Music inspired by the Beatles

May 25, 2011 11:36 AM

Looking for similar Beatles-inspired groups

I'm looking for more works inspired by the Beatles with a rock/metal slant, similar in sound to Soundgarden's "Blackhole Sun", and Billy Joel's "Laura", with that same kind of sluggish sound. Does anyone have any ideas on where I could find something similar?

posted by Query to Media & Arts (26 answers total)

In my mind, I've always thought "My Iron Lung" is what the Beatles would play on the way to their own execution.
posted by Lucinda at 11:39 AM on May 25, 2011

I'm not sure I'm seeing the direct connection between Black Hole Sun and The Beatles, but... Apples in Stereo?
posted by cmoj at 11:41 AM on May 25, 2011 [1 favorite]

Soundgarden's album after Superunknown (the one with "Black Hole Sun") was significantly more Beatley: Down on the Upside. You might also like the album by Chris Cornell (Soundgarden's singer) called Euphoria Morning.

Definitely check out the Alice in Chains brilliant EP Jar of Flies.

The Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness has several songs like this: Here Is No Why, Galapogos, Love, Muzzle, Porcelina Of The Vast Oceans, Thru The Eyes Of Ruby, Beautiful.

Dandelion - Dyslexicon, especially the song "Weird Out."

Several Nirvana songs: About a Girl, On a Plain, All Apologies. I believe Kurt Cobain described Nirvana as a mix of the Beatles and Black Sabbath.
posted by John Cohen at 11:52 AM on May 25, 2011 [1 favorite]

Kind of tortured, but a modern-day Beatles with a rock/metal slant would be Weezer.
posted by 2bucksplus at 11:52 AM on May 25, 2011

Hopefully you already know about Beatallica. I'd also put the middle section of Ozzy's No More Tears on the list.
posted by dr. fresh at 11:53 AM on May 25, 2011

The Clientele are definitely Beatles-esque (especially Strange Geometry), but more dreamy than metal.
posted by clockzero at 11:57 AM on May 25, 2011

When I'm looking for Beatles-esque, I turn to Gomez.

However, I hope you found this question as well.
posted by Gucky at 12:06 PM on May 25, 2011

The Smithereens debut album Especially For You.
posted by Trurl at 12:07 PM on May 25, 2011 [1 favorite]

Not metal, I should say. But superlatively Beatlesque.
posted by Trurl at 12:08 PM on May 25, 2011

Klaatu? (I'm not really sure what you're asking for here, honestly.)
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:13 PM on May 25, 2011

What came to mind first for me was The Syrups. You also want almost anything that has been touched by the hand of Jason Falkner.
posted by jbickers at 12:18 PM on May 25, 2011 [1 favorite]

There's an Andy Partridge song called "This Is The End" that feels like exactly what you're after. I think it was an Oranges And Lemons demo, but it's available on one of the "Fuzzy Warbles" discs.

How about "Ship Of Fools" by World Party? Lots and lots of Spilled Milk by Jellyfish?
posted by mintcake! at 12:19 PM on May 25, 2011

Betcha you'd also like Breakfast With Girls by Self. Perhaps especially "Placing The Blame?"
posted by mintcake! at 12:25 PM on May 25, 2011

(The Jellyfish record is called Spilt Milk, of course. Blerg.)
posted by mintcake! at 12:30 PM on May 25, 2011

The Olivia Tremor Control?
posted by frobozz at 1:01 PM on May 25, 2011

You might want to check the archives of DJ Gaylord Fields on wfmu.org. He has a specialty in Beatles imitators and sound-alikes.
posted by StickyCarpet at 1:21 PM on May 25, 2011

Tame Impala
posted by hellbient at 2:04 PM on May 25, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks to everyone for the input, a lot of great suggestions here.

If I can clarify my meaning, rather than just general beatles influenced bands, I'm really looking for songs that share the same sound as I posted above, that kind of
sluggish, darkly psychedelic sound. I just referenced the Beatles as I've heard both songs referred to as heavily Beatles influenced.
posted by Query at 2:41 PM on May 25, 2011 [1 favorite]

Pretty much all of the Slowcore and Shoegaze genres would fit the criteria.
posted by Sys Rq at 3:41 PM on May 25, 2011

Has no one recommended "Sowing the Seeds of Love" by Tears for Fears? Also (and this may be cheating a little), "When we was fab" by George Harrison
posted by holterbarbour at 4:33 PM on May 25, 2011

Crowded House's "Not the Girl You Think You Are" sounds like it should be on the White Album.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:53 PM on May 25, 2011

The first thing I thought of when I read this question was Darn Well by The Mosquitos.
posted by saladin at 7:29 AM on May 26, 2011

Ah crap, just read your follow-up post, nevermind.
posted by saladin at 7:30 AM on May 26, 2011

Stoner Rock is another genre you might want to look into. see: Queens of the Stone Age, Fu Manchu
posted by softlord at 5:20 PM on May 26, 2011

Jet's "Look what you've done has a lot of what you're looking for.
posted by jefftang at 8:44 AM on May 27, 2011

Possibly Julian Lennon's Valotte? He said in an interview that hearing The Nylon Curtain convinced him to have Phil Ramone produce his debut album. Some of the album is pretty up and poppy, like "Much Too Late for Goodbye", but the title track has a bit of that "Laura" vibe - less poundy, but slow and melodic.
posted by kristi at 10:45 AM on May 27, 2011