Blur Members, Gear & Sound

UK alternative rock band

Genre

Rock Electronica Alternative rock Pop rock Pop music Indie rock Britpop Art rock Indie pop Modern rock Shoegazing Madchester Chamber pop permanent wave dance rock

Members

Select a Blur band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Graham Coxon

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

The Jaded Hearts Club The WAEVE Circus Seymour

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Damon Albarn

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Keyboardist Music Producer

Groups:

Gorillaz The Good, the Bad & the Queen Monkey Circus Damon Albarn & Michael Nyman Afel Bocoum, Damon Albarn, Toumani Diabaté, Ko Kan Ko Sata Damon Albarn & Einar Örn Benediktsson Rocket Juice & the Moon DRC Music The Heavy Seas Electric Wave Bureau Seymour

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Alex James

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Bad Lieutenant Wigwam Fat Les Me me me Seymour

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Mike Smith

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer

Groups:

Limp Bizkit Gorillaz Jamiroquai Snot The Dave Clark Five Amen Corner Brand New Heavies The Good, the Bad & the Queen Leeland Paul Revere and The Raiders theSTART The Ailerons

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Dave Rowntree

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Circus Seymour The Ailerons

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About

Blur is an iconic English rock band originating from London, formed in 1988. The group consists of Damon Albarn (vocals, keyboards), Graham Coxon (guitar, backing vocals), Alex James (bass), and Dave Rowntree (drums). Blur is celebrated for their eclectic fusion of genres including Britpop, alternative rock, indie rock, and art rock, and played a pivotal role in the Britpop movement of the 1990s. Known for their ever-evolving sound and cultural commentary, the band has released numerous albums that have cemented their place as one of the most influential British bands of the last few decades.

How to Sound Like Blur

Blur’s sound is characterized by a blend of melodic and rhythmic complexity, often intertwining catchy hooks with intricate guitar work. Graham Coxon’s guitar style is a defining element, typically featuring jangly, bright tones created through guitars like the Squier Telecaster and 1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Reissue. Coxon frequently uses a Pro Co RAT 2 distortion pedal, which contributes to the gritty, textured layers prominent in their tracks. The band’s unique sound also incorporates experimental elements and electronic influences, underscored by Damon Albarn’s use of synthesizers like the Teenage Engineering OP-1 Portable Synthesizer. These components come together to create a sonic palette that is both dynamic and atmospheric, appealing to musicians seeking to explore the intersections of rock and electronic music.

Discography

Leisure

1991

Modern Life Is Rubbish

1993

Parklife

1994

The Great Escape

1995

Blur

1997

Bustin' + Dronin'

1998

1999

Think Tank

2003

All the People... Blur Live at Hyde Park 03/07/2009

2009

All the People... Blur Live at Hyde Park 02/07/2009

2009

Parklive (Live)

2012

Live At The Budokan

2014

The Magic Whip

2015

The Ballad of Darren

2023

Live at Wembley Stadium

2024

Get the Blur Sound

Want to sound like Blur? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.