French punk rock also appeared, including bands like Starshooter, Stinky Toys, Asphalt Jungle, Electric Callas, Oberkampf and Métal Urbain.
French progressive rock continued in the 1980s in relative obscurity, with the bands Dün, Minimum Vital, Terpandre and Emeraude achieving some underground success (but were met with critical indifference).
The new wave was dominated by Indochine, who sold enormously, as well as the romantic Alain Chamfort, overshadowing the works of critical darlings Taxi Girl or Jacno, but the genre also later saw the emergence of Étienne Daho, who would remain a major figure in French music up to this day.
The post-punk scene, although commercially unsuccessful, also featured critically acclaimed acts, such as Marquis de Sade, Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine, Orchestre rouge or Kas Product.
The art rock band Les Rita Mitsouko enjoyed international success, while the decade also saw the emergence of Alain Bashung, who had been around since the 1960s but only started to have his first hits in the new wave era.
The 1990s, still dominated by Bashung's aura and output (including Osez Joséphine and the major classic Fantaisie militaire), also saw the emergence of Noir Désir (their first classic album, Veuillez rendre l'âme (à qui elle appartient) dated back from the late 80s), whose sound fitted well in the grunge movement, and their 1992 album Tostaky was a huge popular and critical success, still selling solidly decades after its release.
French rock was dominated by punk (No One Is Innocent), funk (-M-, FFF, Sinclair) and Noir Désir-soundalikes like Aston Villa or Saez (a trend which would continue in the 2000s with Luke, Eiffel or Déportivo, for instance).
On the indie rock scene, Dionysos would become extremely popular with their hit Song for Jedi from their best-seller Western sous la neige, while other acts like A.S. Dragon or Ultra Orange would have more confidential success.
Following in the footsteps of their big brothers from the 70s, some militant and/or culturalist groups like Les Ramoneurs de Menhir and Matmatah also enjoyed great success, particularly in their region of origin, French Brittany.