I've been into Rock Power Trios lately. ZZ Top, Rush, SRV, The Winery Dogs, Green Day, Kings X, Motorhead, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, and a few others. I like knowing that three individuals can make that great, space-filling rock sound. The truth is that a power trio is pretty much the same as most 4 member bands, except one guy is singing AND playing. Unfortunately sometimes, one of those will suffer, but the groups above make it work.

I don't really have a preference over how many people are in a band, but I like to see 3 guys do what it takes other bands 4 guys to do. I also like two guitars done right, which takes at least 4 or 5 guys.

Another cool thing about a power trio is scheduling and money. Its easier and there's more per person.

Two man bands are cool, but that pretty much comes down to distorted guitar with loud drums for every song. Not enough variety.

By the way, Spider-Man is not a real band, but the cartoon from the 80s was an awesome power trio of super heroes.

I'm with you, something about a 3 person band impresses me.

I'll add Muse to the list.

King's X always tops my list because all three of them sing (well) and they don't trigger any samples live. Not that there's anything wrong with that (said the rabid Rush fan).

BTW, Jerry Gaskill has another solo album coming out soon. The first single is absolutely awesome.

Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream

Rush and Cream. Both had (man it hurts to say "had" with Rush) Mt. Rushmore level musicians in Lee and Peart (Lifeson is no slouch but the Hall of Very Very Good is not Mt. Rushmore) and Clapton and Baker (Bruce was closer to the top on bass than Lifeson on guitar but still not quite there).

Correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't Green Day had a fourth member for a while? Not officially but he plays on their albums and t live shows.

Nir-van-a!!!

Triumph

Blink-182, they don't set the world on fire musically, but they joke about girls and dicks the whole time, and provide me with music that resonates with the angst in my inner teenager from the 2000's.

You're referring to live performances, right? Lots of power trios use multiple overdubs on their albums.

The original Gov't Mule lineup was a trio and they recorded the first two albums live in the studio with no edits or overdubs.

Most trios (well, pretty much all bands) will have extra recorded parts on albums, but if they can pull the songs off live, I'll give them full credit.

How come there are no Country & Western trios? There are a few guys who could get away with it because they can actually sing and play more than three open chords. Brad Paisley, Zach Brown. Didn't Johnny Cash start out as a trio with the "Tennessee Two"?

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By the way, Spider-Man is not a real band, but the cartoon from the 80s was an awesome power trio of super heroes.

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Another cool thing about a power trio is scheduling and money. Its easier and there's more per person.

Two man bands are cool, but that pretty much comes down to distorted guitar with loud drums for every song. Not enough variety.

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i wonder about the economics of a 2 man band like the black keys, who only have 2 official members to share in all of the money and then they just pay the 2 musicians who play bass/2nd guitar/keyboards a touring salary.

These days it can often be more beneficial to be a paid touring member depending on the band.

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Most trios (well, pretty much all bands) will have extra recorded parts on albums, but if they can pull the songs off live, I'll give them full credit.

How come there are no Country & Western trios? There are a few guys who could get away with it because they can actually sing and play more than three open chords. Brad Paisley, Zach Brown. Didn't Johnny Cash start out as a trio with the "Tennessee Two"?

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Country music is for women and they generally could give two ****s about musicianship.

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Most trios (well, pretty much all bands) will have extra recorded parts on albums, but if they can pull the songs off live, I'll give them full credit.

How come there are no Country & Western trios? There are a few guys who could get away with it because they can actually sing and play more than three open chords. Brad Paisley, Zach Brown. Didn't Johnny Cash start out as a trio with the "Tennessee Two"?

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Country music is for women and they generally could give two ****s about musicianship.

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stupid women.

Grand Funk Railroad
SRV and Double Trouble

A seven nation army can't hold back a 2 member band

These guys were pretty good

Just remembered a severely underrated trio: the Eric Gales Band. Their debut album was fierce.

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A seven nation army can't hold back a 2 member band

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Royal Blood is another good 2 member band.

Now I don't know a whole lot about music or instruments, but I do know the singer plays bass, but it does not sound like a bass. Don't know what that's all about, but it sounds good..

Bob Marley and the Wailers
Genesis (Phil Collins years)

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These guys were pretty good

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Whoa, I didn't know Nick Saban was in The Police!

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By the way, Spider-Man is not a real band, but the cartoon from the 80s was an awesome power trio of super heroes.

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I never noticed it before but are all 3 of those actors left-handed?

likely a reverse image. martin plays banjo right handed.

Jeff The Brotherhood is a pretty good 2 piece band. However, they have expanded their line-up recently.

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I'm with you, something about a 3 person band impresses me.

I'll add Muse to the list.

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muse has had a fourth member (and very important to their live sound) for many years now.

I've been in cover bands for about a decade. Three 5-pieces, several 4 pieces, and a trio. The trio was sooo much fun. As the only guitar, I could do what I want.
We were a 'super' power trio, in that we all sang lead and backup/harmonies almost equally. In a 4 hour night, bass player and myself would sing ~ 15 songs and drummer sang about 10. I've honestly never seen another band with that line up/dynamic, locally or famous.

Another strong vote for Triumph. Rik Emmitt is still an amazing guitar player.

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Bob Marley and the Wailers
Genesis (Phil Collins years)

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Bob Marley and the Wailers were only a trio in their early years before they were famous.