Rock music has schismatically fractured itself almost from the beginning: Blues rock vs. Rockabilly, mods vs. rockers, radio-friendly vs. psychedelic, punk vs. metal, and numerous sub-categories that made MTV eat itself in the late 90s.
Today, most popular new bands seem to self-identify as “pop.” It seems “Rock n Roll” has unwanted baggage, like “vegan” or “feminist”; people are on board with the general concept, but it has accrued unfortunate dogma that its practitioners are distancing itself from.
What new and current bands proudly call themselves Rock n Roll these days, without a lot of qualifiers and asterisks?
Lemmy always insisted that Motörhead was simply a rock and roll band.
I would nominate both Halestorm and Nothing More. Not sure if they are new enough, though.
Definitely not pop.
Are you specific looking for “Rock N Roll” or would just “Rock” work? I feel like there’s plenty of bands that would consider themselves rock bands. But the phrase “rock n roll” just isn’t really that common any more.
Good call!
I’m not sure I differentiate between the two, although some people make a passionate distinction I never quite understood. “Rock n Roll” has the connotation of noble road warriors forever on tour, playing for the fans, in spite of dismal sales and critical opprobrium. “Rock” implies comfortable, successful, corporate bands with no snob appeal. It’s kind of the difference between the Who before Tommy and the Who after Who Are You?
Anyway, yes, I’ll take Rock for this question.
The Moody Blues.
You can call yourself Rock and Roll, but don’t expect anyone to believe you.