Popular Techno Bands

Techno bands first appeared in Detroit, Michigan during the late 1980s, although this form of music came into its own in the dance clubs of Europe. Although techno is first and foremost about dancing, many artists pursue techno as a way to celebrate technology and its increasing role in our lives. If you're new to techno, here are some dance, trance and progressive bands that will give you a good introduction to this hard-driving music.

Aphex Twin
Looking for some unusual music that will fascinate you on the dance floor? Aphex Twin, aka Richard James, is a British techno pioneer with a deep appreciation for avant-garde music. Aphex Twin songs are easy to get into and include an unusual collection of recorded sounds.

Royksopp
Royksopp are a Norwegian duo that has proven very popular on the dance charts. "So Easy," "Night Out" and "Eple" are among their best-loved hits. If you've used the MacOSX Panther software, you heard a bit of "Eple" the first time you turned it on. The duo's music has also been featured in television commercials and video games.

Depeche Mode
Popular in the 1980s, Depeche Mode began as a New Wave group that evolved its sound to reflect techno influences, even as their songs inspired a generation of techno artists. Most techno focuses on music rather than lyrics, but Depeche Mode puts equal emphasis on songwriting and sound, creating songs that linger in the mind.

The Prodigy
Liam Howlett's techno band began in England in the 1990s, blending the edgy, aggressive sounds of hardcore and industrial rock with techno beats. The harsh, hardcore sound of The Prodigy has been a hit with fans, but the band has courted controversy several times for their lyrics and videos.

The Chemical Brothers
Englishmen Tom Rowlands and Ed Simonds became The Chemical Brothers in 1995, although they had been entertaining English audiences for several years. Like The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers were pioneers of the "big beat" techno sound with prominent bass lines and drums. The duo have remixed songs for many well-known artists and performed as DJs. Their live performances are considered some of the best by any recording artist.

New Order
Born from the remains of Joy Division after the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis, New Order evolved beyond synth-heavy pop songs to become a major influence on the emerging techno scene in the late 1980s. "Blue Monday" is their signature song, but every New Order album is filled with enticing electronic tracks that often verge on jazz explorations.

Fatboy Slim
English-born Norman Cook has performed under several names, including Fatboy Slim and his current moniker, Brighton Port Authority. As Fatboy Slim, Cook was a pioneer of the "big beat" techno sound. His live performances are legendary, and he was once banned from performing in his hometown of Brighton after a free concert drew an estimated 250,000 people.