Love them or hate them, Radiohead are one of the most important bands of the modern era. Albums like OK Computer and In Rainbows changed music forever—but not everyone is a fan.
In fact, some big names in rock have openly criticized them. Here’s a simple look at a few of the most famous ones.
🎸 Lemmy – “That’s not rock”
Lemmy Kilmister from Motörhead didn’t hold back.
He dismissed Radiohead as not being a real rock band, calling their sound “sub-emo.”
👉 For Lemmy, rock should be loud, raw, and aggressive—Radiohead just didn’t fit.
🎤 Noel & Liam Gallagher – Constant critics
The brothers from Oasis have taken plenty of shots.
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Noel Gallagher mocked their seriousness and critical praise.
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Liam Gallagher made fun of their songwriting.
👉 Their style clashes completely with Radiohead’s—simple rock vs. experimental music.
⚡ Muse – A complicated rivalry
Muse have often been compared to Radiohead.
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Matt Bellamy denied being influenced by them.
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Thom Yorke accused Muse of copying their sound.
👉 It turned into a bit of a back-and-forth over the years.
🎹 Billy Corgan – “Too pretentious”
Billy Corgan criticized Radiohead for being overly “pomposity.”
He didn’t like how critics treated them as more important than classic rock legends.
👉 Later, though, he admitted they were ahead of their time.
🎙️ Robert Plant – Not impressed
Robert Plant reportedly once called their music “rhyming crap” in a bar.
👉 This seems more like a personal taste moment than a serious critique.
🎧 Final Thought
Radiohead’s music is different—quiet, experimental, emotional, and sometimes strange. That’s exactly why people either love them or don’t get them at all.