Most Underrated Bands Of All Time That Deserve More Recognition
Numerous bands have gone unnoticed for their contributions or influence on future artists, either due to being overshadowed by their peers or failing to achieve long-term commercial success. The following list of bands falls into this category.
Violent Femmes
Milwaukee's Violent Femmes are known for their sing-a-long folk punk-alternative rock hits, including "Blister in the Sun," "Add it Up," American Music," "Kiss Off," and "Gone Daddy Gone." Their self-titled 1982 album is widely regarded as one of the greatest debuts in modern music history. Despite their extensive and loyal cult following, the Femmes may deserve more recognition for their contributions to the music world. Perhaps it is their truly alternative nature that makes them so appealing.
Little Feat: The Band That Continues to Rock the Music Scene
Little Feat was founded in 1969 by Lowell George, a renowned singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and Bill Payne, a keyboardist. Their music was a fusion of rock, country, blues, and jazz. Since George's passing in 1979, the band has had a rotating lineup of members, but Payne and Little Feat continue to create music despite several breaks. Although they were never a mainstream sensation, they have garnered a devoted following, including Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and The Chicks, who took their name from Little Feat's "Dixie Chicken" in 1973.
Bad Brains: A Band with a Controversial Reputation
The Bad Brains are often considered the starting point for discussions about hardcore punk. However, the band's influence extends beyond the genre, as they also helped shape alternative metal, funk metal, and rap/nu metal. The original lineup, formed in 1976, included Paul Hudson (aka H.R.) on vocals, Dr. Know on guitar, Darryl Jenifer on bass, and Earl Hudson on drums. Many notable bands, such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane's Addiction, Rage Against the Machine, No Doubt, Living Colour (more on them later), and Fishbone, credit the Bad Brains as a significant influence on their own music.
Anvil: A Heavy Metal Band That Rocks Hard
Anvil, a Canadian metal band, is often mistaken for a novelty act by casual hard rock and heavy metal fans, similar to Spinal Tap. However, this is far from the truth. Anvil is highly regarded for their high-energy live performances and has influenced popular bands such as Metallica, Guns N' Roses, and Slayer. Since their debut in 1981, Anvil has released 19 studio albums. Led by Steve "Lips" Kudlow, the band experienced success in the early 1980s and again after the release of the 2008 documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil.
Cinderella
During the 1980s, Cinderella was one of the hair/glam metal bands that stood out for their musical talents. Tom Keifer, the band's frontman and guitarist, had a raspy voice and the band was heavily influenced by the blues. This was evident in their second and third albums, Long Cold Winter (1988) and Heartbreak Station (1990). Despite being popular on MTV and known for their teased hair, Cinderella had a more mature sound compared to other bands in the genre.
Blue Cheer: A Reimagined Sound Experience
Blue Cheer blended psychedelic and acid rock with elements of punk and experimental music, creating a unique sound that influenced many heavy metal bands, including Motley Crue. The San Francisco group gained recognition in the mid 1960s and continued to play, in various forms, for decades. Their rendition of Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues" is widely regarded as one of the greatest covers ever. Blue Cheer received praise from rock legends like Jim Morrison and Eric Clapton.
Exodus
Exodus, a Bay Area thrash metal band, may not have achieved the same level of commercial success as their metal counterparts, Metallica. However, they are recognized as one of the pioneers of the northern California thrash/speed metal movement. With 11 studio albums, their 1989 release, Fabulous Disaster, is still considered a standout. The band has undergone several lineup changes, including Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, and has faced internal conflicts and substance abuse issues. Currently, guitarist Gary Holt and singer Steve "Zetro" Souza are the most notable members. Testament, Anthrax, and Death Angel have all cited Exodus as a major influence.
UFO
UFO has had a number of legendary musicians come and go throughout their career, including Vinnie Moore, Pete Way, Bernie Marsden, Michael Schenker, Paul Raymond, and Aynsley Dunbar. Although they never achieved chart-topping success, their tracks "Lights Out" and "Doctor Doctor" are part of their impressive legacy. The band bridged the gap between early hard rock/heavy metal and the new wave of British heavy metal. Their live album Strangers in the Night (1979) is highly regarded and considered one of the greatest live albums of all time. Prominent bands such as Metallica, Def Leppard, Scorpions, and Pearl Jam have cited UFO as a significant influence.
Legendary Rock Band Wishbone Ash Continues to Thrill Fans with Their Timeless Music
Wishbone Ash, a band from England, had a significant impact on hard rock, despite being overlooked by many mainstream rock fans. The band was formed in 1969 and has continued to produce music up to the present day. The guitar work of Andy Powell and Ted Turner, which incorporated elements of blues, progressive and folk rock, as well as jazz, had a lasting influence on well-known acts such as Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Thin Lizzy.
Black 47: A Tale of Tragedy and Rebellion
Black 47, a band formed in New York in the late 1980s by Larry Kirwan and Chris Byrne, blended Celtic punk rock with pop influences. The addition of Geoff Blythe, a former co-founder of Dexys Midnight Runners, helped the band gain popularity on Manhattan's East Side. With the help of Ric Ocasek from The Cars, their second album, Fire of Freedom (1993), achieved mainstream success with the hit song "Funky Céilí." The band was openly political, supporting Irish republicanism, and released nearly 20 albums until 2014. Black 47 paved the way for other successful bands like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys.
Living Colour
Living Colour is a band that has won multiple Grammys and was a favorite on MTV. Their hit song "Cult of Personality" is still played on commercial radio and at sporting events. However, their success was limited to their first three albums: Vivid (1988), Time's Up (1990), and Stain (1993). Despite this, the band continues to thrive thanks to the unique guitar skills of Vernon Reid and the captivating presence of lead singer Corey Glover, who also appeared in the iconic Vietnam War film Platoon.
April Wine: A Musical Group to Listen to This Month
April Wine is a prominent name in Canadian rock history, having originated in Nova Scotia and with roots in Newfoundland. The band's breakthrough came in Montreal, under the guidance of the Herman brothers and later Myles Goodwin, a talented guitarist, keyboardist, and vocalist. April Wine achieved North American success with their album On Record in 1972, followed by mainstream hits like First Glance (1978), Harder...Faster (1979), The Nature of the Beast (1981), and Power Play (1982). They even opened for the Rolling Stones at one point. However, their most recognizable song is the top-20 ballad "Just Between You and Me," which was the first music video by a Canadian artist to air on MTV.
Melvins: The Band That Redefines Heavy Music
The Melvins, established in 1983, have continuously explored and evolved their musical style. They are recognized as the pioneers of "sludge metal" within Seattle's hard-rock scene and were among the early contributors to the grunge movement. Despite not achieving significant mainstream success, the band has released over 30 albums and has had a significant impact on the music of Nirvana, Soundgarden, Tool, Mr. Bungle/Faith No More, and Slipknot.
Blue Oyster Cult Rocks the Stage
Blue Oyster Cult is a band that is often associated with their hit song "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and a famous Saturday Night Live sketch. However, their legacy goes beyond this one track. The band was known for their ability to tell stories through their music, creating vivid imagery and fantasy. While they also had mainstream hits like "Burnin' for You" and "Godzilla," they never achieved the same level of commercial success as other bands from the same era. Despite this, their music continued to inspire other artists such as Alice in Chains, Metallica, and Queens of the Stone Age.
Naked Raygun: A Band That Rocks Without Inhibitions
In 1982, these Chicago punks had the privilege of performing the first live show witnessed by Dave Grohl, former Nirvana drummer and current Foo Fighter. Although highly acclaimed in the Chicago music scene, the band failed to achieve significant success beyond the Windy City, possibly due to their inability to remain together for an extended period. Nevertheless, Naked Raygun remains a remarkable hidden gem of greatness from the punk and post-punk era of the early 1980s.
Hüsker Dü
In the late 1970s, this well-known trio from the Twin Cities started out as a hardcore punk band. However, they later shifted towards an alternative sound that would go on to influence musicians such as Dave Grohl and Billy Corgan. The band's second album, Zen Arcade (1984), was a double album that showcased the exceptional songwriting skills of guitarist Bob Mould and the late drummer Grant Hart. Both members shared vocal duties during the band's tenure, which ended in the late 1980s.
Boogie Down Productions: The Ultimate Hip-Hop Experience
BDP made their debut in 1987 with Criminal Minded, which showcased the earliest elements of gangsta rap with a Jamaican twist. The group, consisting of MC Kris "KRS-One" Parker, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock (who was tragically killed shortly after the album's release), fearlessly portrayed the harsh realities of their South Bronx community. Despite being pioneers in the genre, BDP's contributions were somewhat overshadowed by the explosion of rap and hip-hop. Nevertheless, their legacy endures.
Screaming Trees
Although not strictly grunge, Screaming Trees played a significant role in popularizing the Seattle-based hard rock sound beyond the Pacific Northwest. The band was highly respected by contemporaries such as Melvins, Mudhoney, Green River, and Malfunkshun, and achieved their greatest commercial success with the single "Nearly Lost You" from the album Sweet Oblivion in 1992. However, internal conflicts prevented the group from sustaining their success. Tragically, lead singer Mark Lanegan passed away in February 2022 at the age of 57.
Ten Years After
Ten Years After, a British blues rock band, achieved significant success in the United Kingdom due to the exceptional talent of guitarist/vocalist Alvin Lee. Their popularity also extended to the United States with the help of classic rock radio hits such as "I'm Going Home" and "I'd Love to Change the World" during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Despite not having any chart-topping singles, Ten Years After is often included on various music lists.
