For the software created by Apple, see GarageBand

Garage band is a general term for startup bands, often consisting of teenagers and twenty-somethings. The term is derived from the phenomenon of startup bands literally playing in the garages of houses. As the term became more common, bands that did not play in a garage, but in similar locations like basements and attics were considered garage bands.

Few garage bands ever reach superstardom or ever sign a record deal . In fact, many people form and join garage bands for reasons other than trying to pursue a career in music, including enjoyment playing music or to spend time with their friends.

Many famous bands started as garage bands, for example Metallica has remained proud of their garage roots over the years, and has released albums titled Garage Days Re-Revisited and Garage Inc.

While garage bands commonly play garage rock, many genres yield garage bands. The popularity of this term caused Apple Computer to call their home music composing software GarageBand.