Garbage Members, Gear & Sound

US rock band

Genre

Electronic Rock Electronica Alternative rock Alternative dance Pop rock Electronic rock permanent wave dance rock new wave pop lilith dance pop

Members

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

Justin Meldal-Johnsen

Roles:

Bassist Music Producer

Groups:

Nine Inch Nails Black Eyed Peas The Mars Volta Ladytron Loser IMA Robot Hankshaw Pet Digital Noise Academy

See Gear
Steve Marker

Roles:

Guitarist

See Gear
Butch Vig

Roles:

Drummer Music Producer

Groups:

Fire Town Spooner

See Gear
Duke Erikson

Roles:

Guitarist Music Producer

Groups:

Fire Town Spooner

See Gear
Shirley Manson

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Keyboardist

Groups:

Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie Angelfish

See Gear
Matt Walker

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

The Smashing Pumpkins Filter Cupcakes

Needs more gear

See Gear

About

Garbage is an American band renowned for their innovative blend of alternative rock, electronic, and pop. Formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1993, the group consists of Shirley Manson (vocals), Duke Erikson (guitar, keyboards), Steve Marker (guitar, keyboards), and Butch Vig (drums, production). Their music is characterized by a fusion of rock's raw energy with the synthetic textures of electronica, creating a sound that's both gritty and polished. Garbage's self-titled debut album propelled them to international fame, showcasing their ability to craft catchy yet complex tracks that resonated with a broad audience.

How to Sound Like Garbage

Garbage's sound is a dynamic tapestry of gritty guitar riffs and lush electronic textures, creating a sonic landscape that is both aggressive and melodic. Their production often features dense layers of sound, combining analog warmth with digital precision. The band's use of effects processors and samplers plays a crucial role in shaping their eclectic sound, with tools like the Line 6 Pod HD Pro offering versatile tone options. Shirley Manson's powerful, emotive vocals are often enhanced with subtle effects, while the rhythm section, driven by Butch Vig's production expertise, ensures a tight, punchy foundation. The mix of distorted guitar tones and electronic elements gives Garbage a distinctive edge, making their music both accessible and experimental.

Discography

Garbage (20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition/Remastered)

1995

Version 2.0 (The Official Remixes)

1998

Version 2.0 (20th Anniversary Edition / Remastered)

1998

Beautiful Garbage (Remastered)

2001

beautiful garbage (20th Anniversary / Deluxe)

2001

Bleed Like Me (Remastered)

2005

Not Your Kind of People

2012

Strange Little Birds

2016

Let All That We Imagine Be The Light

2025

Get the Garbage Sound

Want to sound like Garbage? 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.