Photo: Press
It's astonishing to think that some of the best rock n' roll, dance, and pop music can be traced to just two key members from a band. We list those bands that defied the numbers, and became some of the best bands with just each other for company.
From newer bands like The Black Keys or The Kills, to icons of American folk Simon & Garfunkel, sometimes all you need is a vocalist, a guitar, and maybe some drums. These incredible acts remain far from being two-dimensional, have traversed the incredible creative balancing act, and continue to shape music history.
The White Stripes
Probably the most obvious entrant to this list, the duo of Jack and Meg White rose to prominence in 2002 and eventually shaped alternative rock music over the next five years - and beyond. Their lo-fidelity approach and blistering sonics took the music industry by storm. That's not forgetting the fact they produced one of the greatest songs of all time, that subsequently became one of the greatest football anthems ever.
Daft Punk
Forgive the fact that Daft Punk released 'Get Lucky', the soundtrack to your work party, your friend's party, your family's party, and your parties party - the two mysterious members helped pioneer electronic dance music. Discovery has been named on just about every respectable websites list of best ever albums, and for good reason. It's a disco, pop classic that still resonates powerfully today, and to think it was born from just two incredible minds.
The Kills
Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince have released four brilliant albums, all to great critical acclaim. And, with Ash & Ice their latest, arriving next month, they stormed through a brilliant comeback gig at Village Underground. Their particular brand of garage-rock has seen a few incarnations, but they're swagger, lyrical prowess and cutting sounds have made them a force to be reckoned with. They'll be double-sixing it for years yet to come.
Hurts
Synth-pop duo Theo Hutchcraft and Adam Anderson were formed in Manchester seven years ago, and the apparent story behind it is quite remarkable. The pair, too drunk to join in a fight their friends had started, began discussing music instead; realising they had similar tastes, they decided to start the band. Hurts' subsequent albums have been incredibly well-recieved, with their amateur video for 'Wonderful Life' going viral providing a foundation for the band to enter the pantheon of great two-piece bands.
Japandroids
The Canadian duo of Brian King and David Prowse may have only produced two albums, before disappearing into the ether, but in their wake they created some of the best rock music of modern time - I know big statement. Their wall-of-sound, dissecting lyrics, anthemic sonics and sheer ability was a call to arms for celebrating music, and seizing the day. And, if any band is worth a place on this list, then it's the incomparable Japandroids.
The Black Keys
Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney's music may have soundtracked a fair few adverts, with or without their permission, yet their now slightly more polished blues-punk does still have it's authenticity. These guys have become some of the best in the business at creating earworm guitar hooks, wailed vocals and joyous sing-alongs. It's hard to believe that it's just two guys, playing together - and it's a truly brilliant display of camaraderie, brotherhood and undeniably great music-making.
