Terribly underrated bands that never got their dues

[McGarnigle]

Well, that's a somewhat arbitrary way of defining "underappreciated."

Artists like Zappa and Waits; you aren't going to be able to write the history of music in the late 20th century without dedicating a chapter to these guys (if for no other reason than the influence they've had on other musicians). Yet, 9 people out of 10 you stop in the street has never heard of them, and 99 out of 100 couldn't name a song of theirs. The presence of a cultish fan base for these artists doesn't diminish how underappreciated they are in general.

9 out of 10 has never heard of them? I'd bet that majorities of people have heard of them, excluding the teen set. Admittedly, Zappa's fading because he's dead and wasn't an actor as well.

I might agree Waits is underrated because he's one of my favorites, but this is where these under- and over-appreciated threads fall apart for ,e.

 

[thataintchicken]

Armored Saint

 

[lschiavo]

Prong is another of my favs. I always thought they were just ahead of their time.

 

[Beezy]

Prong is another of my favs. I always thought they were just ahead of their time.

I was a big fan back in the day. I think their music is great but their albums are poorly produced unfort.

My stuff was Kyuss. Still surprised how when I mention them a lot of people have no clue. I dont even listen to that much heavy guitar bands anymore but their albums still sound fresh to me.

 

[KayaBrew]

Name a single underrated band that did not get the attention they should have, or had their thunder stolen from them.

My choice; Faith No More.

My God, I always loved FNM growing up (90's were my decade), but as I get older they get better, and deeper, and so much more complex. It's really quite fantastic.

Right now I am listening to "The Gentle Art of Making Enemies" from the King For a Day, Fool For a Lifetime album. Jesus, do a favor and youtube search for it.

What's your choice?

Damn....I'm listening to "Introduce Yourself" right now. Killer record. These guys were ahead of their time in 1987. I like Mike Patton better than Chuck Mosely as a lead singer, but it's still a great album.

 

[Bubba]

The Good Rats ....... The greatest band that never made it.

 

[lschiavo]

I was a big fan back in the day. I think their music is great but their albums are poorly produced unfort.

My stuff was Kyuss. Still surprised how when I mention them a lot of people have no clue. I dont even listen to that much heavy guitar bands anymore but their albums still sound fresh to me.

I agree...not good production but still great. I have heard of kyuss but have not a song. Recommended by a prong fan I will be searching!

 

[Brandonovich]

Kyuss is a great one. There are two 90's grunge bands I have always loved - Satchel and Sugartooth

 

[thataintchicken]

I was a big fan back in the day. I think their music is great but their albums are poorly produced unfort.

My stuff was Kyuss. Still surprised how when I mention them a lot of people have no clue. I dont even listen to that much heavy guitar bands anymore but their albums still sound fresh to me.

Prong took a huge step forward with 'Rude Awakening'. Produced and engineered by Terry Date, with Charlie Clouser integrating drum programming and keyboards to the mix. Their first releases were rough, and didn't capture the heaviness that well. Date was able to capture it and Clouser added enough tech to set it apart from other groups at the time ie; Pro-Pain, Helmet and Super-slickly produced Tool.

I saw Kyuss in Santa Cruz, they opened for Danzig. They were really rough live, and the crowd turned on them a bit. Cool thing was seeing them in the crowd during the Danzig show--just hanging out and enjoying it.

 

[thataintchicken]

I have heard of kyuss but have not a song. Recommended by a prong fan I will be searching!

here you go.

 

[KayaBrew]

Kyuss is a great one. There are two 90's grunge bands I have always loved - Satchel and Sugartooth

F*CK yeah! "Wretch" and "Blues for the Red Sun" are in regular rotation here. I saw them open for Danzig back in the early nineties ('92 or so?) at a 500 capacity club.

Seriously...any band with a song titled "******* Sonofabicth"..........

 

[Beezy]

Yep I saw them on the Danzig tour as well. Saw them another time in a club with 50 people. It was awesome. Most of the sound coming straight from there own amps. Its funny in Pittsburgh they got a different reaction. More like who the heck are these guys! In a good way. As a contrast to Prong, Kyuss LP's captured their sound perfectly. Blues For The Red Sun is my fave. Crank it up, smoke a doob and listen straight through. I think if you think they are rough you just dont really get them. And the singer had stage fight or something. No presence. He would hide behhind the amps during the instrumental parts. For me it added to their charm. For those that dont know. They were a predecessor to Queens of the Stone Age.

 

[Irishpenguin13]

Manowar. Ooooh I went there!

 

[lschiavo]

here you go.

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTIh3T9RHIc&feature=related

Tanks man! Love it!

 

[lschiavo]

Manowar. Ooooh I went there!

Still have my cassette! Loving this thread!

 

[Irishpenguin13]

Right on, me too.

 

[kbuzz]

Didn't read all 8 pages, sorry if any of these were already said...but I'd definitely have to go with Captain Beefheart aka Don Van Vliet as my #1 choice...WAY ahead of his time...

Others in consideration:

Roky Erickson, Leatherface, The Flaming Lips, The Residents, Lungfish

 

[kbuzz]

Street Dogs!! Man, I have a helluva lot of respect for that frontman.

I don't know man...not a Street Dogs fan. I really wanted to like them cause that first Dropkick album effing rocks. Just can't say the same about either of the Street Dogs albums I've heard. Tons of respect for Mike McColgan, but the Street Dogs are nothing close to the first incarnation of the Dropkick Murphys. Do or Die is a street punk masterpice...that and "A Juvenile Product of the Working Class" by the Swingin' Utters might be the two best street punk records ever.

 

[thataintchicken]

Hell yes, Manowar.

Manowar Manowar living on the road
When we're in town speakers explode
We don't attract wimps 'cause we're too loud
Just true metal people that's Manowar's crowd

 

[thataintchicken]

just thinking about some others.

Tad.
Killer Dwarfs.
VoiVod.
36 Crazyfists

 

[buffalobrewer]

Triumph. They were a trio from Canada.

Rik Emmett still plays buffalo about every other summer. Still puts on a great show. Have not caught his jazz show yet.

 

[bruin_ale]

Styx is one of the greatest american rock bands, but they only got a bad rap because most critics are a bunch of cynical ********

 

[Beezy]

Styx is one of the greatest american rock bands, but they only got a bad rap because most critics are a bunch of cynical ********

I really dont pay attention to critics but that band got their due otherwise. They still tour. I still here their songs everyday on the radio. They sold a poop load of records. Hardly an underrated underground act.

 

[arturo7]

The Beatles

underrated, not overrated

 

[shanecb]

The Project Hate MCMXCIX I guess. Awesome death metal, and they aren't really that popular.

 

[mountainman13]

Jimmies chicken shack. Out of Charleston SC. Bad ass band. Check out "Another Day" its a great song.

DAMN!! Forgot all about JCS! Lots of good times to Pushing the Salmanilla Envelope back in the day. Damn I'm getting old

As far as my selection goes, I know he's got a pretty decent sized following, but I'd still be willing to call Hank III under-rated.

 

[Tbone66]

Rammstein

One of the best live shows I have ever seen. Their pretty popular but not near as popular as I feel they should be.

 

[Steelers77]

Jimmies chicken shack. Out of Charleston SC. Bad ass band. Check out "Another Day" its a great song.

Great band, don't know how they never got bigger.

Spoon is my next choice, clever songs!

 

[Steelers77]

Our lady Peace is another band I listen to a ton when I was younger, thought they made some good albums. They got put to the side after Superman's Dead came out. Naveed is a great album.

 

[Steelers77]

I like them and am a fan of grunge, but Scott Weiland has not produced anything great in years.

True, but STP made 2 of the best albums of the nineties

Great time to grow up.