# British Indie Bands Shaped American Alternative Rock

> Three 1980s British indie bands defined American alternative rock's sound.
- Title: British Indie Bands Shaped American Alternative Rock · VICE
- Summary: Three 1980s British indie bands defined American alternative rock's sound. American alternative rock owes its rise to Scottish shoegaze band The Jesus And…
- Keywords: the jesus and mary chain, joy division, the smiths, indie rock, alternative rock, 1980s, shoegaze, post-punk, VICE
- Source: VICE — https://vice.com/en/article/3-british-indie-bands-from-the-80s-that-american-alternative-rock-owes-everything-to
- Author: Dan Milam
- Published: 2026-11-05T19:41:49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: the jesus and mary chain, joy division, the smiths, indie rock, alternative rock, 1980s, shoegaze, post-punk, news, culture
## The Jesus And Mary Chain
The Jesus And Mary Chain pioneered shoegaze and dream pop in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

> Iconic Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain publicly praised the Scottish band on multiple occasions
## Joy Division
Joy Division ended just as they began after frontman Ian Curtis died one day before their first North American tour.

> Their debut album unknown pleasures became one of the most important independent releases in the 1980s
## The Smiths
The Smiths influenced 2000s alternative bands through frontman Morrissey and Johnny Marr's jangly melodies.

> Countless alternative bands emerged in the 2000s echoing the sounds of The Smiths
## Key takeaway

American alternative rock owes its rise to Scottish shoegaze band The Jesus And Mary Chain, post-punk group Joy Division, and The Smiths.