The Groove

The greatest post-punk artists of all time

76 artists ranked by the Groove — music.nw’s own measure of renown. Not an opinion, a fact computed from the record. Why?

No. 1

Joy Division

United Kingdom · 1978–1980 · post-punk

26.535

Why this number?

The full board · page 3

49 Television

United States of America · 1973–2023 · rock 0.660

50 Héroes del Silencio

Spain · 1984–1996 · hard rock 0.630

The Cranberries

Ireland · 1989–2019 · alternative rock 0.607

Faith No More

United States of America · 1983–2021 · alternative rock 0.590

53 Adam and the Ants

United Kingdom · 1977–1982 · new wave 0.548

54 Perturbator

France · 1993– · darksynth 0.543

10,000 Maniacs

United States of America · 1981– · folk rock 0.531

56 Manic Street Preachers

United Kingdom · 1986– · alternative rock 0.514

INXS

Australia · 1977–2012 · rock 0.500

58 Soda Stereo

Argentina · 1982–2007 · rock 0.475

59 Big Black

United States of America · 1982–1987 · post-hardcore 0.453

60 Adam Ant

United Kingdom · 1954– · new wave 0.436

61 Elvis Costello & The Attractions

United Kingdom · 1977–1996 · rock 0.424

62 The Replacements

United States of America · 1979–1991 · alternative rock 0.385

63 Pretenders

United Kingdom · 1978– · new wave 0.356

Red Hot Chili Peppers

United States of America · 1983– · alternative rock 0.348

65 Danny Brown

United States of America · 1981– · hip hop 0.334

66 The Jesus Lizard

United States of America · 1987– · indie rock 0.317

67 Pulp

United Kingdom · 1978– · britpop 0.309

68 XTC

United Kingdom · 1976–2006 · new wave 0.300

69 Talk Talk

United Kingdom · 1981–1991 · post-rock 0.299

70 The Sugarcubes

Iceland · 1986–1992 · alternative rock 0.295

71 The Smile

United Kingdom · 2021– · rock 0.284

72 The Cult

United Kingdom · 1983– · hard rock 0.284