Effective 3-piece acts have appeared in a manner both scarce and effective over the years, with the mastery of a wholesome rock sound proving to be a difficult feat when confined to the capabilities of just 3 musicians. There have however been some trios that have managed to build and hold their own place within the VIP party that is the popular music industry.
10. Blink-182
Say what you will about these Californian scamps, but they sure can make some catchy music. Despite starting out as a somewhat derivative 3-chord punk rock band back in 1992, Blink have come a very long way over the course of their 6 albums- transforming from masters of the immature to anthemic master-craftsmen, and enjoying a very successful career in the process. Despite splitting in 2005 shortly after the release of their critically acclaimed self-titled LP, the boys reformed amid individual success in 2009, releasing latest offering ‘Neighborhoods’ in 2011.
9. Depeche Mode
Active continuously since 1980, Depeche Mode have gained a reputation as one of the most influential and hardworking electronic bands to have ever blessed the airwaves. Although their roots do go back into the late 70’s, Depeche Mode was formed officially in Essex, England in 1980 by friends Vince Clarke, Andy Fletcher and Martin Gore. Despite commonly hosting a harem of other musicians on stage during their live performances- these 3 have been responsible for Depeche Modes compositions since day 1.
8. The Police
England in the 1970’s was a very diverse place in the terms of the population’s ethnicity and religion- one result of this integration was new music. With soul and reggae increasing in popularity over the course of the decade, it wasn’t long before three white boys decided to give it a go. The Police were formed in London in 1977 by American drummer Stuart Copeland, who recruited musicians Gordon Sumner (Sting) and Henry Padovani- in an eager attempt to join the growing punk scene going on in the City at the time. The result however leaned more towards roots music and reggae, with Andy Summers overtaking guitar duty before the band’s first anniversary.
7. Muse
Formed in the quiet Southern English town of Teignmout, Devon in 1994- it has taken Muse a while to get to where they are today. Maintaining the same 3 members since their formation, Muse have released some 6 albums- becoming one of the most celebrated bands of this generation. The 3 musicians which comprise the group are Matt Bellamy (guitar, piano, lead vocals), Dominic Howard (drums) and Chris Wolstenholme (bass, vocals) all of whom were childhood friends and formed the band whilst still relatively young- which if anything makes their continuous ability to work together so effectively all the more impressive.
6. Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys originally formed as a hardcore-punk band in New York in the early 1980’s. Although finding some recognition as punks, it was the success of an early hip-hop tinged single entitled ‘Cooky Puss’ which convinced them to take a new approach. Around this time, a young Rick Rubin began DJing for the group- he then went on to create Def Jam Recordings and subsequently produce the band into the huge tongue in cheek hip hop superstars they have become. Up until Adam ‘MCA’ Yauchs tragic death earlier this year, Beastie Boys had been performing with the same line-up since 1983.
5. Rush
Canadian prog-rock titans Rush are little less than a religious institution among some factions of fans. The first incarnation of the band emerged all the way back in 1968 in Toronto, Canada- when youngsters Alex Lifeson, Jeff Jones and John Rutsey got together for a jam. Within a few years the band was hyped for very big things and had landed on its current line-up- incorporating Geddy Lee on bass and vocals along with Neil Peart on drums. Rush have gone on to enjoy success as one of the world’s leading rock acts, second only to The Rolling Stones and The Beatles for most consecutive Gold or Platinum selling albums ever.
4. Cream
As one of the many blues infused psychedelic rock acts of the 1960’s, Cream managed to create a hell of a lot of fuss during their brief yet explosive time together. Comprising of vocalist/guitar player Eric Clapton and a warring rhythm section made up of bass player Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker, Cream made 4 albums in 4 years- each of which was as good as the last. Despite the bands seeming unwillingness to co-operate as team members (which eventually caused their premature demise), the music they made was nonetheless huge, both for its time and for a 3-piece band.
3. The Jimi Hendrix Experience
During his spell as the world’s most exciting musical figure, Jimi Hendrix produced music as part of a number of bands. The first, and largely considered the best of these groups was entitled The Jimi Hendrix Experience and featured Englishmen Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell on bass guitar and drums respectively. The three albums made by the trio were all included in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 best of all time, and the group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Enough said.
2. The Jam
As pioneers of the British punk rock and mod movement, The Jam epitomised many of the characteristics still prevalent within the genre, including of course a 3 member line-up. Formed by Paul Weller in an English secondary school in 1972, The Jam took its first steps with somewhat of a fluid line-up. Eventually settling by the middle of the decade- the band went on to achieve much acclaim until their split in 1982, releasing 6 albums and touring the world extensively. Much of The Jams work is considered to have been very influential since its release, especially amongst the English rock bands of the 80’s and 90’s.
1. Nirvana
A band that I am sure needs no introduction; Nirvana was created by frontman Kurt Cobain in the desolate surroundings of Aberdeen, Washington- in 1987. After shaky beginnings and a self-funded debut album entitled ‘Bleach’, Nirvana eventually found a place to call their own within the famous Seattle grunge scene- which was at the height of its popularity at the time. The band worked its way through a number of drummers before settling with Dave Grohl in 1990, who stayed behind the kit until the groups separation in 1994 following Cobains death. Releasing 3 studio albums over their 7 year career, Nirvana still enjoy a reputation as one of the biggest names in rock music ever- influencing a huge amount of today’s rock stars with their famous disregard for the norm as well as their sonic and straight forward style.