The lineage of garage rock: the footprints left by the mavericks from abroad
Garage rock, born from the underground scene of the 1960s.
Mavericks like The Devil Dogs and The White Stripes have delivered a raw yet fiery sound that stands apart from more polished music.
Tracing the footsteps of artists across the globe—from The Prisoners in the UK, to The Devil Dogs in New York, to The White Stripes in Detroit—we bring you the allure of garage rock, a genre that could be called the very origin of modern music.
The lineage of garage rock: The footprints left by overseas mavericks (1–10)
When The Sun Goes DownArctic Monkeys
They are a garage rock band from England formed in 2002, centered around Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Matt Helders, and Nick O’Malley.
They’re a band with enough prowess to have performed at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.
ActionThe Devil Dogs
The Devil Dogs—a band said to have revolutionized garage rock—delivered a sound that captivated the world, and longtime fans still talk about it to this day.
You can feel the sheer energy in every one of their hits.
Truly a genius trio born out of New York.
NaiveThe Kooks
This song, where nostalgic guitar riffs intersect with a powerful rhythm, is emblematic of 2000s British indie rock.
Released as a single by the Kooks in March 2006, it shines with a youthful glow in which the anxieties and expectations of romance intertwine.
With its catchy melody and lyrics that capture the sensibilities of young people, it reached No.
5 on the UK Singles Chart and became the 19th best-selling single of the year in the UK.
Chosen as the fourth single from the album Inside In/Inside Out, it has been widely featured in film and TV soundtracks and has earned broad support, especially among younger listeners.
It’s the perfect track to color a page of youth—whether for conversations with friends or heart-fluttering moments of love.
Rock & Roll QueenThe Subways
An anthem of youth released in June 2005 by The Subways, who burst out of the UK indie rock scene.
It’s a track defined by energetic guitar riffs overflowing with youth and passion, and powerful vocals.
As a signature song from their debut album “Young for Eternity,” it reached No.
22 on the UK chart.
In addition to being featured on the soundtracks of the Hollywood films “Live Free or Die Hard” and “RocknRolla,” the band themselves appeared to perform it in a notable scene on the hit TV series The O.C.
In 2020, they created versions in 20 languages to mark the song’s 15th anniversary.
A staple at major festivals like Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds, this track is perfect for moments when you want to go all out with energy.
Surfin BirdThe Trashmen
It is a garage rock band formed in the 1960s by a core lineup including Tony Anderson, Dal Winslow, Bob Reed, Mark Anderson, and Robin Reed.
Although they disbanded after a brief five-year run that left a strong impact, they reunited in the 1980s and have been actively performing since.
Slow DeathThe Flamin’ Groovies
It is a garage rock band formed in San Francisco, USA, in 1965, centered around Cyril Jordan, Roy Loney, and Tim Lynch.
Until their breakup in 1992, they continued to pursue their own rock style without going against the times.
Doing It To DeathThe Kills
A British-American duo that fuses raw sensuality with a sophisticated sound, The Kills deliver a gem from their album Ash & Ice.
Released in March 2016, this work is an ambitious effort completed five years after the previous release, overcoming the guitarist’s rehabilitation.
The heavy guitar riffs and minimal drum beats strike a perfect balance, while Alison Mosshart’s cool yet alluring vocals captivate.
Centered on themes of repetition and exhaustion, the track portrays the cycle of desire and pleasure, and its stylish visual aesthetic, directed by Wendy Morgan, also drew attention.
It’s a must-listen for those who pursue rock ’n’ roll with stoic intensity and for anyone seeking underground sounds.