NFT: Name an underrated band from the 1980's

and the Monsters

In comment 14287694 Pete from Woodstock said:

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and the Monsters

I guess they were more late 80's, 90's

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Link - ( New Window )

...absolutely loved this Icelandic band that featured Bjork - "Life's Too Good" still stands as one of my favorites from that era - they were twisted, they were weird, layering complex instrumentation and song arrangements, bizarre spoken pieces complementing Bjork - they rocked and Bjork absolutely SOARED as a vocalist. Dynamite, dynamite act.

from brooklyn

always thought they'd be more popular.

Spirit of '76 is a great song.

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In comment 14287702 pjcas18 said:

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always thought they'd be more popular. Spirit of '76 is a great song.

I was just going to say the Alarm! They've got some great tunes

...great underground band, Johnette Napolitano's deep voice and heavy handed bass playing, combined with lots of heavily reverberated hollow bodied electric guitar gave them a unique sound, and there were just a LOT of really great songs spread throughout their albums. They had a hit with 'Joey' - I think that was in the 90's though.

I think their version of "Beware of Darkness" off their first album is a fantastic interpretation of George Harrisons original.

called Enuff Z'Nuff.

They had two hits, I think. New Thing and Fly High Michelle. They looked like a bunch of chicks, and I cringe listening to it now. Hair Metal was definitely on it's way out, it was 1989 and new stuff was already around the corner.

Good memories though, of sitting on my bedroom floor with puffy headphones on and listening to tapes/cd's while playing Nintendo.

Love the ghost in you

...though they scored a hit late with "I Touch Myself", I loved this bands earlier work. They rocked balls, great, crisp guitar pieces and Chrissy Amphletts voice was unique, sexy and fun. Sad to see her pass a few years back.

In comment 14287717 x meadowlander said:

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...great underground band, Johnette Napolitano's deep voice and heavy handed bass playing, combined with lots of heavily reverberated hollow bodied electric guitar gave them a unique sound, and there were just a LOT of really great songs spread throughout their albums. They had a hit with 'Joey' - I think that was in the 90's though. I think their version of "Beware of Darkness" off their first album is a fantastic interpretation of George Harrisons original.

good one

Kidding but they are definitely an 80s band today. They are one of my favorite bands and put on an amazing show but it isn't for everybody. Very inappropriate.

Operation: Mindcrime was excellent

In comment 14287717 x meadowlander said:

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...great underground band, Johnette Napolitano's deep voice and heavy handed bass playing, combined with lots of heavily reverberated hollow bodied electric guitar gave them a unique sound, and there were just a LOT of really great songs spread throughout their albums. They had a hit with 'Joey' - I think that was in the 90's though. I think their version of "Beware of Darkness" off their first album is a fantastic interpretation of George Harrisons original.

Joey is an awesome song

...I know, not necessarily underrated - certainly well known in the industry and trade mags, but her style was too dramatic and experimental to really catch onto radio of the era.

Still, her work through the 80's stands as some of my favorite by any artist, ever - "The Dreaming" and "Hounds of Love" have remained staples in my playlists since they were released. She is one of the most ballsy, creative artists I think I ever came across.

Just noticed for the first time that David Gilmour is the backup vocal on her 'Pull Out The Pin' - amazing that I missed that. I believe he is the one who helped push and promote her early, much of her work has been covered by other artists.

Unlike most of the artists of the 80's - Kate is still producing some quality stuff. 50 Words For Snow stands up. Looking forward to her next album.

In comment 14287739 I Love Clams Casino said:

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In comment 14287717 x meadowlander said: Quote: ...great underground band, Johnette Napolitano's deep voice and heavy handed bass playing, combined with lots of heavily reverberated hollow bodied electric guitar gave them a unique sound, and there were just a LOT of really great songs spread throughout their albums. They had a hit with 'Joey' - I think that was in the 90's though. I think their version of "Beware of Darkness" off their first album is a fantastic interpretation of George Harrisons original. Joey is an awesome song

"Wendy" still can give me goosebumps. Yeah, her voice is very expressive, and they had some really great, dark melodic pieces. Joey was a great example.

I absolutely love their first album - drenched in reverb, worth a listen if you've never heard it.

Totally wild and unique hardcore funk rock rap thing going on. They had 4 albums in the 80’s that get almost no attention whatsoever and 3 of them are F’n awesome (Freaky Styley, Uplift Mofo Party Plan, Mother’s Milk)

The Vandals.

In comment 14287748 Dave in PA said:

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Totally wild and unique hardcore funk rock rap thing going on. They had 4 albums in the 80’s that get almost no attention whatsoever and 3 of them are F’n awesome (Freaky Styley, Uplift Mofo Party Plan, Mother’s Milk)

Saw them multiple times in the late 80s. Mother's Milk is still my favorite album of theirs.

...came home from college and would listen to a lot of new wave. (Long Island Station 92.7 - WLIR then WDRE)

While a bigger rock fan, these lean towards that 80s college music.

1. They Might Be Giants (kind of appropriate for this message board)
2. The Smiths
3. New Order

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Go-Go’s.

Bangles.

In comment 14287756 Greg from LI said:

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I was going to say Descendents and The Replacements but I figured they are pretty well-known.

In comment 14287713 Pete from Woodstock said:

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In comment 14287702 pjcas18 said: Quote: always thought they'd be more popular. Spirit of '76 is a great song. I was just going to say the Alarm! They've got some great tunes

It's truly astounding how this band did not become more famous. I wouldn't go so far as to call them "underrated" as they've been highly influential and Mike Peters is still out playing today. Unfortunately, Peters got a little big headed and quit the band...on stage...without telling anyone beforehand...in 1991. It seems like every song of theirs is an anthem. And their live performances...even today...are a crowd sing along. If you can find it, check out the VHI Bands Reunited show featuring them. It's fantastic. Their latest album, "Equals", was just released a few months ago and is good. Different maybe than what you expect from Peters, but good. As an aside, both he and his wife are cancer survivors. Peters since 2005.

but I did like REM a bit in the 80's.

BTW- Tesla only covered Signs, it was originally done (and was a successful single in the early 70's) by the Five Man Electrical Band.

In comment 14287770 10thAve said:

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In comment 14287756 Greg from LI said: Quote: . I was going to say Descendents and The Replacements but I figured they are pretty well-known.

Lol, the 'Mats are anything but underrated...underappreciated? Sure. But not underrated! ;>)

In comment 14287774 Poktown Pete said:

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but I did like REM a bit in the 80's. BTW- Tesla only covered Signs, it was originally done (and was a successful single in the early 70's) by the Five Man Electrical Band.

I know...I like Tesla's cover.

formed in the 70s but made it in the 80s that I always felt were underrated:
1.) The Tubes
2.) Squeeze

is absolutely fantastic BTW. Great live band too.

Underrated in the 80s; became more popular in the 90s.

In comment 14287781 Dnew15 said:

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is absolutely fantastic BTW. Great live band too.

I’ll third Big Head Todd

In comment 14287776 Jints in Carolina said:

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In comment 14287774 Poktown Pete said: Quote: but I did like REM a bit in the 80's. BTW- Tesla only covered Signs, it was originally done (and was a successful single in the early 70's) by the Five Man Electrical Band. I know...I like Tesla's cover.

It's a great tune, no matter which version you prefer :-)

is an underrated NWOFBHM band .Huge influence on Metallica .Love all their albums and they are still going strong .Accept is another one

In comment 14287785 Ssanders9816 said:

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In comment 14287781 Dnew15 said: Quote: is absolutely fantastic BTW. Great live band too. I’ll third Big Head Todd

4th. Awesome live band...and the album Magnolia is a masterpiece.

In comment 14287796 BIG FRED 1973 said:

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is an underrated NWOFBHM band .Huge influence on Metallica .Love all their albums and they are still going strong .Accept is another one

You got your balls to the wall!

In comment 14287753 YAJ2112 said:

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In comment 14287748 Dave in PA said: Quote: Totally wild and unique hardcore funk rock rap thing going on. They had 4 albums in the 80’s that get almost no attention whatsoever and 3 of them are F’n awesome (Freaky Styley, Uplift Mofo Party Plan, Mother’s Milk) Saw them multiple times in the late 80s. Mother's Milk is still my favorite album of theirs.

Lucky you. Must have been wild shows

If you get to Reykjavik, check out the "Punk Museum". It's in a former public toilet. The exhibits are in the stalls. It costs about $10, maybe $8.50 at today's fx rate. It's good for 20 or 30 minutes, but they've got some great Sugarcubes stuff going on there.

Here's Bjork at 16 or 17 years old, prior to Sugarcubes.


Bjork killing it at 16 years old - ( New Window )

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allowed to go to by myself with my buddies - 1995 - Tower Theater in PA Dave Matthews Band opened for Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Great show.

I loved that band.

Early 80s British dark new wave-ish band. Great stuff. They were overshadowed by bands like Echo and the Bunnymen (they shared a label) but their albums still really hold up today.

Several come to mind:

The Godfathers
The Wonder Stuff
Dumptruck
Boomtown Rats
Del Fuegos
Hothouse Flowers
Hoodoo Gurus
The Candyskins
Mighty, Mighty Lemon Drops
Waterboys
World Party
The Church
Flesh for Lulu
Sisters of Mercy
Waxing Poetics

That's a good start off the top of my head

Boomtown Rats should be considered underrated. In the 70s maybe but not the 80s.

In comment 14287822 rnargi said:

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Several come to mind: The Godfathers The Wonder Stuff Dumptruck Boomtown Rats Del Fuegos Hothouse Flowers Hoodoo Gurus The Candyskins Mighty, Mighty Lemon Drops Waterboys World Party The Church Flesh for Lulu Sisters of Mercy Waxing Poetics That's a good start off the top of my head

It’s either mighty mighty bosstones (one of my favorite 90’s bands) or mighty lemon drops. As far as I know there is no mighty mighty lemon drops

Unless you are just making them more mightier.

In comment 14287804 GiantsUA said:

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Saw them open for DM. So so good.

Great at the time and hugely influential IMO. Not sure why they are not talked about more these days.

In comment 14287822 rnargi said:

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Several come to mind: The Godfathers The Wonder Stuff Dumptruck Boomtown Rats Del Fuegos Hothouse Flowers Hoodoo Gurus The Candyskins Mighty, Mighty Lemon Drops Waterboys World Party The Church Flesh for Lulu Sisters of Mercy Waxing Poetics That's a good start off the top of my head

Flesh for Lulu - so underrated!

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In comment 14287837 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 14287822 rnargi said: Quote: Several come to mind: The Godfathers The Wonder Stuff Dumptruck Boomtown Rats Del Fuegos Hothouse Flowers Hoodoo Gurus The Candyskins Mighty, Mighty Lemon Drops Waterboys World Party The Church Flesh for Lulu Sisters of Mercy Waxing Poetics That's a good start off the top of my head It’s either mighty mighty bosstones (one of my favorite 90’s bands) or mighty lemon drops. As far as I know there is no mighty mighty lemon drops Unless you are just making them more mightier.

You are correct, sir...it's the "MIGHTY" Lemon drops...which reminds me, the Connells were really good, too.

In comment 14287856 cjac said:

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An all time fave...saw them in some dive club in Long Beach when I was stationed in the shipyards there back in the early 80s. Peter Case still plays and I "believe" he has something relatively new with a new band...can't remember the name.

Corrosion of Conformity

I think were overshadowed by Elvis Costello.
His 78 album was critically acclaimed but I think he largely fell off the popularity charts. Always been a fan.

In comment 14287867 rnargi said:

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saw them in some dive club in Long Beach when I was stationed in the shipyards there back in the early 80s.

The Foothill, most likely. Great memories of that place.

In comment 14287872 Number17 said:

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I think were overshadowed by Elvis Costello. His 78 album was critically acclaimed but I think he largely fell off the popularity charts. Always been a fan.

+1 Absolutely, saw him in concert in the city once great show highlighted by a great version of ABC by the Jackson 5< believe it or not!

In comment 14287774 Poktown Pete said:

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but I did like REM a bit in the 80's. BTW- Tesla only covered Signs, it was originally done (and was a successful single in the early 70's) by the Five Man Electrical Band.

80's REM is just incredible. The REM station on Pandora is a constant on my feed.

In comment 14287871 Greg from LI said:

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Corrosion of Conformity

Animosity is a great album from their early days

my favorite band for about 5 years. Their "Still in Hollywood" album of live tracks and B-sides is still in my regular rotation.

If you're into reverb and big guitar sound, check out the first My Bloody Valentine album.

In comment 14287744 x meadowlander said:

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...I know, not necessarily underrated - certainly well known in the industry and trade mags, but her style was too dramatic and experimental to really catch onto radio of the era. Still, her work through the 80's stands as some of my favorite by any artist, ever - "The Dreaming" and "Hounds of Love" have remained staples in my playlists since they were released. She is one of the most ballsy, creative artists I think I ever came across. Just noticed for the first time that David Gilmour is the backup vocal on her 'Pull Out The Pin' - amazing that I missed that. I believe he is the one who helped push and promote her early, much of her work has been covered by other artists. Unlike most of the artists of the 80's - Kate is still producing some quality stuff. 50 Words For Snow stands up. Looking forward to her next album.

+1 !!!!

So I'm not the only American that's heard of her ! I lived in Japan in the early 80's. She was a sensation over there. In addition to her great voice and wonderful songs, the music videos she did were among the best I've ever seen. Did you ever see "Cloudbursting" ? It literally made me cry.

Queensryche - yes, operation mindcrime was amazing

Triumph - such an awesome under rated Canadian band

REO Speedwagon - they were around much earlier than the 80s. However, they made their mark in the 80s and were essentially an 80s band. Saw them 2 years ago at a private show.

Type O Negative - very late 80s and maybe should be considered more of a 90s band. However, very under rated.

In comment 14287929 Ron from Ninerland said:

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In comment 14287744 x meadowlander said: Quote: ...I know, not necessarily underrated - certainly well known in the industry and trade mags, but her style was too dramatic and experimental to really catch onto radio of the era. Still, her work through the 80's stands as some of my favorite by any artist, ever - "The Dreaming" and "Hounds of Love" have remained staples in my playlists since they were released. She is one of the most ballsy, creative artists I think I ever came across. Just noticed for the first time that David Gilmour is the backup vocal on her 'Pull Out The Pin' - amazing that I missed that. I believe he is the one who helped push and promote her early, much of her work has been covered by other artists. Unlike most of the artists of the 80's - Kate is still producing some quality stuff. 50 Words For Snow stands up. Looking forward to her next album. +1 !!!! So I'm not the only American that's heard of her ! I lived in Japan in the early 80's. She was a sensation over there. In addition to her great voice and wonderful songs, the music videos she did were among the best I've ever seen. Did you ever see "Cloudbursting" ? It literally made me cry.

If I ever have to hear Kate Bush running up that fucking hill one more time, it'll be too soon and one time too many. Man I hate that song with a passion.

In comment 14287929 Ron from Ninerland said:

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+1 !!!! So I'm not the only American that's heard of her ! I lived in Japan in the early 80's. She was a sensation over there. In addition to her great voice and wonderful songs, the music videos she did were among the best I've ever seen. Did you ever see "Cloudbursting" ? It literally made me cry.

Yeah, Donald Sutherland in that vid.

There have been artists and albums that I've become completely immersed in - Kate in the 80's was all that for me, I was probably in the right stage of life, in the right season - it was because David Gilmour was on some of her tracks that I listened in the first place, and I'd say there's a common thread of the sort of a musical trip Floyd and Kate could take you on - I still enjoy bands that create in this way, going beyond simple, straight ahead Rock and Roll, trying to pull us deep inside ourselves and straight out of this world.

You've really got to have an open mind and ear though to handle the places she goes - 'Get out of my House'?!

In comment 14287948 rnargi said:

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In comment 14287929 Ron from Ninerland said:If I ever have to hear Kate Bush running up that fucking hill one more time, it'll be too soon and one time too many. Man I hate that song with a passion.

I get that - I love the song but can understand.

FWIW, I hate 'Signs' with a passion. Several on this thread love.

is another one, didn't have many albums but anything, anything and last cigarette are awesome enough to put them on the list.

a lot of these bands mentioned had limited releases.

I'd also add Pennywise and Jawbreaker.

late 80's I believe but Jawbreaker spawned the whole era of emo/punk (for better or worse) bands like the ataris, get up kids, even weezer and Pennywise led to bands like blink 182 and more.

...yeah...it's just a grating song to me. Don't really know why.

pj...I think we share a musical brain. Dramarama is another fave of mine, and they also did a Bands Reunited show that was awesome. There last album "Everybody Dies" is excellent if you can find it. I still have Vinyl on at least once a month. "Memo from Turner" is about the best cover of any song I've ever heard. Love John Easdale....he's from Jersey, too. As an aside, Chris Carter (bass player) has had a very long running radio show called "Breakfast with the Beatles" and now "Chris Carter's British Invasion" on Sirius for some time.

A-Ha was a US one-hit wonder but big time in Europe. They put out an amazing acoustic version of Take on Me a couple of years ago. It made me realize that 80s groups weren’t just a bunch of synthesizers. They could write music and lyrics and play instruments, too.

Tears for Fears had some massive success, but I’ll throw them in any way because I liked them so damn much.

In comment 14287775 rnargi said:

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In comment 14287770 10thAve said: Quote: In comment 14287756 Greg from LI said: Quote: . I was going to say Descendents and The Replacements but I figured they are pretty well-known. Lol, the 'Mats are anything but underrated...underappreciated? Sure. But not underrated! ;>)

REM and INXS were formed in the 70s as well. That blows my mind. 40 years ago.

still sounds great. they were certainly one of the more popular hair bands of that time period. they had hits up until about 1992. their other material is good if you like that kind of stuff. they just released a cd called shock.
queensryche and skid row had some good stuff too.

OMD
Erasure
General Public
Joe Jackson
Squeeze
Oingo Bongo
Psychedelic Furs
Yazoo
XTC

and ABC.

Two bands that found most of their popularity in Europe, but had some impact on the US 80's music scene. The major problem for these bands it that they never got the MTV video that put them on the US main street...

another of those 'new wave' English bands that had some impact on US charts. They did have some interesting MTV videos (Our House, Wings of a Dove) that helped boost them in the US...

but that's probably more early 90's. God Fodder is an awesome album.

REM from Document and before is awesome. Murmur is a great debut album.

In comment 14287763 bw in dc said:

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Bangles.

This has to be my pick. I loved the Bangles.

In comment 14287702 pjcas18 said:

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always thought they'd be more popular. Spirit of '76 is a great song.

Good band. I never really heard them until I got to college in 1990 when my girlfriend at the time used to play Walk Forever By My Side from their album, Strength, for me. Good album.

Thin Lizzy
Triumph
Riot
Accept
UFO

To name a few.

In comment 14287796 BIG FRED 1973 said:

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is an underrated NWOFBHM band .Huge influence on Metallica .Love all their albums and they are still going strong .Accept is another one

Just listed both these bands too. So great.

In comment 14288056 timintey said:

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but that's probably more early 90's. God Fodder is an awesome album. REM from Document and before is awesome. Murmur is a great debut album.

I'm a huge fan of both those albums (God Fodder and Murmur...Murmur is likely top 10 all-time for me).

Slint, minor threat, screaming trees, dinosaur jr n fugazi...

X their first 4 are must have must listens!!!

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from 87 - 93

Only had one album, but it is fantastic, Welcome to the Boomtown. One of the David's, Baerwald, had a couple of good solo records as well (Bedtime Stories is outstanding). Both of the David's were part of Cheryl Crow's Tuesday Night Music Club, and Ricketts wrote Leaving Las Vegas, although Crow claimed a songwriting credit for it.

I've always felt Husker Du was badly overlooked, tremendous band. I loved the Warehouse record.

eddie and the cruisers.....bennie and the jets

(Bob Mould still doing great stuff)
Dinosaur Jr
Replacements (well respected but never had the commercial success they should have)
Joe Jackson
The Smithereens
Rockpile (late 70's but Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe did great stuff in the 80s)
Los Lobos
Aztec Camera
The DBs
Don Dixon
Jason & the Scorchers
Meat Puppets
World Party

In comment 14288259 Russ in Queens, NYC said:

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I Can't Find My Mind

The Cramps were fucking great!

in addition, I generally steered clear of the mainstream music at the time (Springsteen, Boston, etc) -- but have since "rediscovered" it.

So back then, I always enjoyed listening to lesser known music. So I think these fall into the 'underrated' category.

Anyway, some of the records I bought and enjoyed back then (I still have them and listen to them! ) include:

Garland Jeffreys
Dirk Hamilton
The Sports
Genya Raven
Eurogliders
Horslips (Irish rock) - probably 5 or 6 of their albums
The Shirts (Annie Golden lead singer - from Orange is the New Black)
Dave Edmunds (his big hit 'Crawling from the Wreckage was written by Graham Parker - who I already mentioned)

Special Beat Service is my 'marooned on an island' album

Big Audio Dynamite is the other band that should have been bigger :)

...

was/is really into The Good Rats. They were from Long Island but I think had some National acclaim. I was too young to be into them but he always said they were underrated.

In comment 14288267 jurban said:

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eddie and the cruisers.....bennie and the jets

Eddie and the Cruisers = John Cafferty and the Brown Beaver Band.
Link - ( New Window )

In comment 14288376 skifaster said:

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Special Beat Service is my 'marooned on an island' album Big Audio Dynamite is the other band that should have been bigger :)

Mine also... a very close second is Meatloaf "Bat out of Hell"

I used to see the Good Rats at the venerable Fore -n- Aft in Brewster, NY many decades ago. Great live band

Was fabulous. One of the best live bands I've ever seen..

Split Enz and Ultravox come to mind

Also thought Robert Cray would be huge after Strong Persuader. Never really happened.

Great 80's band. Loved David Sylvian's voice. They influenced the New Romantics like Duran Duran quite a bit. Sylvain's solo stuff is great as well. Particularly Secrets of the Beehive.

Social Distortion

And second

Triumph
Smithereens
Tesla

In comment 14288292 kennyd said:

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(Bob Mould still doing great stuff) Dinosaur Jr Replacements (well respected but never had the commercial success they should have) Joe Jackson The Smithereens Rockpile (late 70's but Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe did great stuff in the 80s) Los Lobos Aztec Camera The DBs Don Dixon Jason & the Scorchers Meat Puppets World Party

Loved Aztec Camera! High Land Hard Rain was great. Oblivious was a monster song.

Blow Monkeys and Haircut 100 along those lines.

Oh and Heaven 17. Let Me Go rules. Great video as well

In comment 14288548 jpkmets said:

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In comment 14288292 kennyd said: Quote: (Bob Mould still doing great stuff) Dinosaur Jr Replacements (well respected but never had the commercial success they should have) Joe Jackson The Smithereens Rockpile (late 70's but Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe did great stuff in the 80s) Los Lobos Aztec Camera The DBs Don Dixon Jason & the Scorchers Meat Puppets World Party Loved Aztec Camera! High Land Hard Rain was great. Oblivious was a monster song. Blow Monkeys and Haircut 100 along those lines. Oh and Heaven 17. Let Me Go rules. Great video as well

They did a cover of Jump by Van Halen on a B side of something (probably Oblivious) that is just fantastic. So tongue in cheek but really well done. Very cool

In comment 14288030 EddieE said:

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OMD Erasure General Public Joe Jackson Squeeze Oingo Bongo Psychedelic Furs Yazoo XTC

Another vote for OMD. Saw them live in Boston last year and they were fantastic.

In comment 14288376 skifaster said:

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Special Beat Service is my 'marooned on an island' album Big Audio Dynamite is the other band that should have been bigger :)

Big Audio Dynamite, Big Audio Dynamite II, Big Audio, all basically Mick Jones and he was/is incredible. I think to link your two bands above Ranking Roger from the English Beat and General Public was in one of the incarnations of BAD. Maybe you knew that.

Rush might be the song played the most while I was in college. and Innocent Child was awesome (both of those by BAD II)

owned long island

Underrated I'd say the Melvins, Circle Jerks, General Public, the Polecats, the Blasters, Everything But the Girl, Electronic, the Pogues

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"successful bands that can't sell out a stadium" for 100, Alex.

Within their circles, most bands listed did quite well for themselves, often charting more than once on Billboard top 100, and being widely known. I don't think too many of them could really expect much greater chart/sales/popularity success considering their genres of music.

Still, I'm pleasantly surprised there were only a couple mentions of supergroups, like REM.

One who is widely known and respected, but who had less chart success than I would have expected is Adrian Belew. Then again, he only really surfaced with a couple of albums aimed at singles success and then dropped down below the mainstream. Had he desired, I'm thinking he could have fronted a stadium band instead of his Power Trio.

but two excellent musicians who are as versatile as they come are Joe Jackson and Elvis Costello.

Jackson probably would've stayed on top much longer if he wasn't so moody and difficult to work with.

but they were really a 90's band even though they were founded in the 80's.

J. Mascis might be the more underrated musician of the 80's.

And it's hard for me to think about Dinosaur Jr without mentioning Buffalo Tom. I think they were formed around the same time in the same

Buffalo Tom also underrated.

In comment 14288687 pjcas18 said:

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but they were really a 90's band even though they were founded in the 80's.

Eh, not sure I agree with that. Freak Scene is probably their best (and best known) song, and that came out in 1988.

I think my ballpark number would be about 60-70% of the bands listed were VERY popular in their time, and/or critically celebrated. I feel as though many listed are being listed as "underrated" when what might be more true - the fan listing the band wishes they'd been more prolific during their heyday.

In comment 14288695 Greg from LI said:

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In comment 14288687 pjcas18 said: Quote: but they were really a 90's band even though they were founded in the 80's. Eh, not sure I agree with that. Freak Scene is probably their best (and best known) song, and that came out in 1988.

I guess, but they were independent until the 90's, so I guess underrated is expected.

Where you Been was their US breakthrough. Start Choppin might be their best known song now. Start Choppin and Out there are both well known IMO.

but some are puzzling. I LOVE REM, but who thinks they're underrated? And Squeeze? They had a bunch of top 40 hits, hard to call them underrated. Both may be underappreciated, but not underrated, IMO.

One I'd add is the Undertones, with Feargal Sharkey on vocals, what a voice. A very fun punk-pop band.

how fucking great it is to have Margi back, if for music threads alone!

they also played in NJ....At Art Stock's Royal Manor North (the North Brunswick location on Route 1). The Go-Gos played there too (at least once anyway).

I think its a car dealership now

In comment 14288762 Section331 said:

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but some are puzzling. I LOVE REM, but who thinks they're underrated? And Squeeze? They had a bunch of top 40 hits, hard to call them underrated. Both may be underappreciated, but not underrated, IMO. One I'd add is the Undertones, with Feargal Sharkey on vocals, what a voice. A very fun punk-pop band.

These threads always descend into popularity contests.

When Squeeze broke, they were touted as the next coming of the Beatles. Tilbrook and Difford were the new Lennon anb McCartney, PLUS they had the great Paul Carrack as a ringer. They were huge for a year or 2, BIG MTV footprint. The opposite of underrated, I'd actually go so far as to say that they didn't live up to the hype, a few good albums and kind of fizzled.

In comment 14288687 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

And it's hard for me to think about Dinosaur Jr without mentioning Buffalo Tom. I think they were formed around the same time in the same Buffalo Tom also underrated.

Good call. My cousin played in a band in HS with Bill Janovitz, and then later with his brother. They were big in and around Boston. Not that long ago Bill got to play at Fenway with Pearl Jam and did Taillights Fade with Eddie Vedder. Pretty cool.

In comment 14288695 Greg from LI said:

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In comment 14288687 pjcas18 said: Quote: but they were really a 90's band even though they were founded in the 80's. Eh, not sure I agree with that. Freak Scene is probably their best (and best known) song, and that came out in 1988.

Not Feel the Pain?

group...Loose Ends...

When we say 'the 80's', what comes to mind? Skinny ties? Hair bands? Synth Pop, Live Aid, evolution of massive stadium bands like the Police, U2, Springsteen? Guns and Roses?

It was a weird fuckin' decade.

And smack in the middle of it, I really though Rock was dead. Dark ages. Springsteen had gone commercial, the big 4 - Stones, Beatles, Who, Zeppelin were literally dying off. Van Halen broke up. Radio had lost itself - 86', 87', NYC FM Rock Stations were drifting into pop and dance music, drawn to huge sales by Michael Jackson, Lionel Ritchie and others.

I've always been drawn to new music, but for Rock fans, it was hard to come by. Radio was giving me nothing. Had to turn to college stations.

So when these late 80's underground acts started bubbling up, I was happy. Husker Du, Smithereens, Sinead O'Connors first great album...

There were a LOT of 'underrated' artists in the decade, simply because there was not much airtime devoted to Rock Radio anymore.

MTV played it all the time. Still, in terms of lasting impact, I'd still say Freak Scene. It's in a bunch of movies, for example, and have you ever noticed Feel the Pain being used by anyone?

In comment 14288845 timintey said:

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In comment 14288687 pjcas18 said: Quote: And it's hard for me to think about Dinosaur Jr without mentioning Buffalo Tom. I think they were formed around the same time in the same Buffalo Tom also underrated. Good call. My cousin played in a band in HS with Bill Janovitz, and then later with his brother. They were big in and around Boston. Not that long ago Bill got to play at Fenway with Pearl Jam and did Taillights Fade with Eddie Vedder. Pretty cool.

Completely agree, BufTom is extremely underrated and unknown to MANY who would love them, but they're really a 90s band.
Went to Boston to see them play at the Paradise last April, I think it was. J Macias sat in on a few songs, as did other Boston 90s royalty. This was their album release for Quiet and Peace. Really good album. I've seen them many, many times (I'm in several youtube videos in the front row at their concerts.) because my brother got to know them going to college with them at UMass. Love that band

In comment 14288868 Greg from LI said:

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MTV played it all the time. Still, in terms of lasting impact, I'd still say Freak Scene. It's in a bunch of movies, for example, and have you ever noticed Feel the Pain being used by anyone?

Start Choppin was a musical masterpiece. maybe didn't have the commercial success as other DJ songs or even in general, but it was better than any Nirvana song and Dinosaur was better at grunge and music in general than Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc.

J. Masic was just too controlling. sounds familiar for rock bands.

they were only popular in the 80's as an underground group in the Boston area... the Fools. They had a very brief sniff at MTV and still tour small venues today.

The Fools have a bunch of great songs that are typical 80's tongue in cheek humor on the their 1980 album, "Sold Out". If you're inclined and want a good laugh, check out their parody song of "Psycho Killer" by the Talking Heads... it's called "Psycho Chicken" by The Fools.

In comment 14288839 x meadowlander said:

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When Squeeze broke, they were touted as the next coming of the Beatles. Tilbrook and Difford were the new Lennon anb McCartney, PLUS they had the great Paul Carrack as a ringer. They were huge for a year or 2, BIG MTV footprint. The opposite of underrated, I'd actually go so far as to say that they didn't live up to the hype, a few good albums and kind of fizzled.

The Lennon/McCartney hype was ridiculous, but they were still a very good band. Carrack was only on one album, the one with "Tempted" (which he sang with Chris Dilford). Argy Bargy is a terrific record, and holds up really well, when many albums of that era don't.

Tillbrook sang most of Squeeze's hits.

Jake E Lee great guitarist Album came out in 89 MTV played Dreams in the Dark

The good year pimps
Nektar - 70’s but played into 80’s
UB40

NOMEANSNO and the Cocteau Twins.

To shout that.

In comment 14288880 rnargi said:

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I've seen them many, many times (I'm in several youtube videos in the front row at their concerts.) because my brother got to know them going to college with them at UMass. Love that band

Ask your brother if he knows Tom O’Grady. That’s my cousin I was referring to. He was at UMass as well.

.

In comment 14287803 ij_reilly said:

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If you get to Reykjavik, check out the "Punk Museum". It's in a former public toilet. The exhibits are in the stalls. It costs about $10, maybe $8.50 at today's fx rate. It's good for 20 or 30 minutes, but they've got some great Sugarcubes stuff going on there. Here's Bjork at 16 or 17 years old, prior to Sugarcubes. Bjork killing it at 16 years old - ( New Window )

One of the enjoyable things seeing a band perform in Reykjavik is that, with everyone speaking so many languages, you see bands switching between languages song to song.

25 years later...
#1 in Japan - ( New Window )

I know being a NY crowd you guys know them, but the rest of the U.S. hardly did. I love all their stuff, and besides "we're Having a Party" (which is one of my least favorite songs they do) no one has heard much of their stuff.