10 Bands That Start With A

The musical world contains a diverse array of talented artists who use their gifts to connect with audiences worldwide. Exploring bands whose names start with the letter A provides a microcosm of rock music’s origins and evolution across genres, decades, and continents.

From hard rock to synth-pop, punk to hip-hop, these alphabetically aligned groups left an imprint through skillful songwriting, technical chops, and inspired performance. Their stories demonstrate the power of music to influence culture while providing a soundtrack to the human experience.

Here is a table for the 10 Bands That Start With A:

Band	Country of Origin	Decade Formed	Genre	Biggest Hit Song
A$AP Rocky	USA	2000s	Hip hop	“F**kin’ Problems”
A-ha	Norway	1980s	Synth-pop	“Take on Me”
ABBA	Sweden	1970s	Pop	“Dancing Queen”
AC/DC	Australia	1970s	Hard rock	“Back in Black”
Ace of Base	Sweden	1990s	Pop/reggae fusion	“The Sign”
Adam & The Ants	UK	1970s	New wave	“Stand and Deliver”
Aerosmith	USA	1970s	Hard rock	“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
Aesop Rock	USA	1990s	Alternative hip hop	“None Shall Pass”
AFI	USA	1990s	Punk/Alt rock	“Miss Murder”
Air Supply	Australia	1970s	Soft rock	“All Out of Love”

10 Bands That Start With Alphabet ‘A’

1. A$AP Rocky: Harlem’s Hip-Hop Hero

A$AP Rocky brought the spirit of Harlem to the forefront of hip-hop music. Breaking out on the scene in 2011 with his mix tape “Live. Love. A$AP,” Rocky combined smooth flows with hard-hitting lyrics about his life growing up in the streets of northern Manhattan. His unexpected rise demonstrated that rap music still holds potential for fresh new voices.

How did A$AP Rocky get his start in music?

As a teen, Rocky joined a hip-hop collective called A$AP Mob
The A$AP Mob released mixtapes and built an underground following
In 2011, Rocky released his own mixtape and generated major label interest
He signed to a $3 million record deal shortly after his mixtape debuted

With his fashion-forward style and creative music videos, Rocky brought the uptown swag of Harlem into the mainstream. He helped spur a renaissance of the classic New York hip-hop sound for a new generation.

2. A-ha: Norway’s Synth Pop Pioneers

Coming from the unlikely musical hotbed of Norway, A-ha rapidly claimed international fame and success during the 1980s. Their first single “Take On Me” hit #1 worldwide thanks to its innovative music video. Combining electronic keyboards and synthesizers with catchy guitar riffs and soaring vocals, A-ha created a new template for European synth-pop.

What elements characterize A-ha’s distinct musical style in the 1980s?

Synthesizers and electronic keyboards featuring prominently
Guitar and percussion blended with analog synthesizers
Lead singer Morten Harket’s wide vocal range and melodic hooks
Melancholy and longing lyrics juxtaposed against energetic music
Music videos utilizing creative formats and visual effects

Although considered a quintessential 80s band, A-ha continued releasing albums together through the 2010s. Their synth-based sound left a lasting mark on popular music.

3. ABBA: Sweden’s Hit Factory Quartet

ABBA dominated global pop music charts from the mid-1970s into the early 1980s. Combining bubblegum pop hooks with disco beats, the two married couples charmed fans with their matching outfits and catchy songs like “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia.” Hailing from Sweden, ABBA showed pop music’s potential for global reach and set the template for future pop groups.

How did ABBA form and achieve worldwide success?

Two separate couples met while collaborating on musical projects
Band name ABBA is formed from the first letters of each member’s name
Won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest launched their fame
Released eight consecutive albums that all reached the Top 10
Set records in global record sales, fueled by international tours

Though the two couples later divorced, ABBA’s music continued inspiring fans and musicals like “Mamma Mia!” Their model for matching pop group outfits and disco dance songs fuels much of today’s pop landscape.

4. AC/DC: Australia’s Hard Rock Heroes

AC/DC brought the raw energy of hard rock from Australia onto the world stage. Formed by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young in 1973, AC/DC unleashed their high voltage sound on early albums like “Highway to Hell” and “Back in Black.”

Angus Young’s schoolboy stage outfit and wild guitar solos drove live shows alongside lead singer Bon Scott’s gritty vocals. The band persevered after Scott’s death, finding new fame with singer Brian Johnson.

How did AC/DC develop their signature sound and stage presence in the 1970s?

Hard-edged guitar riffs and solos inspired by early blues rock
Thundering drum beats and bass lines evoke relentless power
Flamboyant schoolboy costume and manic energy from guitarist Angus Young
Gritty, growling vocals paired with clever lyrics about rock lifestyle
High energy and raw sound translating from albums into frenzied live shows

AC/DC earned recognition as pioneers of heavy metal and hard rock. Their pounding anthems about rock debauchery and rebellion inspired later groups like Guns N’ Roses. Decades later, AC/DC continues to sell out stadiums and influence generations of rockers.

5. Ace of Base: Scandinavia’s Pop-Reggae Infusion

The Swedish pop group Ace of Base broke through in the early 90s with an infectious sound fusing reggae and dance-pop. Their debut album “Happy Nation” sold over 23 million copies globally thanks to upbeat songs like “The Sign” and “All That She Wants.”

The group’s blended family of vocalists charmed listeners with positive lyrics and bubbly harmonies. Their music signaled a shift toward pop crossover and world music beats entering the mainstream.

What unique musical elements propelled Ace of Base’s widespread popularity in the 1990s?

Blending European pop melodies with Caribbean reggae rhythms
Smooth vocal harmonies and alternating male-female lead vocals
Danceable beats and uplifting lyrics with mass appeal
Breakout hit “The Sign” fueling their debut album’s momentum
Heavy rotation of their music videos on MTV and radio play

Although Ace of Base saw their fame peak by the late 1990s, their catchy songs left an imprint on pop music. Their formula blending reggae-pop with social consciousness set the stage for later acts like Maroon 5.

6. Adam & The Ants: Pioneers of New Wave Style

Adam & The Ants : Bands That Start With A

English musician Adam Ant merged punk rock energy with glam rock flair to pioneer the New Wave music scene in the late 1970s. His band Adam & The Ants stood out from punk peers with a flamboyant, swashbuckling stage look.

Their tribal rhythms intermixed with rock guitar licks and Ant’s yelping vocals made songs like “Stand And Deliver” and “Prince Charming” into New Wave classics. Adam Ant’s visual style and sound left a template for New Wave and post-punk bands through the 80s and beyond.

What set Adam & The Ants apart from their 1970s punk rock peers?

Theatrical stage persona and costumes inspired by punk and glam rock
Tribal rhythms and world music beats mixed with rock instrumentation
Ant’s vocal delivery spans singing, chanting, and speech patterns
Clever lyrics focused on history, rebellion, and fame’s trappings
Lavish music videos advancing the band’s visual brand

Adam Ant fused music and imagery to advance punk rock into a more artsy aesthetic. His flair set the tone for New Wave fashion along with spawning later bands like The Human League.

7. Aerosmith: America’s Bad Boys of Hard Rock

As America’s answer to The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith won fame as the bad boys of 1970s hard rock. Frontman Steven Tyler’s flamboyant style and bluesy howl teamed up with guitarist Joe Perry’s gritty riffs to power hits like “Walk This Way” and “Sweet Emotion.”

The band lived the fast lifestyle their songs glorified, with rampant drug abuse and in-fighting threatening to destroy them. Yet Aerosmith persevered, enjoying a comeback in the late 80s that made them icons. Even today, their attitude-fueled rock has made them concert favorites decades since their start.

How did Aerosmith embody the excess and debauchery of 1970s hard rock?

Hedonistic lyrics glorifying sex, drugs, and rebelliousness
Hard-partying lifestyle with band members abusing substances
Raw guitar licks and guttural vocals convey attitude
Stage clothes featuring scarves, jewelry, bold colors, and patterns
High energy and sexualized performances mirroring The Stones

Aerosmith demonstrated rock and roll as an escape and outlet. Their ability to survive disaster and resurrect success cemented their legacy. Generation X bands like Guns N’ Roses modeled themselves on Aerosmith’s blueprint.

8. Aesop Rock: Master Lyricist of Alternative Rap

The intricate wordplay of indie rapper Aesop Rock sets him apart in the hip-hop world. Hailing from San Francisco, his elaborate lyrics weave dense imagery and multiple meanings that reward close listening. He builds entire songs around storytelling and metaphor, keeping the focus on his use of language over catchy hooks.

Collaborations with underground artists like MF Doom and Kimya Dawson further Aesop Rock’s cerebral aesthetic. While too esoteric for mainstream success, his verbal dexterity places him at the peak of lyrical achievement.

What aspects of Aesop Rock’s music demonstrate his literary-inspired approach to rapping?

Highly poetic lyrics structured with rhyme schemes and wordplay
Songs and albums built around themes, narratives, and character studies
References to literature, myths, and philosophical ideas
Collaborations with anti-folk artists and avant-garde MCs
Fast-paced delivery challenging listeners to catch allusions

Aesop Rock treats each song as a puzzle box rewarding deep reflection. His albums play out like alternative literature, making him a thinking fan’s rapper.

9. AFI: Punk’s Ever-Evolving Chameleons

The band AFI began in 1991 as a hardcore punk group before shifting with the changing musical times toward dark alternative rock. Their initial raw sound drew comparisons to pioneers like The Misfits and Minor Threat. As they honed their skills and lineup, AFI expanded into goth-tinged anthems layered with electronica influences.

Chart-topping albums like “Sing the Sorrow” demonstrated AFI’s maturity while keeping their punk foundation. Dramatic songs like “Girl’s Not Grey” and “Miss Murder” resonated with fans feeling disconnected. AFI’s constant evolution shows punk’s potential to hybridize across genres and generations.

How has AFI adapted its sound across decades while retaining a punk rock heart?

Added electronic and synth elements to early hardcore punk base
Expanded from short fast songs to more complex arrangements
Developed darker aesthetic and goth-inspired lyrics over time
Maintained a DIY work ethic and intimacy with fans
Continued highlighting feelings of loneliness and disillusion

AFI’s shape-shifting progression gives them crossover appeal without compromising creative energy. Their willingness to grow and experiment makes them punk’s most versatile veterans.

Conclusion

Tracing musical history through bands named A-Z reveals rock’s rich tapestry interweaving countless threads of creativity. These artists used vision, passion, and work ethic to realize their dreams, demonstrating music’s timeless ability to give voice to the human spirit.

As genres continue crossing and pollinating into new hybrid forms, the legacy of A-named bands will live on by inspiring future generations to pick up guitars, start bands, and speak their truth through song. Music’s endless wellspring of expression starts with a single note but resonates across ages.