The bands featured in this article span different genres but are united by their initial ‘N’ and their significant impact on the music world. Ranging from pioneering acts that helped shape rock music to contemporary favorites, these bands introduced new sounds and influenced countless artists that followed. They broke new ground sonically while cultivating devoted fan bases through authentic, emotionally powerful songs.
| Band | Year Formed | Location | Members of Note | Notable Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nirvana | 1987 | Aberdeen, Washington, USA | Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl | Nevermind (1991), In Utero (1993) |
| No Doubt | 1986 | Anaheim, California, USA | Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont, Adrian Young | Tragic Kingdom (1995), Return of Saturn (2000) |
| Nightwish | 1996 | Kitee, Finland | Tarja Turunen, Floor Jansen, Tuomas Holopainen, Emppu Vuorinen | Oceanborn (1998), Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015) |
| Nickelback | 1995 | Hanna, Alberta, Canada | Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger, Daniel Adair | Silver Side Up (2001), All the Right Reasons (2005) |
| Norah Jones | 1999 | New York City, USA | Norah Jones, Adam Levy, Lee Alexander, Charlie Sexton | Come Away With Me (2002) |
| Neon Trees | 2006 | Provo, Utah, USA | Tyler Glenn, Elaine Bradley, Branden Campbell, Christian Jacobsen | Neon Trees (2010), Habits (2013) |
| Nazareth | 1968 | Dunfermline, Scotland, UK | Dan McCafferty, Manny Charlton, Pete Agnew | Hair of the Dog (1975) |
| Neurosis | 1985 | Northern California, USA | Scott Kelly, Steve Von Till, Noah Landis, Dave Edwardson, Jason Roeder | Through Silver in Blood (1996), A Sun That Never Sets (2001) |
| Napalm Death | 1981 | Merseyside, England, UK | Mark Greenway, Shane Embury | Scum (1987) |
| Nada Surf | 1992 | New York City, USA | Matthew Caws, Daniel Lorca, Ira Elliot | High/Low (1996), The Weight Is a Gift (2015) |
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10 Best Bands That Start With N
1. Nirvana
Emerging from the underground grunge scene of the late 80s, Nirvana broke mainstream in 1991 with their major label debut Nevermind. Hailing from Aberdeen, Washington, the power trio consisted of vocalist/guitarist Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer Dave Grohl.
Their signature blend of loud-quiet dynamics, melodic guitar hooks, and Cobain’s raw vocals struck a deep chord. Hits like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” brought their fusion of punk attitude and pop catchiness to the masses.
Despite Cobain’s tragic death in 1994, Nirvana’s three studio albums showcased their gift for crafting anthemic rock with emotionally resonant lyrics.
2. No Doubt
Formed in Anaheim, California in the 80s, No Doubt was inspired by 2 Tone ska but aimed for broader commercial success.
The group is fronted by singer Gwen Stefani, with bassist Tony Kanal, guitarist Tom Dumont, saxophonist Adrian Young, and trumpeter Gabrial McNair rounding out the lineup. Breakthrough albums Tragic Kingdom (1995) and Return of Saturn (2000) showcased the group’s:
- Catchy pop-tinged songs
- Stefani’s charismatic stage presence
- The blending of ska, reggae, pop punk, and danceable rhythms
3. Nightwish
Hailing from Kitee, Finland, Nightwish is considered the leading act of symphonic metal. Founded by guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, bassist Sami Vänskä, and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, the band incorporates:
- Classical elements like orchestral arrangements and choral sections
- Opera-inspired vocals from frontwomen like Tarja Turunen and Floor Jansen
- Cinematic songwriting blending epic melodies with pounding rhythms and keyboard washes
Albums such as Oceanborn (1998) and Endless Forms Most Beautiful (2015) take listeners on epic journeys through lush soundscapes. They proved symphonic metal could find mainstream acceptance, inspiring many bands to integrate orchestral elements.
4. Nickelback
Formed in Hanna, Alberta, Canada in 1995, post-grunge group Nickelback enjoys massive commercial success despite mixed reviews.
Currently consisting of vocalist/guitarist Chad Kroeger, guitarist Ryan Peake, bassist Mike Kroeger, and drummer Daniel Adair, the band’s trademark sound blends hard rock grooves with vocal melodies and straightforward lyrics.
Multi-platinum albums like Silver Side Up (2001) and All the Right Reasons (2005) yielded ubiquitous hits like “How You Remind Me” and “Photograph” that helped drive their rise to popularity worldwide. While criticized for being formulaic, Nickelback undeniably crafted songs that connected with a huge global audience.
5. Norah Jones
The daughter of sitar player Ravi Shankar, Jones was immersed in jazz, blues, and Indian music from a young age. Born and raised in New York, she began jazz piano studies and performing at clubs before signing to Blue Note Records.
Her 2002 debut ‘Come Away With Me’ largely featured relaxed collaborations with drummer Adam Levy, bassist Lee Alexander and guitarist Charlie Sexton. Marrying her sultry vocals to understated acoustic arrangements yielded tremendous critical acclaim and commercial success, winning five Grammys.
Subsequent albums introduced more uptempo sounds and guest musicians but retained Jones’ intimate grace and sophisticated take on vocal-led jazz. Not confining herself to a single genre, she broadened ideas of what constituted popular and jazz music.
6. Neon Trees
Emerging from Provo, Utah in 2006, Neon Trees crafted vibrantly enthusiastic indie pop/new wave-influenced tunes led by vocalist Tyler Glenn, guitarist Elaine Bradley, bassist Branden Campbell, and drummer Christian Jacobsen.
The band secured mainstream attention with the infectious hit “Animal” off their 2010 self-titled debut. Subsequent albums Habits (2013) and Pop Psychology (2016) strengthened their fusion of upbeat pop hooks with energetic synth-pop arrangements.
Neon Trees proved that commercially successful modern rock bands could emerge even outside major cities by channeling new-wave optimism and DIY creativity into contemporary hit-making songs.
7. Nazareth
Formed in Dunfermline, Scotland in 1968, Nazareth established itself in the early 1970s with a hard rock identity integrating bluesy riffs and vocal melodicism.
Fronted by Northern Irish vocalist Dan McCafferty and featuring founding members like Scottish guitarist Manny Charlton and bassist Pete Agnew, the band gained fame in Europe during that decade.
However, their breakout came with their 1973 blues rock cover of Joni Mitchell’s “This Flight Tonight,” showing their ability to put a weighty spin on unexpected covers. Albums such as ‘Hair of the Dog’ (1975) cemented their status as hitmakers by fusing hooky choruses with guitar-driven grooves.
8. Neurosis
Emerging from northern California in 1985, Neurosis pushed boundaries of heaviness through meditative experimentalism layered with confrontational lyrical themes.
Consisting of different times of vocalists and instrumentalists like Scott Kelly, Steve Von Till, Noah Landis, Dave Edwardson, and Jason Roeder, the band layers ominous sonic textures over pummeling rhythms.
Seminal records like ‘Through Silver in Blood’ (1996) and ‘A Sun That Never Sets’ (2001) forge dystopian soundscapes that confront humankind’s darker facets. Widely influential beyond just metal, Neurosis demonstrated how volume could be harnessed as a tool for catharsis and reflection.
9. Napalm Death
Originating in Merseyside, England in 1981, Napalm Death spearheaded the grindcore movement and pushed tempos to unprecedented speeds.
Co-founded by vocalist Mark “Barney” Greenway and bassist Shane Embury, with a rotating cast of drummers and second guitarists, the band was distinguished by lightning-fast rhythms, razor-sharp riffing, and visceral lyrical themes addressing social issues.
While early EPs like Scum (1987) defined their blitzkrieg style, later albums on Century Media saw them integrate death metal techniques to far-reaching influence. They showed how extreme music could be a vehicle for a thought-provoking commentary on real-world problems.
10. Nada Surf
Coming from New York in the early 1990s, power pop band Nada Surf formed around Matthew Caws on guitar/vocals and Daniel Lorca on drums, later joined by Ira Elliot on bass.
Debuting in 1996, their melodic indie rock album High/Low demonstrated a knack for crafting emotionally resonant lyrics and ringing guitar hooks.
While never massive commercial forces, constant road work and high-quality albums such as ‘The Weight Is a Gift’ (2015) found the band considerable devoted fans. Nada Surf proved stylistic melodicism could engender loyal followers when incorporated into thoughtful, introspective songwriting.