# Bands with just three members. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 2, 2018, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028 "2018-02-02T14:07:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/41 "2018-02-03T11:49:09Z")
I’m loving this!! So many.bands I’ve never heard of ! 🙂 Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/42 "2018-02-03T14:20:31Z")
[Gary and the Hornets](https://youtu.be/gZvR6Fw-ET0), no doubt the inspiration for Cream 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/43 "2018-02-03T14:26:40Z")
The Band Perry. Being siblings might help. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/44 "2018-02-03T14:39:52Z")
43 posts and no mention of the most famous and successful female trio of all time [**The Supremes**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Supremes)??? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/45 "2018-02-03T16:45:54Z")
[The Nairobi Trio](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=416o9b_pjQk) Local favorite: [Aliotta Haynes and Jeremiah](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0saZiLV7-7E) ---
**Author:** ![Egnu\_Cledge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/34f0e0/32.png) [@Egnu\_Cledge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Egnu_Cledge)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/46 "2018-02-03T17:24:14Z")
[The Casual Dots](https://youtu.be/68GipX-qPp4) [The Cave Weddings](https://youtu.be/3NuMvHofD_w) [The Cigarettes](https://youtu.be/yIF09HN1U8U) [The Coathangers](https://youtu.be/2oihwsQp1r8) [Screaming Females](https://youtu.be/soTg-Q20du4) [Shannon and the Clams](https://youtu.be/rqnTHo1ryj4) [The Clears](https://youtu.be/wUDToc1OIjk) [Cocteau Twins](https://youtu.be/NhGoZLudKyk) [The Cosmetics](https://youtu.be/SrdFUmFGjaI) [Crash Course in Science](https://youtu.be/DdNH1urxXOw) [Magic Hour](https://youtu.be/vBkNCzdhxGs) (Galaxie 500 fans, Damon and Naomi were in this) [Damon & Naomi with Ghost](https://youtu.be/X2fIZbk1Klo) [The Cure](https://youtu.be/PDVzELTbHPg) (first album, only) ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/47 "2018-02-03T17:28:25Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > “Aren’t they a quartet? Hamilton, Joe, Frank, and Reynolds?” > > “I always thought they were a duo. Hamilton Joe Frank, and Reynolds.” > > “No, they were a trio. Hamilton Joe, Frank, and Reynolds.” > > “Wait! They were a quintet! Hamilton, Joe, Frank, Ann, Reynolds.” It’s even more complicated! Reynolds was out of the band before they became successful, but they kept their old name, rather than becoming “Hamilton, Joe Frank, and Dennison.” ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/48 "2018-02-03T17:32:59Z")
The greatest Welsh metal band ever: Budgie! To be sure, that’s a minor distinction, like “Greatest Female Nose Tackle” or “Greatest Japanese Power Forward.” ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/49 "2018-02-03T20:29:02Z")
The Thermals The Joy Formidable Biffy Clyro The XX Nada Surf The Secret Machines Alkaline Trio Hüsker Dü Muse Peter Bjorn and John Them Crooked Vultures Sebadoh Band of Skulls Sugar Everclear The Fratellis Silverchair Low Feeder Thirty Seconds to Mars Bratmobile Triggerfinger Elliott Brood Manic Street Preachers Yeah Yeah Yeahs Failure The Presidents of the United States of America Two Door Cinema Club Placebo Dispatch Menomena Paramore The Wombats ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/50 "2018-02-03T22:43:43Z")
**Timbuk3,** though they later added a fourth member. At their height they were in the movie **DOA** with Quaid and Ryan, playing “Too Much Sex, Not Enough Affection” but they’re probably best known for “The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades.” The Black Eyed Peas up until they added Fergie (who many forget was a member before going solo). ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/51 "2018-02-03T23:20:45Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > The greatest Welsh metal band ever: Budgie! > > To be sure, that’s a minor distinction, like “Greatest Female Nose Tackle” or “Greatest Japanese Power Forward.” Damn, it took that long for the biggest thing since powdered milk to be mentioned? How sad. ---
**Author:** ![Flare4roach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7cd45c/32.png) [@Flare4roach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flare4roach)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/52 "2018-02-04T16:07:09Z")
Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush were a 3 piece for a long time. Occasionally Frank’s brother Vincent would play along with them as rhythm guitarist. ---
**Author:** ![Dante\_1111](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a587f6/32.png) [@Dante\_1111](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante_1111)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/53 "2018-02-04T19:13:48Z")
Opal: David Roback (Rain Parade), Kendra Smith (Dream Syndicate), Keith Mitchell (Green On Red). Awesome neo-psychedelia! One of the favorite “local” LA bands from my teens. Wore out my Happy Nightmare Baby cassette a few times. After Kendra left, went on to become Mazzy Star when Hope Sandoval replaced her on vox. Sent from my XT1045 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2018, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/54 "2018-02-05T04:20:58Z")
Marcy Playground, anyone heard of them? What about Cluster (Roedelius, Moebius[sup]\*[/sup], Plank)? They did do a lot of collaborations, though, so maybe it was never really a 3-person band. \*not the French guy who drew Harzac ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2018, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/55 "2018-02-05T07:30:59Z")
[The Shaggs.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQqK1CjE9bA&t=5s) You know the drill. Rapeman OTTG:p Hate Eternal Ed Hall Bitch Magnet Soy:p Bastro Krisiun can’t remember if pre-Harrison Talking Heads were mentioned Blind Idiot God fantastic band from Sweden called Nasum whose guitarist/founder sadly perished in the Indian Ocean tsunami. Nomeansno Victims Family Rhythm Pigs Another 10 minutes this list would be twice as long so I’ll just ease up, with the hopes there won’t be any coming-up threads with 4-member bands.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Egnu\_Cledge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/34f0e0/32.png) [@Egnu\_Cledge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Egnu_Cledge)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2018, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/56 "2018-02-05T12:54:20Z")
> [@Dante\_1111](#): > > Opal: David Roback (Rain Parade), Kendra Smith (Dream Syndicate), Keith Mitchell (Green On Red). Awesome neo-psychedelia! One of the favorite “local” LA bands from my teens. Wore out my Happy Nightmare Baby cassette a few times. I _love_ Opal. Have you heard their [Early Recordings](https://youtu.be/XBJGjmDmGAI) compilations? Possibly even better than the album. Check out _Lisa’s Funeral_ and _Cherry Jam_. ---
**Author:** ![Egnu\_Cledge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/34f0e0/32.png) [@Egnu\_Cledge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Egnu_Cledge)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2018, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/57 "2018-02-05T14:39:15Z")
[Datblygu](https://youtu.be/XN6Yi4oo4as) Weirdo DIY punk, in Welsh! [The Homosexuals](https://youtu.be/vgPoHUajcY4) [Dead Moon](https://youtu.be/J2nOGbgP0VQ) (see also, [The Rats](https://youtu.be/rftCgowY_P4) and [Pierced Arrows](https://youtu.be/cWET3z8iVjE)) [Deee-Lite](https://youtu.be/tNYxCqtVvcg) [De La Soul](https://youtu.be/dLBx3g8cowY) [The Dodos](https://youtu.be/brGHyx163pg) [The Tunnel Runners](https://youtu.be/m0fwvfxP4nE) [Dreamend](https://youtu.be/q0LwHem7rdE) [Drinking Electricity](https://youtu.be/QBjHqOmDBEw) [Dusk to Dawn](https://youtu.be/390h1VrLrdM) ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/58 "2018-02-12T00:11:13Z")
From the 80’s revival until Davy Jones died, the Monkees was usually the trio of Mickey, Peter, and Davy. Mike was usually too busy to join in, tho there were a few times. ---
**Author:** ![Lorne\_Armstrong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@Lorne\_Armstrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorne_Armstrong)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2018, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/59 "2018-02-18T06:27:43Z")
Jethro Tull in the late '80s: Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, David Pegg. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2018, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028/60 "2018-02-18T12:51:12Z")
Peter, Paul and Mary (mentioned upthread) had two incarnations, one lasting nine years and the other 31; there was an eight year break. ZZ Top (also mentioned upthread) has been a stable trio since 1973, and had existed in some form for four years prior to that. Oh! Did anyone mention the Roches? They performed mostly as a trio from 1976 until last year, when Maggie died [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-with-just-three-members/808028.md?page=4)