No, rock is not dead. I don’t care what any elite, know-it-all music journalists have tried to tell you—rock is alive, and it’s here to stay. Still, I must admit that it doesn’t always seem that way. With all the overproduced, electronic, cookie-cutter crap we’ve become accustomed to, it’s sometimes difficult to remember that there was a time when real music was made by real musicians who knew what the hell they were doing and didn’t require running their vocals through computers just to sound passable. It’s even more difficult to believe that there’s still hope for such a time to come around again. But don’t lose faith just yet: things are beginning to look up, and rock—old-fashioned, hard, no-messing-around rock—is indeed on the rise.

Here are seven bands that prove rock ‘n’ roll is on the rise:

Greta Van Fleet

First up is Greta Van Fleet—possibly the most successful young rock band currently playing - so strap in, because this’ll no doubt be the longest feature in this article. Consisting of brothers Josh (vocals), Jake (guitar), and Sam Kiszka (bass), along with Danny Wagner (drums), GVF was formed in 2012 in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and was signed by Lava Records in 2017. Later that year, after releasing their debut studio EP, From the Fires, it became clear that they were destined for big things and have been paving the way for rock’s comeback ever since.

When I first discovered their music, I was absolutely blown away by what I heard. I had been listening to a classic rock playlist on YouTube when GVF’s single “Highway Tune'' came on. Jake’s grooving, mature-yet-playful riff, closely followed by Josh’s opening howl, practically knocked the breath out of me and tipped me out of my chair. For a moment, all I could do was sit there, stunned, thinking it was a song from a classic rock band I had somehow missed. Then I realized that this was, in fact, not a classic rock band, but a new band—a band that was currently together and playing right now—and I felt even more elated.

I’m not sure how else to explain my first time hearing their music other than to say that it was a jaw-dropping, goosebump-inducing experience. But seriously, put on “Highway Tune” and tell me it doesn’t get your blood pumping with excitement; I dare you. And yes, they do remind you of Zeppelin—there’s no point in pretending otherwise, no matter how tiring the comparisons can get when coming from snobby music critics—but don’t let such comparisons distract you from acknowledging what good musicians these guys are. Especially when considering just how young the band is, the oldest members are currently 24, the talent they show and the success they have found is amazingly impressive to say the least. Greta Van Fleet has already been nominated for four Grammy Awards, winning for Best Rock Album (and for good reason); played with Elton John; opened for Bob Seger; gone on several tours of their own; and released many music videos, each garnering millions of views (one currently possesses over 69 million).

All in all, with excellent groove, genuinely interesting lyrics, awe-striking vocals, and brilliant chemistry between all four members, it would be an understatement to say that these kids are a shock of fresh, raw talent in today’s music industry. It’s the kind of talent that doesn’t come around often, the kind that makes you stop in your tracks and listen. Really listen. I could sit here and talk your ear off about GVF for days, but it’s time to move on, so I’ll simply close by saying that I cannot recommend them enough and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.

Joyous Wolf

Next up is Joyous Wolf, a West Coast band formed in Orange County, California, by Nick Reese (vocals), Blake Allard (guitar), Greg Braccio (bass), and Robert Sodaro (drums). They self-describe their sound as, “their own hybrid of hard-driving rock & roll, soul, blues, and alternative music,” which, I would say, pretty much sums up who they are.

Since being signed to Atlantic Records in 2018, the band has toured with several iconic rock names, including Slash and Deep Purple (impressive, no?), and, after listening to them, it’s not hard to understand why. Joyous Wolf has a contagious, confident energy to them that blends new-age rock with the feeling of classic blues-inspired rock ’n’ roll. Just go ahead and do yourself a favor by checking out their stellar cover of Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen,” and make sure to watch for the cartwheel-flip frontman Reese does at the beginning, among other entertaining moves throughout the rest of the video. One thing’s for sure: this is a band that knows about true rock star showmanship.

The Interrupters

The Interrupters is another four-person band formed in Southern California; however, this band is fronted by a woman - which we love to see - with Aimee Interrupter on lead vocals, Kevin Bivona on guitar, Justin Bivona on bass, and Jesse Bivona on drums. Also, this is the first, and only, punk-rock band to make this list.

Their sound is fun, energetic, and not unsimilar to if Rancid was fronted by a slightly raspier Joan Jett. They’ve got loads of excellent original works that come with enjoyable, lively music videos, as well as a kick-ass cover of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” that is so good, it might actually be better than the original. But the song, and video, that best shows who The Interrupters are has to be “She’s Kerosene,” a number that starts off strong and doesn’t let up for the entirety of its almost-too-brief three-minute runtime, perfectly showcasing their punk sound. So if you’re interested in a good time or good punk music, make sure to check out their music video for it on YouTube.

Bishop Gunn

Here we’ve got a four-piece band from Mississippi that, while technically being considered blues, Americana, has an undeniable southern/country kick to it that makes for deeply layered music and an interesting variety in discography. Formed in 2016, Bishop Gunn is made up of Tim McCready (vocals), Drew Smithers (guitar), Ben Lewis (bass), and Burne Sharpe (drums). Smithers’s guitar playing is expert, effortlessly switching between electric and wickedly hard-driving to soft, acoustic, and eerie. Meanwhile, singer/frontman McCready has a beautifully powerful voice with an equally masterful range that can go from sweet and emotionally soulful to backwoodsy and almost spooky, depending on the playing of his band members and the mood of the track.

My personal favorite of their work is the song “Alabama,” along with its accompanying music video. It’s a genuinely haunting, moving piece of music, in which the singer desperately repeats his prayer of not wanting to die in Alabama, doing so with such success that it makes you feel as if you might very well be in danger of dying in Alabama yourself. From the moment the song comes on with its deep, sinister humming, you know something is about to go down; and trust me when I say it doesn’t disappoint.

Quaker City Night Hawks

Quaker City Night Hawks gives us another blues-rock-mixed-with-southern-influences kind of band - this one being of the dark, gritty, old-school variety. Originating in Texas, the band consists of co-founders and co-frontmen Sam Andtrerson (rhythm guitar and lead vocals) and David Mastler (lead guitar), Max Smith (bass) and Aaron Haynes (drums). Together, they create a truly dark, swaggering style with an enticing air of danger that’ll make you feel some type of way. Turn on “Some of Adam’s Blues” or “Cold Blues” and you’ll be immediately transported to a smoky Texan dive bar with a glass of Jack Daniel’s in your hand and the keys to a badass ’60s muscle car in the other. Meanwhile, listen to “Liberty Bell 7” and you’ll suddenly be driving 90 in that very same muscle car down a desolate desert highway with nothing but a “give ’em hell” attitude that’s sure to make you want to check out their next hit. Nasty, filthy rock ’n’ roll - just the way we like it.

Highly Suspect

Next we have Highly Suspect, made up of Johnny Stevens (guitar, lead vocals), Matt Kofos (lead guitar, synthesizer), and twins Rich (bass) and Ryan Meyer (drums). This band, hailing from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is practically the definition of new-age rock. They’ve got an undeniably modern feel to them, with a sound inspired by multiple genres including hip-hop, alternative, and blues.

With fancy, inventive - if not straight up trippy - music videos, it is clear these guys know who they are, and don’t shy away from pushing the boundaries of the rock genre. To see what I’m talking about, look into their song, and most viewed video, “My Name Is Human.” The song itself is fantastic - my favorite of theirs, no doubt - with emotionally hard-hitting lyrics and a meaningful message that makes you think about your own individuality, what you really want from yourself and what exactly it means to be human. There’s a repeated phrase throughout the song,“Do you need some time to think it over?” - and the answer to that question is yes. Yes, you will need some time to think it all over. Also, the accompanying music video is a real treat, leading you on a strange, sci-fi adventure with interesting camerawork.

Dirty Honey

Last, but sure as hell not least, is Dirty Honey. These guys have talent: a true hard-rock band that is bringing back the classic rock ’n’ roll sound with each new track they release. But before I get carried away, allow me to introduce this Los Angeles band that was formed in 2017 by singer Marc Labelle, guitarist John Notto, bassist Justin Smolian, and drummer Corey Coverstone. They released their first EP, the self-titled Dirty Honey, in 2019, and have since found themselves quite a bit of success on both YouTube, many of their videos reach view counts into the millions, and in opening for big names such as Guns N’ Roses, Slash and The Who. Impressive, especially when considering the relatively short time they’ve been together.

As for what makes them special, you can start off by noting Labelle’s powerhouse of a voice that has a sound somewhere between Axl Rose, Robert Plant, and Steven Tyler - a rather fantastic mix, if you ask me. That voice, combined with Labelle’s easy charm that makes for a wonderfully charismatic stage presence, is fully supported by equally talented band members. Coverstone’s drumming has excellent swing, a quality not all drummers can claim, Smolian’s bass playing can be felt deep in the heart of the band’s rhythm, grounding each song in a unique groove and Notto’s guitar playing is clean and distinct, offering up some genuinely killer solos. The solo from their newly-released song “California Dreamin” is a personal favorite of mine; it has the look and feel of an iconic Slash solo while sounding reminiscent of early Aerosmith.

Altogether, the chemistry here is palpable - and holy hell, does it make for some great music. For an excellent example of this, check out their cover of Aerosmith’s “Last Child,” or listen to “Rolling 7s,” a song that manages to show off all the things that make Dirty Honey who they are: lively riffs, swinging drums, a tight/rhythmic beat, clever lyrics, and raw energy included. Now this is music. The more you listen to them, the more they’ll remind you of the good ol’ days of rock while making you excited for the genre’s future at the same time. And it doesn’t hurt that they have an epic logo, with the band name making the image of parted lips dripping honey. Neat, huh?

That brings us to the end of the list. Hopefully, it has given you some new bands to check out, or at the very least, a new hope for the future of the genre we love. You see, the heart of rock ’n’ roll is still beating; you just need to know where to listen.

Seven Bands That Prove Rock ’n’ Roll Is Alive and Well