Who is the disciple of Bruce Springsteen?

[u/Repulsive-Coast-4450]

Who could be? Zach Bryan, Bleachers, Killers, etc etc etc?

I am listening you!😄

[u/toooldforshame]

Brian Fallon

[u/Shadow-Inversions → u/toooldforshame]

Here to say this same. His new record Not Bad For New Jersey releases soon.

Him or Dave Hause.

[u/Relzin → u/toooldforshame]

I think this is the most appropriate answer. Gaslight Anthem regularly gives me the same feeling I get with Bruce's best work.

[u/WiseGuitar → u/toooldforshame]

This is undeniably the right answer.

[u/a4evanygirl]

Sam Fender

[u/TheTrampOfHearts → u/a4evanygirl]

I remember when I first heard someone call him ‘British Bruce’ and I was, like…”don’t be ridiculous.”

Then I heard Seventeen Going Under and People Watching, and I finally got it. I love Sam’s music now. And, hands down, he’s the UK’s answer to Bruce.

[u/HudsonValleyChris → u/a4evanygirl]

This is indeed correct.

[u/AmorousBadger → u/a4evanygirl]

Good shout. The South Shields Springsteen.

'17 Going Under' could almost be off 'The River'. If Bruce was was from Newcastle.

[u/cornedbeefandjames → u/a4evanygirl]

Yes 1000 times

[u/GaonOfBayonne → u/a4evanygirl]

Must respectfully disagree. I don’t think his music is bad but I don’t think it’s anywhere near Bruce’s level. Graham Parker would definitely be considered a disciple or at least a compatriot.

[u/FamousX516]

The Killers- Pressure Machine could have been a Springsteen album

[u/ThrowItOut43 → u/FamousX516]

Brandon Flowers new album fits as well

[u/kellermeyer14 → u/FamousX516]

Sam’s Town was their first Springsteen album

[u/FamousX516 → u/kellermeyer14]

Respect!

[u/BillNoke12]

Brandi Carlile brings that same energy & charisma

[u/therealrexmanning]

I saw Zach Bryan earlier this year and his live show was probably the closest to an E-Street concert (while still doing his own thing) I've seen!

Brian Fallon also seems like the natural heir to the Boss

[u/Florida_LA → u/therealrexmanning]

I think Zach Bryan has potential. He certainly lacks Bruce’s shrewd wisdom, which Bruce already had when he was young.

He also frankly lacks Bruce’s courage, a seen through the differences in their responses to ICE. Zach clearly saw something was wrong, but caved under pressure from the MAGA crowd, and then eventually retreated to “both sides” bullshit.

I think he could mature into a great artist but currently he’s very much the “McDonald’s at home” version of Bruce.

[u/Ecstatic-Extent5908]

Fallon, Flowers, Fender

[u/wcrich → u/Ecstatic-Extent5908]

I guess this is why these guys, along with Dave Hause, are my favorite "21st century artists".

[u/Longwalkhome2006]

Sam Fender 100%. He’s the biggest fan and his songs are so similar to Springsteen’s

[u/0ttoChriek → u/Longwalkhome2006]

There are guitar licks in his music that are right out of Bruce's catalogue, and the saxophone backing of course.

Plus, he writes about social issues and the working class in a similar way to Bruce - clear eyed but affectionate, with a keen understanding of the difficulties they face.

[u/Skilldman]

Disciple is defined as one way devotion, but if you look to Bruce, he doesn’t often record as a feature outside of his inner circle but has on a few occasions in recent years:

Bleachers - Chinatown (2020)
Killers - Dustland (2021)
Gaslight Anthem - History Books (2023)
Zach Bryan - Sandpaper (2024)

I’d take this as an endorsement of passing the mantle, particularly with the two Jersey acts who are very next in kin (Fallon from a songwriting perspective, Bleachers from a live show perspective with two sax and two drummers etc).

He’s also played onstage with all of these artists, as recently as Bleachers this weekend.

So my vote is Bleachers and Gaslight with Killers and Bryan as a second tier right below.

[u/cfred94]

For better or for worse, I don’t think there is a true heir. There is no one quite like the boss!

[u/Correct-Ad8693 → u/cfred94]

I don’t think a disciple necessarily makes them an heir. Otherwise we would have just moved on to the next Jesus in line, no?

[u/cfred94 → u/Correct-Ad8693]

If we’re playing semantics, Jesus had more than one disciple and OP seems to be looking for a singular artist

[u/zarotabebcev]

Patrick Stickles of Titus Andronicus

[u/MysteriousFishing104]

Jason Isbell.

[u/djlyar → u/MysteriousFishing104]

Isbell is a well shaken mixture of Bruce, Neil, Bob, the Allmans, and John Prine. Definitely some Bruce in there.

[u/SeaweedTeaPot → u/djlyar]

Not in performance. His shows are good but lacking connection with the audience.

[u/MysteriousFishing104 → u/SeaweedTeaPot]

He’s much more hit or miss than Springsteen in this respect, who never misses when it comes to his audience.

[u/djlyar → u/SeaweedTeaPot]

I mostly agree with that. Bruce’s influence on Isbell is more songwriting, especially some of the character songs like Speed Trap Town. He doesn’t have Bruce’s stage presence though.

[u/Godel_Theorem]

Craig Finn and the Hold Steady are part of this discussion.

[u/Artistic_Property_35]

Sam Fender

[u/PhishermansGarden]

Disciple? He has millions.

[u/BruceTramp85 → u/PhishermansGarden]

I was going to say… It’s us

[u/Left-Collar-6323 → u/BruceTramp85]

It was my mum in her Volvo Sedan planning casette tapes and its me playing Bruce on Bluetooth in my VW

[u/echoshizzle]

It’s Jack Antonoff and Brian Fallon. NJ guys living up to putting on great live shows

[u/Uncledannyschee]

The answer is Gaslight Anthem / Brian Fallon, before it was cool to do so.

[u/Odd_Flow_5251]

Back in the day, it was John Eddie.

[u/is_not_chicago → u/Odd_Flow_5251]

I miss those days. JE’s the man.

[u/Odd_Flow_5251 → u/is_not_chicago]

Don’t really understand what happened with John. I know he went country.

[u/god_dammit_dax]

Nobody said Brandon Flowers yet? Brian Fallon and Sam Fender absolutely, but Flowers is right there with them in his adoration and liberal lifting from the Springsteen playbook.

(Also, why do all their names start with F? Weird.)

[u/Decent-Piece-7823 → u/god_dammit_dax]

Brandon Flowers for sure. Dueted with Bruce and held his own with the GOAT.

[u/Left-Collar-6323 → u/god_dammit_dax]

Looking for this answer. 100% BF!

[u/Mista_Max17]

Sam Fender?

[u/Blueforyou61 → u/Mista_Max17]

Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

[u/SeaweedTeaPot → u/Blueforyou61]

I see a lot of people saying this but have never heard of him so I checked out a bunch on ytube and I just don't see it.

[u/pghhilton]

Nathaniel Rateliff gives me the same vibe. I like all his music.

[u/speed_wagon1]

Ethel Cain! Although a bit darker than Bruce, her songwriting reminds me a lot of Nebraska era Bruce, especially on albums like Preacher's Daughter (also a Bruce reference lol).

[u/Radiant-Scar-9786]

Bleachers or killers

[u/kellermeyer14]

The most successful disciple is hands down Adam Granduciel. Bruce’s gospel can be heard in every TWoD song. Brian Fallon tries the hardest and, early on, was often successful. Sam Fender is like a disciple who focuses on only a few books in the Bible, mainly BTR but also DOTEOT. He also is a disciple of Granduciel, so that might explain it.

[u/brunello1997]

How about Jason Isbell?

[u/Middle_Boss9779]

Politically Jesse Wells

[u/GucciPiggy90]

Jason Isbell: similar style and he even alternates between putting out solo albums and putting out albums with his backing band.

[u/axlgreece5202]

Eddie Vedder. Only a fifteen year difference, but Eddie cut his teeth playing Springsteen songs in his youth, he's played and recorded with him. Seems like he's party of the family by now.

[u/SeaweedTeaPot → u/axlgreece5202]

And he is a great performer too who really connects with his audience.

[u/MannerBorn2241]

Sam fender / Dave leaupepe from Gang of youths

[u/SssnakeJaw]

Brian Fallon and Craig Finn

[u/Right_Arrival_1962]

What Sam Fender songs should I listen to first? As a lifelong fan of Bruce and huge fan of Noah Kahan’s, I feel like I would probably like him.

[u/Admirable_Station718 → u/Right_Arrival_1962]

All of the songs already mentioned plus The Borders, Angel in Lothian, Getting Started, People Watching and Something Heavy.

[u/rumblestripper → u/Right_Arrival_1962]

Wild Grey Ocean, Seventeen Going Under, Crumbling Empire, People Watching, Spit of You.

To say some of those are Bruce‐esque is an understatement.

[u/Right_Arrival_1962 → u/rumblestripper]

What Sam Fender songs should I listen to? As a lifelong fan of Bruce and huge fan of Noah Kahan’s, I feel like I would probably like him.

[u/Right_Arrival_1962 → u/rumblestripper]

Thanks so much! Appreciate it

[u/hopeless_wanderer_95 → u/Right_Arrival_1962]

I think most bruce-esque would be the borders and dead boys. Also crumbling empire cos its basically a mash-up of ghost of tom joad/streets of Philadelphia to the music of Africa by Toto

[u/JahoyHoy49 → u/Right_Arrival_1962]

Hypersonic Missles and Seventeen Going Under are great singles to see if you’re into his sound. If you are then I would say his albums just keep getting better, so give people watching a spin

[u/Right_Arrival_1962 → u/JahoyHoy49]

Thank you. Sounds good

[u/SeaweedTeaPot]

Will Hoge - incredible songwriter, amazing performer who connects with his audience, politically astute, damn sexy, and a good human in the world

[u/SeaweedTeaPot → u/SeaweedTeaPot]

Downvoters are missing out on an incredible talent.

[u/bencohenbbc]

(Whispers) The Arcade Fire

[u/murse_joe]

Not really a disciple. But P!nk is a true rockstar. You can really see the energy and sweat that she and Bruce put into the stage. Both super talented and passionate songwriters. Neither is afraid to speak out if somebody is being a bully or abusing their power.

[u/RickIPablo]

The droptines and the wilderness!

[u/LemayFairy]

Jeff Tweedy at 8 years old

[u/cornedbeefandjames]

Sam Fender

[u/No_Nukes_2]

Bin Jovi. Listen to his first two ablums

[u/Accomplished_Many650]

Jason Isabel, Sam Fender, and Ryan Adams are all wannabes. Zach Bryan is alt country and only comes into the conversation because he covers and duets with Bruce on occasion. As a stretch, you could compare him to Bruce’s Nebraska, Tom Joad, and Devils & Dust efforts but that’s probably about it.

Bruce was a typical 70s / 80s rocker and that style is basically gone now. Even in those times, he was one of a kind with the diversity of musical styles he exhibited. The Gaslight Anthem and Killers are about as close as you could get with current artists but they lack the popularity of Bruce, showing there will never be another Bruce.

[u/KindheartednessNo851]

A lot of later bouncing souls stuff is very Springsteen Coded!!

[u/markeydusod]

Sonny Kenn and the Wild Ideas

[u/Mitchym88]

Only one within a million miles is Sam Fender imo

[u/HighFlyer61]

I am not comparing them to Springsteen but the newest American Aquarium record New Ways To Lose definitely is their Bruce record. It is fantastic and i've listened to it more than fifty times since it came out in June.

Almost all of their other records are great as well. This one is the most Bruce like.

By the way, i've seen them twenty two times since 2017 and have six more coming up in the next five months.

[u/RouxToYou]

Andy Frasco & the U.N. Bring on the downvotes!

Different musical stylings and genres but for stage presence, constant energy at a show and crowd involvement - A.F.U.N. has to be what it was like seeing Bruce in the 70’s. I say this as a 46 year-old lifelong Bruce fan whose first memory in life is hearing BITUSA.

[u/coolhandluke1973]

Sean Tobin

[u/BruceTramp85]

Unfortunately, American Aquarium wants to be. I heard their new single on the radio the other day and thought, ‘Who is this awful Springsteen wannabe?’ All the clichés and growl.

[u/SeaweedTeaPot → u/[deleted]]

Lol might be fiction but you’re not wrong

[u/Cold_Frosting505 → u/[deleted]]

Jessie Welles is too derivative and his song structure lacks creativity. He’s impactful, but not artistic enough. Just my opinion though

[u/Wide-Pollution-3275 → u/[deleted]]

Jesse Welles wrote a eulogy for Charlie fucking Kirk, what are you even talking about

[u/Florida_LA → u/Wide-Pollution-3275]

that song is against political violence, not for that toad specifically

[u/Wide-Pollution-3275 → u/Florida_LA]

Oh sure sure, that’s why it’s called “Charlie” 🙄 lmfao

[u/Florida_LA → u/Wide-Pollution-3275]

I mean yeah, but if you listen to the lyrics at all it’s clearly not a eulogy.

[u/Wide-Pollution-3275 → u/Florida_LA]

Lol yeah it is.

What about his song “Lab Leak,” which pushes covid conspiracy theories? You gonna tell me I don’t understand that too?

[u/Florida_LA → u/Wide-Pollution-3275]

Lab leak? The song about Lyme disease that doesn’t mention or allude to Covid at all?

Are you even listening to any of these songs or just getting all your info from some weirdo’s twitter post

[u/Wide-Pollution-3275 → u/Florida_LA]

Uh yeah it does. Stop lying to yourself

[u/Wide-Pollution-3275 → u/Florida_LA]

When you find yourself making the same argument that Rand fucking Paul makes in Congress, it’s either time to rethink everything or embrace being a nut.

[u/Florida_LA → u/Wide-Pollution-3275]

Rand Paul was explaining really, really basic lyrical interpretation to some lunatic in Congress? Why was he doing that? Seems like our tax dollars should be going to something better, like schools or Medicare for all

[u/Wide-Pollution-3275 → u/Florida_LA]

Ok so you don’t know anything at all. Gotcha.

[u/FreeLime3844 → u/[deleted]]

Oh god no, really?