Fan poll: 5 alternative artists who deserve a Grammy nomination

No matter the year, the Grammys are always contentious, and last week the nominations rolled in for the 67th annual iteration. There were lots from the alternative orbit up for consideration, including Green Day’s Saviors, the hardcore collaboration between Knocked Loose and Poppy, Fontaines D.C.’s Romance (plus their hip-hop-inspired song “Starburster”), and more. Now that this year’s list is finalized, we asked our readers to vote on the alternative artists who deserve a Grammy nomination. Find the top fan picks ranked below.

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5. Fall Out Boy

For as wide as Fall Out Boy’s sound has grown since their early days in Chicago’s underground DIY scene, it’s surprising that they have only been nominated for two Grammys. The band got one in 2006 for Best New Artist, and M A N I A’s bagged another in 2019 for Best Rock Album. Fall Out Boy have done a lot since then, including releasing their expansive LP So Much (For) Stardust, a slew of theatric music videos, and a collaboration with Taylor Swift. It’s only a matter of time before they score a proper victory.

4. Pierce the Veil

While Pierce the Veil have never received a Grammy nomination, their 2023 album, The Jaws of Life, proves they’re on the path. The band returned after seven years with a brand-new perspective and sound, which led to opening a stadium tour for the reunited blink-182. “The ambition was to feel that uncomfortable feeling again,” Vic Fuentes told us earlier this year. “It’s the first record where we’ve gone in and not known exactly what we would be doing or where it would go.” Given their fresh direction, it seems likely that they’ll be up for a nomination at some point.

3. Waterparks

Waterparks have always stayed tremendously busy, whether that’s through conceptual albums, memoirs, or devising streetwear for bandleader Awsten Knight’s clothing brand hii-def. In terms of music, though, the experimental pop trio have never been nominated for a Grammy, and readers think that needs to change. Though they had some eligible releases this year, including their reimagined INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY cut “FAI2” with Zeph, it won’t be long before the band drop another project or viral single, so there’s plenty of time for them to get their due.

2. twenty one pilots

twenty one pilots’ Clancy was eligible for a nomination this year but was overwhelmed by other heavyweights. It feels like a shame, too, given that the album wraps up the mind-warping story that the duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun have been building out for the past several years, brimming with painstaking detail. The first and last time that the duo were nominated (and won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Stressed Out”) was 2017, so it is definitely time for another nomination.

1. My Chemical Romance

If you know our readers, you won’t be surprised that My Chemical Romance won the top spot. Surprisingly (or not so much depending on your view of the award show), the emo veterans have only ever been up for one Grammy. In 2008, their beloved concept album, The Black Parade (which the band will tour in full next year), was nominated for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package but lost to the What It Is!: Funky Soul and Rare Grooves (1967–1977) comp. The band will need to release something else to be eligible, and given how immense their upcoming tour feels, a live album would be the perfect contender.