Texas is one of the few places on earth where most of the world’s famous bands and musicians originated and thrived.
The world’s best bands and musicians perfected their craft in this Lone Star state. Texas takes credit for it when you talk about big names in hip-hop, blues, thrash, alt-rock, hardcore, and punk bands of all times, including 70s female pop artists.
From rock icon Buddy Holly to jazz star Ornette Coleman, Texas has helped determine and shape their musical career. Name a musical genre and style, and you’ll find that Texas is always on the top. Texas has been a breeding ground to them.
While we don’t need to dispute who the famous musicians and bands in Texas are, we come up with a list of them based on their cultural impact, quality of the musical record, solid ties to the state, and yes, their “Texasness”.
ZZ Top
Description: ZZ Top – Gimme All Your Lovin’ (Live)
ZZ Top is Houston’s blues and rock ‘n’ roll master. You cannot argue on this, especially that they have been in the music scene as long as Black Sabbath. They have one of the best music catalogs in the country, according to Metal Hammer. Not to mention, they remain so damn cool with their presence and performances on stage despite their age. Tres Hombres rule!
Pantera
Description: Pantera – Walk
This trash and metal band did only dominates Houston but also the global stage.
Texas is responsible for the popularity of this band. The world’s metal scene will never be complete without Houston’s incomparable Phillip Anselmo, Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie Paul, and Rex Brown.
Buddy Holly
Description: Buddy Holly & The Crickets “Peggy Sue” on The Ed Sullivan Show
Buddy Holly was only 22 when he died in an airplane crash, but his talent and reputation also brought out the best of other musicians he influenced in Texas. His music stands out despite his few catalogs. The vitality in his songs—from rhythm to lyrics—is an essential component of rock ‘n’ roll.
Absu
Description: Absu – Manannãn
Famous for its black metal music, Absu also carried the sound and attitude typical to a Texan band. It pushed its creativity to the limits. From thrash to death, progressive and Celtic anthems, the band nailed it! Tara, the band’s 2001 masterpiece, is solid proof of this.
Devourment
Description: Devourment – Parasitic Eruption
This band from Dallas is notorious for its sickening death metal sound. Its 1999’s debut album Molesting The Decapitated is both sinister and satisfying to the core.
Butthole Surfers
Description: Butthole Surfers – Who Was In My Room Last Nigh
Butthole Surfers is known for its surprisingly unusual music. Its psychedelic and hardcore sounds coupled with their “downright weirdness” undoubtedly made their every MTV appearance memorable. Its 1996’s ElectricLarryland brought a solid albeit bizarre reputation to the band.
Janis Joplin
Description: Janis Joplin – Ball and Chain
Born in 1943 in Port Arthur, Janis Joplin was one of the most badass women in rock ‘n’ roll from Texas. With her signature raspy voice and transcending stage presence, Joplin continued to influence blues artists around the world. She also went on to form multiple bands before her death.
The PAper ChAse
Description: The PAper ChAse – Out Come the Knives
According to Metal Hammer, John Congleton, vocalist of The PAper ChAse, was responsible for making “unsettling” rock music.
The band is known for its alternative and avant-garde sound. Its 2002’s Hide The Kitchen Knives is disturbing.
At The Drive-In
Description: At the Drive-In – One Armed Scissor
At The Drive-in is a five-person punk band from El Paso, Texas. Their hardcore music and wild performances, albeit short-live, were the stuff of legend.
Millions Of Dead Cops/MDC
Description: Dead Cops/America’s so Straight
Millions Of Dead Cops was born in Austin, Texas. While they moved to San Francisco and Portland, the Millions Of Dead Cops has remained as one of the controversial yet essential hardcore bands. The band is notorious for its brief and speed riffs. Their music is laden with socio-political issues, like their EP John Wayne Was A Nazi. Millions Of Dead Cops always finds itself in the spotlight, especially during its live performances marked with violent stand-offs.
Dirty Rotten Imbeciles/D.R.I.
Description: D.R.I. – Acid Rain
For over 34 years, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles has managed to thrive with its finest brand of hardcore and thrash music.
Kurt Brecht, the band’s iconic frontman, also continues to create incredible music with his other band Pasadena Napalm Division.
The Sword
Description: The Sword – Cloak of Feathers
Metallica hand-picked The Sword to open for the band’s concert in 2008. Since then, The Sword has continued to slay in any concert arenas across the globe. Their debut album Age Of Winters catapulted them into one of the world’s hottest bands.
Norah Jones
Description: Norah Jones – Come Away With Me
The pitter-patter of rain on the roof will never be complete without the soul and jazz music of Nora Jones. When played during a cold, dark, and windy evening, her gentle voice always brings perfect serenity to every weary soul.
Jones grew up in a suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She also joined other band projects. You can never say no to her 2002’s Come Away With Me!