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.