Unheralded/underrated bands

Former Member

What bands do you lot think should get more recognition and popularity, past and present? Here's my top 5, in no order.

1. The Bluetones - been one of our best bands since the Britpop days.
2. My Vitriol
3. Gomez
4. Smashing Pumpkins - possibly the best band ever, but don't seem to have nearly enough fans.
5. Seafood - I've only heard the latest album but it's quality and they seem to get no recognition whatsoever.

Your thoughts?

Former Member

Yeh the Bluetones are really good and smashing pumpkins are.

But SP have loads of fans! <IMG SRC="confused.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

I bet half the "fans" would go off the bands if they got big and say they had "sold out", pathetic.

Former Member

Yeah I suppose the Pumpkins do actually, you're right. OK, then what about the Pixies? Big influence on Nirvana and, in my opinion, probably better.

Former Member

I think that:
1, Silver Ginger 5 (Wildhearts frontman's new band)
2, Bubble (Share of Vixen & Bam of Dogs D'Amore's new band. They're equally as good as Rachael Stamp)
3, Jack Off Jill (they were far better than My Ruin could ever be)
4, The Yo-Yo's
5, Mantaray K-D (Motörhead/Backyard Babies/Hellacopters-ish rnr)
6, the Blondes
7, Cheetahs
8, No Direction (Motörhead/Backyard Babies/Hellacopters-ish rnr)
9, Trash Brats (as above)
10, The Awesome Machine
& a load of others are all underated. <IMG SRC="frown.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
I wish that mainstream music magasines would include articles on bands that are good instead of articles about bands that are in actual fact crap but are garenteed to sell because they have the "right" image. <IMG SRC="mad.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> <IMG SRC="frown.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

YOu might remember these guys.

Does anyone remember about 2 -3 years ago that fantastic New Radicals song "You get what you give", well i nicked their album off a mate and its pretty damn good.

Pity they split up shortly after that.

anyone else got their album? <IMG SRC="eek.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

this is for zero 2, im not dissing the fact you rate the bluetones but I saw them live 2 years back at Leeds and they were so far up there own arses it made me sick, I was only at the front cos I was waiting for the foo fighters to come on, anyway someone threw up a demo tape onto the stage and all the arrogant twats could do was diss the bands name and throw the tape back into the audience oh and they sucked ass as well in my opinion, back to the underrated bands The pixies most definitely. <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

Originally posted by Zero II:
<STRONG>
1. The Bluetones - been one of our best bands since the Britpop days.

Your thoughts?</STRONG>

I agree. I got their latest album which is a collection of their hits and some new tracks as well.

The White Stripe is good too, and the Electric Soft Parade (but they are rising now anyway).

Former Member

Yea I remember the New Radicals, I like that song they did.

Although she's become really big since her death, I think Aaliyah should've had more recognition over here than she did. She was actually going for quite a few years but I don't think many people really knew who she was til she did the song for Romeo Must Die.

But anyway, I'm just biased cos I think she's great!

[ 19-04-2002: Message edited by: *SunBurst* ]

Former Member

I heard Rock the Boat on the radio and thought it was shit. Then i found out it was by Aaliyah. <IMG SRC="rolleyes.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> No disrespect, Try Again was superb and she was undoubtedly talented but I hate the way dead artists get so much extra respect and recognition, just cos they're gone. I mean look at Tupac - he's been dead 6 years and they're still making money out of him! Makes me sick.

Anyway, The Bluetones - I'm no BIG fan or anything but I think they're great and as far as i can tell they seem pretty cool and down to earth. I know some of my bands are pretty well known, but i still think they deserve more success.

Former Member

I think Veruca Salt are definitely underrated, at least these days - they were quite big in 1994, but sort of faded into oblivion after 1998 when Nina Gordon left. They're not as good as they used to be in my opinion, but I think Louise Post deserves some recognition for resurrecting the band and putting out a pretty good new album with the new line-up in 2000. The New Pornographers also seem to receive little attention (at least in Australia!).

Former Member

Originally posted by Zero II:
<STRONG>I heard Rock the Boat on the radio and thought it was shit. Then i found out it was by Aaliyah. <IMG SRC="rolleyes.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> No disrespect, Try Again was superb and she was undoubtedly talented but I hate the way dead artists get so much extra respect and recognition, just cos they're gone. I mean look at Tupac - he's been dead 6 years and they're still making money out of him! Makes me sick.

</STRONG>

Yea that kinda annoys me. No1 else could be bothered before, then once they're in "fashion" every1 seems to think they like them cos other people do. If that makes sense. She has better songs on her album, but the lyrics are what I like about her songs. At least she admitted she writing songs isn't her thing!

Told ya we think the same lol.

Former Member

Originally posted by *SunBurst*:
<STRONG>

Yea that kinda annoys me. No1 else could be bothered before, then once they're in "fashion" every1 seems to think they like them cos other people do. she and many other people deseved recognition way before. If that makes sense. She has better songs on her album, but the lyrics are what I like about her songs. At least she admitted she writing songs isn't her thing!

Told ya we think the same lol.</STRONG>

Former Member

I really can't work this thing, I meant to edit my post, not quote myself lol.

Former Member

OK I'm into different genre's here but I was really into Fear Factory and I thought they were underated. I think that is partly why they split up recently <IMG SRC="frown.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

I also think Mushroomhead are in the Shawdow of Slipknot too much. I've just heard 'xx' and its amazing. They piss all over Slipknot! They even started before Slipknot!

Former Member

firstly, in my opinion, Ocean Colour Scene are very under-rated, though the fanbase they have appears to be very loyal indeed!
secondly, Matchbox 20, HUGE in America, but really no response over here! i saw them live over here last summer supporting Bon Jovi, all my already high expectations were surpassed!
on the subject of the Pixies, i just heard a few songs of theirs, any recommendations of good songs?
<edited because i inedvertantly slagged off one of my favourite bands!>

[ 21-04-2002: Message edited by: Lorna ]

Former Member

I thin the most underated band I can imagine is bad brains. In 1977, they were doing hardcore punk with speed an intensity unheard of at the time. The fact that the were all black and rastafarians and mixed reggae into their sets made them all the more one of a kind. They infleunced many bands and would have gone further if the lead singer wasn't so crazy. I think skinny puppy is over shadowed in the industrial by the likes of nine inch nails and marilyn manson and his shock tactics. They were ahead of their time. I don't think smashing pumkins or pixies are underated. Smashing pumkins don't get the same publicity anymore b/c their music has sucked for several albums. I mean what the fuck was adore about. And pixies still have a strong reputation. Just this past week a club in my town had a pixies tribute with 5 bands. One band was from canada and was a bunch of guys in drag playing exclusively pixies songs and were called the pixie chicks. Plus the band has at least 2 tribut albums out.

Former Member

I love Ocean Colour Scene too, Lorna!

And Zero I agree about My Vitriol, Bluetones and Pumpkins.

Definitely underrated.

I was trying to make a list of others but that would mean going up to my room and browsing my CD collection which I can't be arsed to do <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

I think pretty much every folk band in the universe is underrated. Some like The Corrs have made it into the charts but many fantastic bands are unknown to most of the general public.

Former Member

I agree about My Vitriol. They deserve much more recognition.

As for the Smashing Pumpkins tho, I was a big fan but I don't think they were ever underrated. They sold out stadiums! Also, their last tour (well, the Glasgow show anyway) was crap. I think Billy Corgan was too far up his own arse by the time the band split.

A band I really like that get absoloutley no recognition in the UK are the Wallflowers. The lead singer is Bob Dylan's son and I'd recommend their most popular album 'Bringing Down The Horse' to all fans of good music.

3 Doors Down should be much more popular than they are as well.
<IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

Captain slog:

I don't think folk, bluegrass, roots reggae, etc are so much underrated as unexploited. One can almost view country as a commercialized extension of bluegrass that steps outside the traditional format to appeal to the masses. Did you notice how in the music awards it was a big shock that Oh Brother where art thow soundtrack won so many awards? I mean they shunned playing that on country radio stations b/c it was more traditional than mainstream. Everyone said bluegrass was getting the recognition it deserved, but I attend bluegrass festivals(which goes hand in hand with folk) every year and attendences soar to 40+ thousand. Traditional folk may not have the number of listeners as say Jewel, But it still has a devout following that truely appreciates the quality of the music in a traditional sense and is therfore only under rated by people who haven't been exposed or lack the ability to appreciate it b/c there taste in music is for shit. That is why we have the Britney Spears and the limp biscuts of the world, to pull these people away from us so when can peacefully appreciate good music among ourselves.

Former Member

1. The Moldy Peaches
2. Remy Zero
3. Weezer (or)
Reel Big Fish
4. Calexico
5. Kings of Convenience
6. Belle and Sebastian
7. Electric Soft Parade
8. Cooper Temple Clause
9. Ooberman

Former Member

Yeah i agree with loads of you!
Ocean Colour Scene deserve more credit. Also Savage Garden could've been much bigger in britain and ireland, hopefully darren hayes will do brill on his own tho. (just got his album 2day,listening to it now,yay! its quite good!)
Anyway back to the topic.....erm...an Irish group Aslan deserve to be known all over the world, they r so brill!
Anyway, thats all i have to say <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

Hmmm,
I agree with Kermit that Weezer and Reel Big Fish are underrated. As are [Spunge] and 4ft fingers.

Everybodys doin' the fish...

Former Member

Sigur Rós. They are an icelandic band. Beautiful tunes. They sing in Icelandic, which means that I dont understand, but it is soooooooooooo beautiful. They should definitely get played.

Former Member

Easyworld!

Former Member

Originally posted by Forsythia:
<STRONG>I think Veruca Salt are definitely underrated, at least these days - they were quite big in 1994, but sort of faded into oblivion after 1998 when Nina Gordon left. They're not as good as they used to be in my opinion, but I think Louise Post deserves some recognition for resurrecting the band and putting out a pretty good new album with the new line-up in 2000. The New Pornographers also seem to receive little attention (at least in Australia!).</STRONG>

Ooh love them. Haven't heard anything new on their front for about a year though.
Yep yep yep about My Vitriol - stunning and haunting. The Bluetones are also dead good.
I also agree with Kermit about 'The Cooper Temple Clause' although they are getting slightly more recognition now.
And Easyworld do rock!

[wow i'm agreeable!]

I also like 'The Fuzz Lightyears'. The singer has a voice similar to Bjorks in a way and they featured on The Barfly Sessions
how many years ago?!

Former Member

CrazySexyCool, you are a bgirl after my own heart! TCTC are amazing and i saw Easyworld support The Bluetones and was very impressed.

Former Member

CrazySexyCool, you are a bgirl after my own heart! TCTC are amazing and i saw Easyworld support The Bluetones and was very impressed.

Why thankyou! I saw Easyworld support King Adora last year and just *wow*ed. I then scoured [sp?] record shops for the album, determined not to buy it off the net.
Is it true TCTC are going to play Reading? I know they're playing The Lost Weekend which [the 1st day anyway] sounds good.

Former Member

Hopefully they will play Reading, considering it's their home townm, they went down welllast year, and the album and singles seem to be doing well. I saw them last year but the PA wasn't great so it was basically noise and bass. <IMG SRC="frown.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

Ouch I hate it when gigs turn into that especially when it's a good band.
Hopefully they should be good when I go to see them though. <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">

Former Member

1. less than jake
2. new found glory
3. reel big fish
4. weezer
5. the bluetones