This week, I’m joined by guest curators Jason Whissell of It’s Not That Bad and There Can Only Be One and Sean Faust to build a playlist celebrating one of rock music’s most powerful formations: the three-piece band.

From thunderous power trios to riff-driven rock groups, we’re digging into 20 iconic musical trios that prove you don’t need a huge lineup to make a massive sound. With just guitar, bass, and drums (and a singer doing double duty), these bands reshaped rock, punk, alternative, and classic rock by relying on chemistry, dynamics, and pure musical firepower.

What makes a great rock trio? Is it the ability to fill space, the tension between instruments, or the freedom that comes from having nowhere to hide? We talk through all of it while curating a playlist packed with legendary songs, essential deep cuts, and defining moments from some of the most influential three-piece bands of all time.

If only mixtapes had three sides…

🎙️ Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review to help more music fans find the show! Then, scroll down to hear all of the songs discussed in this episode. 👇

Urge Overkill – Sister Havanah

Digable Planets – Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)

Primus – Over The Electric Grapevine

Silverchair – Emotion Sickness

Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Tarkus

Genesis – That’s All

Stray Cats – Stray Cat Strut

Kings X – Shot Of Love

The Police – Message In A Bottle

Green Day – HItchin’ A Ride

Blue Murder – We All Fall Down

Motörhead – Ace Of Spades

The Tea Party – Paint It Black

Cypress Hill – Rock Superstar

Beastie Boys – Sabotage

Against The Current – Silent Stranger

Paramore – Hard Times

Jimi Hendrix Experience – Fire

Better Than Ezra – King Of New Orleans

Nirvana – Something In The Way

Rush – La Villa Strangiato

Disney DTV Music Video For The Stray Cats – Stray Cat Strut

The Chicks – Ace of Spades (Motörhead Cover)