The power trio is a rock and roll band format popularized in the 1960s. The traditional power trio has a lineup of guitar, bass and drums, leaving out the rhythm guitar or keyboard often featured in other rock music. In more recent years, the term has become generally applied to any sort of three-person band [Wikipedia]. This is a list of the top 15 power trios!
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s hard not to have a strong opinion of Primus and Les Claypool’s groundbreaking bass styles.
Formed in 1980, the Femmes’ self-titled album brought Folk-Punk to new heights.
Peaches! Ninjas! Life is good.
While not as widely known as many of the groups listed here, their influence can be felt throughout the world of Heavy Metal. Way before their time.
The tragic death of Lead singer/guitarist Bradley Nowell came just as Sublime started to break into mainstream radio. With an enduring hard-core fan base, one can only wonder how far Sublime could have gone, if Nowell hadn’t fallen victim to his frequent drug abuse.
One of the most recent additions to the power-trio family, this Australian trio has quickly made a name for themselves by blending styles ranging from Black Sabbath, The Who, David Bowie and The Doors among others. They also seem to be popping up on just about every 3rd TV commercial and movie soundtrack these days…
The “other” Rush. This Canadian power-trio had several hits during the 80′s, but perhaps is best-known for having the “most-recognized-as-underrated-best-guitarist”, Rik Emmet.
Green Day achieved a marketing miracle by rising to the top of the charts during the 1990′s “grunge” era, and returning as a powerhouse in the early 2000′s, appealing to a whole new generation.
Lemmys gruff voice, thumping bass and “Fast” Eddie Clarke’s screaming guitar have influenced just about every metal band ever created since “Ace of Spades” was released in 1980.
While most of their songs were simple, power chord riffs with minimal leads, Kurt Cobain and Co. are credited with bringing Grunge to the masses.
The boys from Texas have been at it for almost 40 years, putting out hit after hit while never straying too far from their blues-rock base camp.
From the first moment Sting belted out “Roooooxannne!” The Police were destined for superstardom. Thankfully, Mr. Sumner has awakend from his new-age induced tantric coma, and rumors of a new album are brewing.
Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce pretty much helped define what a power trio should be with a string of hits and an influence that still grabs young’uns by the naughty bits.
No one can argue the influence Hedrix had on the electric guitar, but he accomplished his amazing guitar wizardry while simultneously singing and under the influence of some incredibly heavy drugs. Along with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, Hendrix turned the world of music upside down with his debut album “Are You Experienced?” in 1967. The world would never be the same.
Rush redefined the term Power Trio by making more music that anyone ever thought possible with just 3 people onstage. All musical virtuosi on their respective instruments, yet somehow still managing to get together and turn into a whole greater than the sum of it’s parts. Hands down, the Mac Daddy of all power trios.
Notable exclusions: King’s X, Blink-182, Meat Puppets, Minutemen, The Melvin’s
Contributor: BishopWhiteT
I’m going to have to add Grand Funk Railroad as a 3 pc. I know they were not a 3 pc. later in their career, but they made plenty of noise while they were.
Grand Funk Railroad
Randall; I actually kind of agree with romero, bland may be a little over the top, but they have that lilting, new wave kind of yuck vibe that I do not like at all. I figured out why. I was well past the club scene by the time new wave came about..in fact I quit clubbing right around the same time it was legal for me to do so. Around 1980/81. I missed out on it, therefore there is no connection.
Better make that MISTER Hollow ***** to you romerozombie!
And weren’t you the one who told people to lighten up a few posts ago?
Ahh screw it, I thought the Bee Gees were a power trio.
HAAAAA – dan231, please e-mail my boss and tell him why I just sprayed Coke all over my keyboard.
romero:
If I remember correctly, you’re also a Metallica fan. That says it all right there.
To begin with, moron, The Jam were certainly NOT “mainstream,” at least not here in the US. But even in the UK I’d hardly say they were considered that.
Secondly–why don’t you tell me what’s wrong with “the mainstream” while you’re at it? Are you going to claim that nothing good can be popular? Or that everything that’s popular is *****ty? I would hope you’d have the brains to realize how stupid and illogical that would be, since some very good things have been popular–not just in music, but in books, art, film… so why don’t you just drop the childish pose about this and knock of all the references to “listening outside of the mainstream”?
And in point of fact I’ve been into underground and indie music my entire goddamned life, which for all I know is going back a lot further than yours… I could name a hundred freakin’ bands you never even knew existed, *****. What would that prove?
Nice crack about “wetdreams”—coming from some little punk who probably has nothing but. The point was only “irrelevant” to you for convenience’s sake, since you have no answer for it. Point being, it was music that moved a WHOLE *****LOAD of people in the day—and it certainly was not pop/mainstream/plastic-packaged music.
Again, butthead–I don’t care who you like or don’t like. It’s your right. But if you’re gonna make comments and criticisms, be intelligent about it. Do your homework, know who and what you’re talking about.
Why not tell me anyway how it is Natasha Khan is supposed to be all that much superior to The Jam? The Jam are clearly one of the most important bands in UK rock history. Bat for Lashes is okay, but even in the UK she’s not heralded that high.
dan231 – Where might one purchase your albums?? lol
ummm….Metallica rocks!!
RUSH Rules!
Social Distortion!
Im not a Metallica fanboy by far, but to say “you’re also a Metallica fan. That says it all right there.” I would wonder where you going with that?.
eh rap is better
I really don’t get the obsession with Hendrix….the guy was definitely good but he wasn’t around long enough. Maybe it’s the potential that people are obsessed with. In terms of three people making music ya it’s good. But rolling stone mag. calling him the best guitar player ever? Strange, bandwagon world we live in.
Sedulous: I think some of that has to do with the mystique of what could have been. Jimi was a great player and was only around a short time. He was never around long enough for people to get a full sense of his abilities or to see if he could make it last. So they have to base his music on just a few songs.
Think about it…I put out 1 great album and then die. people will call me great beacuse of my one album. But if I had lived, 1 would have put out 3 crappy albums and then 1 more good one. That’s pretty poor and I would be judged poorly based on all my records.
Do I like Jimi, yes, all of his stuff, no… I think the same goes for any muscian or actor (think James Dean) who died young.
i know they don’t have the prescribed instrumentation but could run dmc be counted in this realm?
Sorry to derail the flame train, but…
Sublime is amazing. Soundtrack to my youth, for sure. I’m from Southern California and have spent many a summer ditching school and driving to the beach blasting 40 Oz to Freedom from my car.
Good list, but Blink 182 definitely deserves a spot here. They were one of the biggest punk bands of the 90s and if it weren’t for their infighting they probably still would be.
BishopWhiteT; Did you know Rik Emmett is touring? I know he had dates around where I live this fall. And I love your choices. Good bands, no lilt lite.
F-ya Primus, Nirvana, and Sublime!!! Where’s Muse?
dan: ya makes sense, thanks for the thought. Kinda what I was thinking too. Also no offense to all of you Sublime lovers but that is one band I’m sick of. Played on the radio way too much and it will always be the same 4 songs…I just cringe and change the station now. I don’t even remember if I liked them.
Rush are geeks…Nirvana would blow them off the stage anyday.
Speaking of omissions, what about Venom…the most infuential metal power trio of all time!
134. Sedulous…you are clueless and I assume a big Rush fan.
No Jam or Husker Du? Huh?
Does Big Country count now that they’ve come back as a trio?
I 2nd The Jam and Husker Du!
Bonus points for remembering Blue Cheer!
Grant
#89. Everlast
Spot on.
And can we please stop with the “OH MY GOD. You forgot MY favorite band, this random trio of guys that made one moderately successful album that I listen to because my ex-girlfriend made me listen to them one time and I’ve loved them ever since but no one else has ever heard of them before.”? I appreciate we all have different tastes, but getting defensive because one person, who did a great job on the list, btw, forgot YOUR favorite band that really doesn’t count anyway. Politely suggest bands, state your case, and stop with the “zomg eleventy-ones”.
At one time I loved Nirvana. But as I grew older, I liked them less and less, mainly because, as stated, their music was plain and full of clicheic riffs. I would have moved them lower, especially since this is a “best of” list and not an “influential” list.
Good job, Brotherman.
146. Cedestra…fair comments…but this still doesn’t excuse why a bunch of geeks are number 1.
Imagine a free concert in Central Park or Hyde Park with all the above bands playing. Who’d you think would get the best reception? A bunch of music school nerds showing off their musical virtuosity or a balls to walls rock band who actually play songs you can remember and sing along to?
This list sucks! How could you forget Tuesday Douchenozzle and Hillbilly Monkey*****?!? You douchnozzle monkey*****er.
I definately wouldn’t call Greenday a 3 peice band.
There’s only technically 3 members and they only ever show them in the film clips, but they have a guitarist that’s played with them on every single one of their albums and also, when you see them live there’s keyboard players and a brass section and sometimes a second drummer….
148. matt
Well, unless I’m grossly mistaken, who is in the Guiness Book of World Records as having sold the most tickets to a single concert? The Rollings Stones? The Beatles? Nope, it was Depeche Mode. Hardly “balls to walls” rock band. I actually think it’s a fair shot as to who gets the best reception. Not sure, but I’d say Rush really pushed the envelope, came up with some great tunes, are great players, and give a great concert (one of the few bands I’ve actually seen).
149. ?
LOL.
Double checked that fact; it was actually A-Ha who set a Guiness record for playing to the most amount of paying people at once: 198,000. Fact incorrect, but my point still stands.
looooooooooool
Rush is my least favorite band of all time.
Nirvana is inarguably in the top 3.
Greenday rocks! Literally! =)
“No one can argue the influence Hedrix had on the electric guitar”
that should be Hendrix.
Cog (Sydney band) are a mind-blowing power trio. But i’ll just go ahead and assume no one here knows who Cog are
Randall: Why can’t you just let people have their own tastes in music and stop using it as a basis of judgement. We all like different things and no amount of whining, *****ing and/or character assasination is gonna bring people round to your opinions.
All these kinds of arguments just annoy me. Why do you get so aggrivated when people praise a band that you hate. Let them have and air their own opinions, we have freedom of speech after all. Secondly, why is their view on a certain band so important, these arguments are such a waste of oxygen. Let people listen to who they want to listen to and lets all stop trying to shove our music tastes/opinions down each others throats.
Nirvana should be closer to number one.
Great idea for a list!
#15 PRIMUS and #14 VIOLENT FEMMES definately need to be higher on this list
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA should not be on here!! I’m sure you could have thought of someone else to put on. I’m not so sure about GREENDAY being on this list either.
As far as RUSH goes, I’ve always they were very talented musicians, but never really listened to much of their music besides hearing their singles on the radio. I decided to download a bunch of their music to so I could hear songs of theirs that get zero airplay. Their debut album definately has a Zeppelin sound to it…so I have to say I liked it
‘Working Man’ and ‘Here Again’ are great rock tunes. They were definately innovative in the records after their first rock album…although I’m not a big fan of the use of alot of synthesizer.
I was fortunate enough to see PRIMUS live at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, and I can safely say that LES CLAYPOOL is the best bass player that I have ever seen. After the talented Cliff Burton passed away, METALLICA had Les Claypool try out for their band since Kirk Hammett knew him from their school days. Claypool played ‘Master of Puppets’ on his bass and James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich were floored. Basically, Hetfield said he didn’t win the job because he was too good. Thank God for that, otherwise their would be no PRIMUS.
If your looking for the great rock trio….there was what some called a ‘super group’ consisting of POLICE drummer Stewart Copeland, PHISH guitarist Trey Anastasio and Les Claypool. I’m not saying to put them on this list because they only released one album, but damn can those motherFu@#ers jam
check out their CD ‘Grand Pecking Order’ if you get the chance.
i thought this time
i was going to see blink 182 for sure
but i guess
people hate them because of their style
they will be my number one forever
then greenday
but they are not really a trio
but i love them anyway
im kind of drunk so dont mind me
except for blink being the best maybe.
the only good thing BLINK 182 did was break up
lol
Kudos on Rush at #1, but Primus ranked lower than the Presidents of the USA??? C’mon now.
While I don’t necessarily agree with the order of them, the bands on this list are solid. But the inclusion of Presidents of the United States of America just ruins it for me.
The Greenhornes are a much better trio than the Presidents. Even Sleater-Kinney or the Yeah Yeah Yeahs would have been a better choice. Hell, pick 3 kids out of your local high school music class and you’d have a better trio than the Presidents
What about Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble? Only the last album had a fourth in it.
WOOT!!! All of these are super awesome! GREAT LIST!!!!
MUSE
King’s X not being included in the list at all except as an honorable mention negated the whole point of the List. They are still putting out Great music and they have been at it since ’83. Doug Pinnick has got one of the most soulful voices in all of music. Aside from the fact that they are one of the most respected bands in music by musicians.
To not even mention Muse when they are releasing some of the best Music in the last decade is just bad bad bad…
no Hüsker Dü? for shame, your power trios lack power it would seem, also 2nds (or thirds…) on the Jam, The Minutemen and fer crying out loud, the original line up of Crowded House! and what about Uncle Tupelo!!… well beside those oversights a fine list errrr….carry on….(cough cough)
165 – King’s X! Amen, dude, amen.
What no blink 182 thats lame!
Sublime should be 5 and everything kept the same. I don’t think bradley’s death should effect there status as a power trio.
what about the beatles,christina aguilera,N’Sync,and Snoop Dogg???? all great trios…. no dap for n’sync what a shame
To whom it may concern, I posted comment #149 under “?” (my old screen name). I was poking a little fun at people complaining about bands being left off that I’ve never even heard of. My apologies to all those who suddenly felt a strong sense of desperation at their inability to secure the lateset Hillbilly Monkey***** release. Maybe I’ll put out a single under that name, just so It’ll be out there.
If anyone beats me to it, I want a cut. That name is gold, Jerry, GOLD!
This is a great list. Listening to “Caress of Steel” at 12 was frickin’ sweet — then I turned 12 1/2, and I got super bored by Rush. Oh well — they are truly a power trio.
And Randall, of course you are dead on — the Jam were one leg of the holy british triumvirate (with the Clash and the ***** Pistols). I think they are vastly underappreciated, by Americans, at least. “English Rose”, come to think of it, might be one of the most beautiful songs of the almost-’80s:). And “In the City” smokes any Rush song ever.
Great to see Wolfmother on this list! I’m not a big Rush fan, but they do put out a lot of Power for a Trio.
The Rise and Fall of RandallMom424?–with third party alliance.
I listened to Blue Cheer for the first time last year. Outsideinside is good. I love their version of “The Hunter” I didn’t realize that they were a trio…and a power trio at that!
Tom Waits did the voice of the cat
ah The Police. rollerscating during the 80′s in Tennessee, buying a shiny checkerboard “iirridescent reflectant” sticker that said, “The Police”
and a pair of neon checherboard fat shoe lases.
before braces.
neon
who’s to say how some of these bands will age.
theres the 2 that died yound(Cobain and Hendrix) which automatically puts their music in the idol worship extention. Like a plum of rosy smoke
the experience totally beats rush!!!
This probably isnt the place but, jfrater do you have any other websites you are working on?
perhaps The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion comes to mind too.
Ok im a little slow but I remember from the biography that Hendrix’s name is spelled Hendrix, not Hedrix. sorry, i hate doing that.
James Gang
now that I’ve thought about it, i like The sun cycle better.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=diIThT_mNSI !! =0 =0 …MUSE are incredible live. I saw them last year.. got hit in the face with a bottle. totally worth the ear orgasms though