Underrated rock bands/musicians

[BurtWorm]

I don't mean overlooked. I mean underappeciated. I give as an example Tom Petty who never seems to get all the respect that's coming to him despite making consistently high quality music.

The Sex Pistols have an undeserved reputation for being fakers and posers. A gimmick. But they were the real thing. No one else comes close to the effect they had on rock in the punk world. Johnny Rotten was a brilliant lyricist and performer.

[Yeshuah Ben Joseph]

1. The Alarm

Some people never got past their 80's haircuts (which were admittedly ridiculous, like many bands of the time or wanted to write them off as U2 clones, which they really weren't at all. Probably the biggest thing to come out of Wales since Tom Jones, but sadly forgotten, it seems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcEJfCjAuGA

[BurtWorm]

2. Jesus Christ!

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[ThomasQED]

86. Not forgotten in the UK

They have a pretty loyal fan base and do a gathering every year that sells out.

[Bennyboy]

3. Leftover Salmon....

Why they never got to be the biggest band on the planet will always make me wonder. Great songs, great singers and they can play their instruments as well or better than anyone.

[gmoney]

45. ...could be the colossally stupid name?

Brings to mind some goofball outfit that makes Weird Al seem nuanced and urbane by comparison.

And yes, I've never heard them, that I know of. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever heard "String Cheese Incident" either. Any relation?

Perhaps that makes me musically prejudiced... can't judge a band by the name you say? Well, if they can't be bothered to think of something that evokes more than food poisoning, I'll probably just listen to something else.

And yes, I like some bands with stupid names even. But most of them dwell in obscurity as well.

[Capn Sunshine]

4. Savoy Brown

don't know why they weren't HUGE like their direct descendants, Foghat.
I'm Tired

[Kat45]

8. I love Savoy Brown.

I agree with you.

[Capn Sunshine]

9. I salute your excellent taste

:toast:
Train To Nowhere

[greendog]

63. Ego problems.

Kim Simmonds let a lot of great talent leave that band. Without a consistant lineup they kind of fizzled out. The loss of Chris Youlden was tragic. Unique voice. Brilliant songwriter. His solo albums were amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LetUN7p6ca0

[jannyk]

5. Wishbone Ash nt

[Dr Morbius]

6. It's hard to think of molly-coddled millionaires as under-appreciated.

Some bands or artists don't seem to get a lot of respect from discerning fans and critics, but have enjoyed such wide commercial success that they've drawn accolades. An example would be ZZ Top; ever since Eliminator the critics have panned them, and their recent material isn't even getting airplay. But it's ZZ Top, popular for over three decades. Can anyone name a better American power-trio rock band? It isn't like ZZ Top is under-appreciated; the fans who aren't terribly discerning hear La Grange or Legs or Cheap Sunglasses simply smile and crank it up. I think ZZ Top hasn't gotten the respect they deserve, but they've earned lots and lots and lots of money over the years, which amounts to considerable appreciation, in my view.

Chrissie Hynde comes to mind. She's instantly familiar as the driving force behind the band The Pretenders. But I would argue she's possibly the premier example of woman-as-rock-star of all time. No woman has left a larger rock-n-roll footprint, in my mind, than Christine Ellen Hynde of Akron, Ohio. Janis Joplin was of course legendary, but her career was sadly short-lived. Diana Ross has left a larger cultural footprint, but I'd argue that Motown deserves to be held distinct and separate from rock. That is to say, you might call it R&B or soul but I usually don't consider it rock. Different genre, neither better nor worse. Who else? Aretha Franklin, but she's called the Queen of Soul for good reason. Tina Turner, who strode the line between rock and soul like a goddess? I'd still argue Chrissie Hynde is a bigger name in the pantheon of rock. Grace Slick? Maybe. Here's what Ms. Hynde sounds like these days: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQnf4qRRu_U

[BurtWorm]

7. Patti Smith

PS: you make an excellent case for ZZ Top, by the way. I just wanted to point out that you overlooked Patti Smith as a powerful example of a
woman in rock and roll.

[Tikki]

17. Or Joan Jett....

I adore Chrissie...


Tikki

[lovemydog]

10. Little Feat

With Lowell George. They put out five or so classic albums. Incendiary in concert. They were the almost like an American version of the Stones. Should have been as popular as The Eagles or Steely Dan. But they didn't get much mainstream radio airplay. So they remained darlings of critics and a small rabid fan base. Their albums still sound great today. A bunch of their songs - Dixie Chicken, Tripe Face Boogie, Willin', Truck Stop Girl, Long Distance Love, Down on the Farm, Trouble, Spanish Moon, Be One Now, Sailing Shoes - sound to me like they should have been smash hits.

[Richardo]

16. I'd add 'Crack in your Door' to that list.

The debut LF album only sold like 7,000 copies in 1971, despite having the first version of "Willin'" (which sounded like a demo - in a good way), the Tower of Power horn section, and a fantastic collection of songs. It's one of my all-time favorite albums.

:yourock:

[lovemydog]

36. Oh yeah

Crack in your Door is a great one. Also that version of .44 Blues, or whatever it's called.

Ooh, just remembered another great one, Rock N Roll Doctor. "Three degrees in bebop. A phd in swing. He's a master of rhythm he's a rock n roll king." Love that song.

[Gabi Hayes]

46. how do you leave out Rocket in My Pocket, or Fat Man in the Bathtub?

can't you hear me moan?

[lovemydog]

55. those two are great

Also The Fan and All That You Dream.

[JCMach1]

11. Golden Earring

Vastly underrated...

[old mark]

12. Burt, the Sex Pistols shows in London a year or so ago were brilliant-

they are a great stage band as well as being a gimmick. A very underappreciated muisician is Mick Abrahams, founding guitarist with Jethro Tull and later founding member of Blodwyn Pig. He still records, although he limits his touring since a recent heart attack. He is an incredible musician...try this: http://www.mickaby.freeola.com/


mark

[mitchum]

13. Bob Dylan as a melodist

All of the attention is always focused on the lyrical side of his work, but he has come up with some gorgeous melodies

I wholeheartedly agree with you about the Pistols

[BurtWorm]

19. Have you seen the Filth and Fury?

Anyone who doubts what an earth-shattering force they were (and how *brave*) should see that.

As for Dylan, I am trying so hard to warm up to him because every one I respect respects him. It ain't easy! I do like his rockers more than most of his ballads, though.

[cemaphonic]

22. Dylan as a singer.

Yeah, he's got a nasal voice, and his pitch is often only in the vicinity of where it should be. But there are very few singers who can match his timing and sense of rhythmic flow. And his voice is recognizable in an instant, which in popular music is a lot more important than "correct" singing technique.

[mitchum]

24. I tell mrs mitchum that all of the time, but she refuses to believe

He is an incredible vocalist (as opposed to "singer")
I used to argue the same thing about Lou Reed, but apparently he gave up on being a vocalist around 1979 or so.

[mitchum]

25. I tell mrs mitchum that all of the time, but she refuses to believe

He is an incredible vocalist (as opposed to "singer")
I used to argue the same thing about Lou Reed, but apparently he gave up on being a vocalist around 1979 or so.

[begin_within]

73. Sorry,

but to me he sounds like a goat giving birth. I would never pay to listen to him sing. But if you like it, more power to ya.

[bif]

14. Echo and the Bunnymen

Great band. Crappy name. Also Blodwyn Pig who were mentioned a week ago.

[vi5]

78. Echo were one of the best of that era....

Never got quite the rabid love that the Cure and the Smiths got, but I think they had a consistently better catalog then either of those bands did (and keep in mind I love both of those other bands as well).

[Arugula Latte]

89. I second that. Echo was amazing and never got the recognition they deserved.

Ian and the boys -- wow. Songs that stand the test of time.

[raccoon]

15. Phil Ochs. nt

[TZ]

18. The Eagles

Alot of people really hate on them but they had a very very innovative way of mixing in true rock music with a thread of country that today still resonates with artists in both genres. Hotel California is a album that influences still many today.

[NoGOPZone]

20. Love. How "You Set the Scene" isn't considered one the great rock anthems ever escapes me.

Spirit
Any soul group from Philadelphia
Studio musicians like the Wrecking Crew, the Funk Brothers, and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.
several drummers from the early and mid Sixties like Ron Wilson, Dino Danelli, Bobby Elliott, and John Barbata
Michael Shrieve, speaking of drummers.
The Band
Tracy Chapman
John Cippolina as a guitarist.

[mitchum]

26. John Cippolina was criminally underrated

[mvd]

21. A Fine Frenzy. She has a loyal fan base, but she doesn't get..

enough credit in the mainstream. She is an all-time fave of mine. In fact, I now have more respect for David Archuleta now that I heard he's also a fan of A Fine Frenzy. Here's a cute video of their meetup:

http://idolator.com/5642221/david-archuleta-and-a-fine-frenzy-the-idolator-meet-up

I have quite a few more of course, but I'll just post her for now.

[tk2kewl]

23. The Good Rats

[redirish28]

27. My wife saw this thread and told me to tell you a-ha and before you laugh

they have gotten high praise from bands like U2 and Coldplay.

[HughBeaumont]

30. "hunting high and low" is actually a really good album.

"Take on Me" is probably the fifth best song on it. There's some really good 80s pop songs that I'm surprised never became hits. a-Ha is like Kylie Minogue - huge internationally, but known for only 1-2 singles here in the U.S.

[Tikki]

28. The Gears..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOuMTs_5op8
"Let's Go To The Beach"...The Gears


Tikki

[gratuitous]

29. The Association

Fine musicianship, beautiful harmonies and three pop standards (Windy, Along Comes Mary, and Never My Love). But you never hear them, even on the oldies stations. Name another hit song that uses the word "psychodramas."

[Jade Fox]

39. Good points all....nt

[KamaAina]

69. Make that four pop standards

put Cherish in there as well. :thumbsup:

[Rabrrrrrr]

31. J. Geils Band, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello.

[HughBeaumont]

32. Daevid Allen/Pierre Morelin/Steve Hillage/Gong.

Captain Beyond
Anything Matt Pike is involved in.
Wino
Chuck Schuldiner (RIP)

[bif]

33. Saw Gong in London in the 70s

Way underrated band.

[independent_voter]

34. Belinda Carlistle, from 'the Go Gos'

i think she's the best pure pop singer

a great example of someone who became much better on her own

[independent_voter]

35. Not rock, but Lalo Shifrin-> mission impossible, Bullit, Dirty Harry soundtracks

i put him in even though it's not rock, because most people like his music when they hear it, but have no idea who he is


also nelson riddle and henry mancini

[OmahaBlueDog]

37. I was watching "Dirty Harry" the other day, and had about the same thought

You rarely hear his name mentioned in the same sentence as John Williams or Jerry Goldsmith, but he put down some great soundtracks.

[independent_voter]

56. I dont have cable, but watched AMC's Clint Eastwood week on the treadmill

while working out in the last week

a long time ago, i downloaded a lot of lalo schifrin stuff from itunes, along with the henry mancini and nelson riddle

i've always liked spyro gyra for work music

[Alexander]

58. I have a vinyl of Lalo Schifrin playing with Dizzy Gillespie.

It's one of my favorite jazz albums.

[MrScorpio]

87. Absolute WIN

Responsible for the greatest theme of all time, the Theme From Mission: Impossible.

[Generic Brad]

38. The Pat Travers Band

[Ishoutandscream2]

40. Johnny Nash, merging reggae with pop

"I Can See Clearly Now" the single is probably the most beautiful and uplifting songs released. The same named album is brilliant as well.

[blondeatlast]

41. Gladys Knight. Because she and Aretha are contemporaries, and Gladys wasn't the looker

that Diana Ross was/is, I think she never got the propers she deserved.

She's amazing.

[blondeatlast]

42. The Hollies. Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress is my absolute favorite song

and He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother runs a very close second.

[Jade Fox]

44. Hollies favorite...

of mine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cvxgxbxWW0

[NoGOPZone]

61. good selection nt

[Jade Fox]

43. Ambrosia.....

On the one hand Ambrosia embodied the worst of late 70s bland, neutered arena rock, which in turn gave birth to Punk.

On the other hand Ambrosia had David Pack, an incredible singer. Listen to him sing the hell out of this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj6pezdY4RQ

[Gabi Hayes]

47. root boy slim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roC_JLOcnxE

Mr. Mike knows....

[Gabi Hayes]

48. suburban lawns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPoPhqCMYhg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1PgP9gWXeA&feature=related

[Gabi Hayes]

50. The Shaggs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InpCzx5OQRU&feature=related

''Frank Zappa called the Shaggs 'better than the Beatles.' ''...

[GReedDiamond]

51. I saw them live...

...at the Washington DC YIPPIE! Smoke-In, July 4, 1978.

Edited to specify the date.

[Gabi Hayes]

53. wtf? I lived there then, and don't recall said smoke-in. was prob'ly too, uh, you know, to make it

they were one of the big local bands in the DC area.

he was in the same fraternity as GWB, played football, too, and was one of the models for some of Doonesbury's early characters

quite the maniac; died young of massive dissipation/overindulgence

a true genius/lout


how'd you like the Rootettes? was he waving around his forearm-sized dildo?



http://www.rootboyslim.com/

[GReedDiamond]

60. I rode a Trailways bus from Los Angeles...

...to D.C. to attend the smoke-in.

I remember that the Root Boy Slim performance was intense and somewhat chaotic. The Rootettes had more energy than Ike & Tina's Ikettes!

I met Aron Kay, "The Pieman," who hooked me up with his friend, Ronnie Roach/Stephen Stink, and together in '79 we started a satirical-political-punk rock band called Benedict Arnold & The Traitors. We still occasionally record and release stuff (last song released in March 2010 was called "James O'Keefe III").

The bus ride back to L.A. was also quite a bit of fun, as I met a young lady on her way to L.A. who had over a quarter pound of weed on her! Unfortunately, her "boyfriend" came to my apartment and took her away...

The Yippies and other cannabis legalization organizations have staged smoke-ins in D.C. every year since 1970.

[Broken_Hero]

49. Life of Agony ,nt

[Skip Intro]

52. once again I'll say KISS

go ahead, laugh me out of the Lounge, but these guys are far underrated, for years

Black Diamond? She? Ace Frehley? Awesome stuff if you let it in...

nobody else does this:

[Alexander]

59. Ace Frehley inspired a huge number of guitarists.

Among them Dimebag Darrell.

[Tikki]

54. Silver Apples.......

(1968)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1knVQEkEElM
"Program"...Silver Apples (1968)

Tikki

[Alexander]

57. Uriah Heep

Their early 70s material was fantastic.

But if most people have ever heard of them, it's for coming up with "Easy Livin'".

[independent_voter]

62. Angel City - australian 'AC-DC' type band nt

[astral]

64. Delaney & Bonnie and Friends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klbW-cSZ5Ac&feature=related

Bekka Bramlett's mommy and daddy for those of you who don't know and who do know Bekka Bramlett.

[Ishoutandscream2]

67. Very good. Yes, very underrated

[Liberal Veteran]

65. Oasis

:hide:

[ornotna]

66. Porcupine Tree

Fear of a Blank Planet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efsm6aJPybg



Highly underrated band.

[EnviroBat]

82. They are a fantastic band...!

Kind of like Dream Theater only interesting...

[guitar man]

68. The Flying Burrito Brothers

Often imitated,never duplicated. They never seem to get much credit for influencing so many artists that came along later.

[greendog]

85. In the winter of 84/85 I saw an unnamed band at a little bar outside Longmont, CO.

The promo material just listed the full names of each of the members.

Chris Hillman, Al Perkins, Bernie Leadon, Herb Pederson, and Jerry Scheff. They were playing acoustic instruments and doing bluegrass classics along with several Burrito Brothers tunes. I remember hearing "My Uncle", "Hickory Wind", "Six Days on the Road", "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" and "Sin City".

There were fewer than 200 people in the crowd. After introducing the band Chris looked around the little room, paused for a second and said: "We were the rock stars of the '70's".

[Tikki]

70. Sir Douglas Quintet..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E499A7WL1XU
"She's A Dynamite Woman".....Sir Douglas Quintet

"ah..play it Auggie"....


Tikki

[greendog]

71. Nick Lowe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc03cTen8rk&feature=related

[Tikki]

76. +∞(infinity)

Man is amazing....


Tikki

[peekaloo]

77. anyone who rhymes ghastly with Rick Astley

has my undying support.


long time fan of the Jesus of Cool. :D

[BurtWorm]

80. I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll.

:headbang:

[Joe Fields]

72. Humble Pie

Steve Marriot was the shit.

[Throd]

74. GWAR

The whole act is an over-the-top exercise in absurdity.

If you can get past the dog necrophelia and such, there is some really good rock-n-roll.

[Capn Sunshine]

75. Spirit!

Local fixtures here for 10 years, playing at both small and huge gigs. From gatherings in the Santa Monia Mountains on the back of a flatbed to Dodger Stadium.
Here's one of their later tunes from Dr. Sardonicus, which was a creative Zenith of local California Topanga Canyon generated music in the early 1970's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcTizMq3D3A

[Brewman_Jax]

79. Dave Clark 5

aka DC5. One of the groups in the British Invasion that had a lot of hits, but too often it's "That's a good song! Anyone know who did it?"

Their hits include: Bits and Pieces, Catch Us If You Can, Glad All Over, and their most famous hit, Over and Over.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
:hi:

[Kat45]

83. They're one of my boyfriend's absolute favorites!

I like them too, even have an album (I Like It Like That) from when I was a kid. He got a DC5 CD sometime in the past year and it was terrific--they had so many great songs!

[EnviroBat]

81. Grant Lee Buffalo

Great songwriter/musician. Seen him live a couple of times. Amazing shows!

[HoneychildMooseMoss]

84. Herman's Hermits

The Hollies
Traffic

[mvd]

92. Great call on Herman's Hermits and the Hollies!

And welcome to DU. :hi:

[Owl]

88. Robin Trower

[Kat45]

90. Agreed. Also Rory Gallagher. n/t

[VioletLake]

91. Brian Eno nt