Pixies are associated with 1990s alternative rock and draw on elements including punk rock. Many songs by Pixies have a similar feel to The Strokes. Especially, a song called Where Is My Mind by Pixies, released in 1988, has a very similar musical riff to The Strokes’ title song Is This It? Pixie’s Where Is My Mind gained huge popularity when the cult-favourite movie The Fight Club featured the song for their final scene. So if you want to hear music like The Strokes, give Pixies a try.

9. Tame Impala

Tame Impala is Australian multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker’s psychedelic music project. Parker writes, records, performs and produces all his music. As a touring act, Tame Impala is composed of Parker, Dominic (guitar and vocals), Jay Watson ( guitar synthesiser), Cam Avery (bass, guitar and vocal) and Julien Barbagallo (drums, vocals). Their single ‘Less I Know The Better’ gained immense popularity upon release with over a billion streams on Spotify alone.

Tame Impala’s jazzy, blue and psychedelic vibe album Lonerism received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. Recently, Tame Impala covered The Strokes’ “Last Nite” at Primavera Sound in 2022. One of the biggest things that unite these two artists is their focus on youth, sex and psychedelics. You should listen to Tame Impala if you want to listen to bands like The Strokes.

10. Franz Ferdinand

Don’t be confused by the title; this is not a solo artist, but a Scottish band called Franz Ferdinand (The name was inspired by a racehorse called Archduke Ferdinand). Also referred to as FF, the Scottish band formed in Glasgow in 2002. FF is one of the most popular post-punk revival bands, they have received multiple Grammy Awards in the course of their musical career. 

The band’s fans have pointed out that FF’s debut self-titled record Franz Ferdinand has an apparent influence from the style of The Strokes. FF’s most popular songs include “Darts of Pleasure,” “Walk Away,” and “Ulysses”. You will indeed find FF’s music compelling if you search for bands like The Strokes. 

Honourable Mentions

A few bands like The Strokes didn’t make the list, but you should check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Kings of Leon
  2. MGMT
  3. The Vaccines
  4. The Last Shadow Puppets
  5. Vampire Weekend
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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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