Definition
An amateur rock band, typically self-taught and informal, that rehearses and performs in a garage or small venue and often lacks formal training or record label backing. The term connotes raw energy, DIY ethics, and a grass-roots approach to music-making.
Example Usage
The garage band down the street plays covers every Friday night and dreams of making it big.
Origin
Emerged in the 1960s to describe amateur rock bands practicing in residential garages; popularized by bands like The Sonics and The Kingsmen who epitomized the raw, unpolished garage rock sound.
Fun Fact
Garage rock experienced major revivals in the 1980s punk/new wave era and again in the early 2000s, with bands like The White Stripes and Black Lips reclaiming the aesthetic and DIY spirit.
Related Terms
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See “garage band” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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