Noise rock

Noise rock (sometimes called noise punk)[2] is a noise-oriented style of experimental rock[3] that spun off from punk rock in the 1980s.[4][5] Drawing on movements such as minimalism, industrial music, and New York hardcore,[6] artists indulge in extreme levels of distortion through the use of electric guitars and, less frequently, electronic instrumentation, either to provide percussive sounds or to contribute to the overall arrangement.[4]

Quick facts: Noise rock, Other names, Stylistic origins, C... ▼

Noise rock
Flipper at the 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C., 1984
Other names	Noise punk
Stylistic origins	Experimental rock punk rock noise minimal industrial hardcore punk[1]
Cultural origins	c. Mid-1960s to 1980s, New York City, United States
Derivative forms	Grunge post-hardcore
Other topics
Alternative rock avant-punk indie rock noise pop post-punk no wave mathcore grindcore

Some groups are tied to song structures, such as Sonic Youth. Although they are not representative of the entire genre, they helped popularize noise rock among alternative rock audiences by incorporating melodies into their droning textures of sound, which set a template that numerous other groups followed.[4] Other early noise rock bands were Big Black and Swans.