Bands that deserve(d) better

[Godwhacker]

My wife, who I do not deserve, gave me my Father’s Day gift early. An Ipod! I have been busy loading it up with my CD collection.

Going through my CD collection, I realized that many of the bands that I like are ones that were either “one hit wonders” or were “marginally famous” and just off the mainstream. Quite a number of these bands, I feel, should have been much more famous and received much more notoriety for their work..

Spacehog – Loved almost all of their stuff, but their second album, The Chinese Album, I absolutely adored. Great album, great tunes. I would feel sorry for the band’s lead singer, but then again he is too busy banging Liv Tyler, so you can’t feel too bad for him.

The Rentals – “Weezer Lite” in many ways (Matt Sharp was in the original Weezer line up), with a little more emphasis on harmony.

The Refreshments – I have heard stories that the lead singer of this band put on an awesome show. Great southwestern style with large doses of sarcasm and humor.

The Hives – We are the Hives, you are crime.

Crash Test Dummies – “God Shuffled His Feet” is a great album from start to finish. Plus, the lead singer’s voice is so low, I can almost sing it!

Faith No More – sure, “Epic” was big, but their follow up album, “Angel Dust” was just incredible music, with great songs, but got much less airplay.

Cocteau Twins – half the fun is trying to figure out what the ___ she is singing.

[Ymir's blood]

Cocteau Twins – half the fun is trying to figure out what the ___ she is singing.

Most of it is referred to as glossolalia, technically speaking in tongues, but in this case referring to vocals which aren't actually language.

Much of what I listen to is obscure and often from short lived bands. I was joking with a friend a month ago that as soon as I discover a band, they break up.

[curses]

Slowdive- Absolutely brilliant, beautifully layered music with etherial female (and occasionally male) vocals.
(If you like Cocteau Twins, you may like them)

The Damned--Much better than the Sex Pistols, a shame they didn't get quite the coverage that Rotten and Co did.

aand...I can't think of any more at the moment.

[Godwhacker]

I almost included the Eels in this, but I think they have quite the cult following now.

I really can't believe Spacehog wasn't more popular. I just ate their stuff up.

[Ymir's blood]

Originally Posted by minus

The Damned--Much better than the Sex Pistols, a shame they didn't get quite the coverage that Rotten and Co did.

They weren't nearly as shocking either, which probably explains why.

Their solo stuff never had anything quite as horrible as Sid's cover of I Did It My Way, either.

[Godwhacker]

I forgot Cake. I love Cake! "Comfort Eagle" was an awesome album.

[xouper]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badfinger

[Godwhacker]

"Badmotorfinger", an outstanding album by another band that should have been more famous than they were, Soundgarden, pays tribute to them (and Motorhead, I guess!)

[The Jesus Lawyer]

Originally Posted by Godwhacker

I almost included the Eels in this, but I think they have quite the cult following now.

I really can't believe Spacehog wasn't more popular. I just ate their stuff up.

i dug both these bands. i also liked the band tripping daisy...remember them?


michael

[Godless Dave]

Originally Posted by Godwhacker

"Badmotorfinger", an outstanding album by another band that should have been more famous than they were, Soundgarden, pays tribute to them (and Motorhead, I guess!)

I actually think Soundgarden's first and even lesser known album, "Louder than Love", is their best. "Badmotorfinger" didn't do much for me.

As for bands that deserved better, my vote is for Walt Mink. Never heard of them? Exactly.

[Megatron]

Originally Posted by Godwhacker

Faith No More – sure, “Epic” was big, but their follow up album, “Angel Dust” was just incredible music, with great songs, but got much less airplay.

Agreed 110%. This was probably my favorite band of the 90s, and their airplay and attention went downhill from Angel Dust onward. As far as I'm concerned, they never made a bad album... even though King For A Day had its rough spots.

Originally Posted by Godless Dave

I actually think Soundgarden's first and even lesser known album, "Louder than Love", is their best. "Badmotorfinger" didn't do much for me.

You mean second, right?

Actually, out of Soundgarden's discography I'd say my favorites would be Superunknown and their actual first album, Ultramega OK (which, as you see, not many even know exists...)

[Sock Puppet]

Argent put out some great music, most of which bears little resemblance to their one-hit wonder, "Hold Your Head Up."

[viscousmemories]

Originally Posted by Godwhacker

I forgot Cake. I love Cake!

I loved the song "Never There" when it came out, and I just got it from iTunes. Thanks for the reminder!

I think I'll have to get an album or two of theirs as well.

[Godwhacker]

Originally Posted by viscousmemories

I loved the song "Never There" when it came out, and I just got it from iTunes. Thanks for the reminder!

I think I'll have to get an album or two of theirs as well.

I would have to recommend "Comfort Eagle" as their best. Their most recent "Pressure Chief" was not as good. There are some real gems on "Comfort Eagle", incluing "Meanwhile, Rick James" (people are still trying to figure out the one lyric...good luck!), as well as the instrumental "ARCO arena", leading into the title track, which is an awesome tune.

We are due for a new Cake album...I hope.

Zero - I really think Angel Dust is one of the best hard rock albums of all time. I especially like "Malpractice" and "Smaller and Smaller". Did you ever listen to Mr. Bungle, Mike Patton's other band? Quite different than Faith no More and quite an acquired taste, although I like a few of their tunes and they always make me laugh. I also agree about their later albums.

GD - I didn't get their first album. I might have to look for it.

Jesus Lawyer - Never got into tripping daisy.

Also, whatever happened to the band Lit. I liked them, too.

[Legs]

Originally Posted by Godwhacker

Crash Test Dummies – “God Shuffled His Feet” is a great album from start to finish. Plus, the lead singer’s voice is so low, I can almost sing it!

Out of your list I like CTD the most

[Megatron]

Originally Posted by Godwhacker

Zero - I really think Angel Dust is one of the best hard rock albums of all time. I especially like "Malpractice" and "Smaller and Smaller". Did you ever listen to Mr. Bungle, Mike Patton's other band? Quite different than Faith no More and quite an acquired taste, although I like a few of their tunes and they always make me laugh. I also agree about their later albums.

Yep, Angel Dust was pretty much legendary. And the sad part is, on and off over the last 14 years since its release, I've found a ridiculous amount of people who "know" Faith No More, and had *never* heard it. Sad.

Bungle is fun but it can be a bit annoying at times... I have a recording of one of their concerts, from around 1991, that I still would say is better than any of their studio works. They even throw in a fantastic cover of Dr. Demento's "Existential Blues" and "Pencil Neck Geek".

As for other Patton projects though, I'd say the best way to go would be Tomahawk or his one-off with the Dilinger Escape Plan.

Unless, of course, you're into industrial-noise... then I'd point you to the one-off from a band called Maldoror. This is Patton with the legendary Japanoise project Merzbow (the album is called "She", and may still be available on Ipecac Records' website) and it's nothing short of amazing.

[curses]

Originally Posted by Zero Angel

...or his one-off with the Dilinger Escape Plan.

/me did not know about this, she must now go find it.

Unless, of course, you're into industrial-noise... then I'd point you to the one-off from a band called Maldoror. This is Patton with the legendary Japanoise project Merzbow (the album is called "She", and may still be available on Ipecac Records' website) and it's nothing short of amazing.

/me didn't know about this, either. She's beginning to wonder if there's anyone Merzbow hasn't worked with

Oh, I thought of one the other day. I love Matthew Sweet. He had a hit with the song Girlfriend and Where You Get Love, although I have heard some of his other songs on the radio from time to time. He seems to have dropped off the face of the earth (though after looking at a discography, he's still recording music), and I think that Blue Sky on Mars should have had more than one single, it's a great album.

[Megatron]

Originally Posted by minus

* minus did not know about this, she must now go find it.

It's an EP called "Irony Is A Dead Scene", released in 2002.

Originally Posted by minus

* minus didn't know about this, either. She's beginning to wonder if there's anyone Merzbow hasn't worked with

I'm just waiting for the Merzbow+Skinny Puppy project. Especially if Ogre put lyrics over it, I'd probably jizz myself.

ETA: minus, check your PM's.

[TomJoe]

I agree with Cake.

I would add Cracker and Everclear.

[Megatron]

Cracker. Holy shit dude, talk about a bad ass band that never got any recognition whatsoever. Damn, I didn't even think about them. Yeah, agree there 100%. I think they were just in the wrong time at the wrong place, honestly.

[Godwhacker]

Yep, gotta agree on Cracker.

I always wonder how many of these bands would have had more hits if they were around in the heyday of music, the late 70's/80's, when MTV actually played music videos etc.

[Godless Dave]

Originally Posted by Zero Angel

Cracker. Holy shit dude, talk about a bad ass band that never got any recognition whatsoever.

I don't know about "no" recognition. Minneapolis radio stations played the shit out of them in the 90s.

[Megatron]

Originally Posted by Godless Dave

I don't know about "no" recognition. Minneapolis radio stations played the shit out of them in the 90s.

Hmm... I heard like one song on the radio in something like 1993 from the Kerosene Hat album, then never heard them on the airwaves anywhere again.

[Shake]

Originally Posted by Zero Angel

Hmm... I heard like one song on the radio in something like 1993 from the Kerosene Hat album, then never heard them on the airwaves anywhere again.

I got to see them several times when I was down in Charleston. They loved Cracker down there. Oh yeah, and this wasn't at some huge venue, just a club (whose swag you might have seen Hootie and the Blowfish wearing back when they first broke) which held maybe a couple of hundred people.

Yeah, I was just listening to Angel Dust last week ... on tape, even! Great album!

[Shake]

Oh, I forgot ... I wanted to mention the band Hum. A grossly under-rated and under appreciated band who made some fantastic music. You'd Prefer an Astronaut and Downward is Heavenward are both amazing albums! Light lyrics sprinkled over some really powerful tunes.