What's your favorite band that no one's heard of?

[Chovexani]

Or that few people have heard of? This is the thread to pimp your favorite band or genre. And give me downloading ideas :spank:

Mine? Malice Mizer. Only other dorks into Japanese visual bands seem to know about them. Great outfits, great music. A shame they broke up.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

1. The Go-Betweens.

[Loonman]

2. Dead by Death

Roommate's band.

A cross between The Freeze/F.U.s/Gang Green with early Metallica thrown on top.

[mac56]

3. I give this same answer every time -

SPONGETONES! SPONGETONES! SPONGETONES!

Absolutely transcendant power pop.

www.spongetones.com

4. Five Eight

living in Athens Georgia
If there was any justice these guys would be big.
Excellent power pop with an edge.

http://www.fiveeight.com/

[Brotherjohn]

14. They rock!

[RandomKoolzip]

28. Five Eight are incredible!

They had a great song called "You Never Look in My eyes" off of the "Weirdo" album, that's just explosive. It's like spazzed-out, ready to explode, angry, insane power pop. Awesome stuff.....

[RandomKoolzip]

32. Karate.

Oh, god, too many to mention, but Karate is on top of the list. Lumped in with the "Emo" genre, they are actually more akin to power-trio indie improv rock with jazzy, Van Morrison-influenced vocals and extended guitar solos. Singer/Guitarist Geoff Farina is a Berklee grad, but he's no fusion-jazz wanker. I advise everybody to pick up their last album, "Some Boots." It's the only indie-rock album I know that is as equally influenced by Steely Dan as it is Fugazi.

[TlalocW]

5. The Beatles

They were around during the 60s. Not that popular.

TlalocW

[northzax]

7. seconds, seconds, I tell you

nt

[northzax]

6. I'm a big fan

of Aerosmith, a little bluesy rock and roll outfit from Boston. I tell you, someday, they'll be huge, playing the superbowl and everything. they're gonna be HUGE.

[waterman]

22. Funny..... Quick story. It's 1975 or so and I am working at a hotel in

Tampa. I already had their first three tapes (yes 8-track...ok?) and I loved them. But no one knew of them yet. I'd gotten the tapes in Rhode Island, where they were locals still. They were supposed to open for Rod Stewart, but he was sick, so they headlined. I got right up front and they knocked the place down. Each song was perfect. They were staying at my hotel and I told them how great they were. I got Steve Tyler some rolling papers out of my car, cause he was trying to buy them from the gift shop. They were very cool. I'll never forget it. And look at'em now. Course they were mighty strange back then.

[northernsoul]

8. Dodgy

www.dodgy.co.uk

[ludwigb]

9. Bedhead

Texas based indie rock band from the late 90s.

[Colin Ex]

10. My little sister likes Malice Mizer.

I recommend looking into Anathallo, Explosions in the Sky, and Yo La Tengo (although YLT is pretty big in the indie-rock community, so you may have heard of them) if you're into rock music.

If you're into techno or electronica, try Kid 606.

And if you're a hip hop goon, try Aesop Rock and Atmosphere.

-C

[Chovexani]

18. A guy I used to work with got me into Yo La Tengo

They're awesome.

Goth/darkwave is more my cup of tea but I like electronica too so I'll check out Kid 606. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Colin Ex]

29. Goth and darkwave, huh?

Try the Cruxshadows.

-C

[Chovexani]

35. They're on iTunes right now.

Seriously. :)

Great stuff.

[jonnyblitz]

73. Lycia is interesting for that type of music also. n/t

[tigereye]

85. yo la tengo are great!

[htuttle]

11. Max Webster

Canadian band. Long defunct, however.


"April in Toledo ... talking to myself ... talking to myself"

[CanuckAmok]

65. Mr. Buttle, Max Webster are fairly well-known, non?

n/t

[GOPisEvil]

12. The Long Winters and Centro-matic are at the top of my pimp list!

www.longwinters.com
www.centro-matic.com

[cmf]

27. We saw the Long Winters play last Saturday

Along with some other cool bands. It was awesome. B-) The couple that we brought along became new Long Winters fans.

[GOPisEvil]

30. The Wrens were on that bill weren't they??

The Wrens are coming to South By Southwest, but their show is at the same time as another show I want to see. Decisions, decisions!

[RandomKoolzip]

34. The Wrens are coming to Chicago on the 10th! Oh yeah, baby!

I'm so jazzed.

[GOPisEvil]

36. I *should* have two chances to see them here...

Their SXSW gig, of course, but I think they are playing at a day party for their record label. I need to research that.

I'm sure they are playing Austin on their regular tour...I'm positive! They have to! :D

Oh...tonight...Centro-matic and The Summer Hymns! :thumbsup:

[cmf]

38. Yes, the Wrens were there

Unfortunately I missed much of their set, but it was really, really good. Like people were later talking about how they started crying because it was so good. So, I guess it depends on who they're up against - but if you have a chance, see them.

[slappypan]

13. The Dresden Dolls

Kurt Weill type duo, very dark and witty. I think they are from Boston.

[Shananigans]

15. Lately I find myself listening to a lot of Finger Eleven...

but they aren't unheard of... just not as popular in the US.

:)

[wryter2000]

16. Doctor Funk

A fabulous group in the Seattle area. They do big-band funk, ala Tower of Power. They are awesome!

www.doctorfunk.com

Also, two Canadian groups -- Powder Blues (not sure if they're still together) and The Men from Uncle.

[IronLionZion]

Blackouts

local band, also Mr. Bickle, Ten Inch Grinch,
there's a lot of good local bands

[Brotherjohn]

17. David Garza (accent the "i", as in "Dah-veed").

www.davidgarza.com

Also, old band no longer around:
Smokin' Dave and the Premo Dopes

[NuckinFutz]

19. Asylum Street Spankers

Acoustic blues, jazz, folk, old-time genres...if you can imagine it they can play it. They're from Austin. Bob and Tom play their stuff alot.

www.asylumstreetspankers.com

[markbark]

20. Red Elvises

Three russians and a yank.
http://www.redelvises.com/redelvises/

--MAB

[Richardo]

21. Solex

Songs completely assembled from samples of obscure public-domain recordings.

"Solex" was a record store owner in Amsterdam before she became a recording artist.

[Maddy McCall]

23. Juvenators--Jackson, Mississippi blues band.

[waterman]

24. A band called The Samples. Just a very cool sound. Not even sure

how they'd be classified. Great talent. Never get tired of them. At least 3 or 4 releases by now. Probably more.

[TheBlob]

31. Brain child of the late Kim Turner

(Co-Manager for The Police)


Kim had hoped The Samples would be the next Police.
That never happened.

[Chovexani]

39. I saw them on Tech TV not too long ago

On a special they did called "Music Wars" about the RIAA, downloading, etc. I liked what I heard and meant to pick up some stuff off their site but it completely slipped my mind.

Thanks for the reminder. :)

[GumboYaYa]

47. Out of Boulder. Those guys are awesome.

They came to St. Louis last year, but I missed the show. I've seen them play several times and have a few of their albums.

[Richardo]

25. Brave Combo

Texas polka/norteno/rock/satire band. Check out their version of "Little Bit of Soul"

[GumboYaYa]

51. Nuclear Polka, I see those guys every time

I get the chance.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

84. YES! Brave Combo rules!

My high school history teacher introduced me to the band about 8 years ago. (Every now and then I wonder how he knew that I would turn out to be such a quirky individual.)

[Greyskye]

26. Oysterband, Outback, Palm Wine Boys, Richard Cheese, Laura Love, more...

Oysterband: British socio/political rock/folk group
Outback: World fusion instrumental goodness
Palm Wine Boys: music that makes you feel good!
Richard Cheese: Lounge music meets todays "obscene" lyrics (Rage Against the Machine, Offspring, NIN, Sublime, Papa Roach, Beastie Boys, Dead Kennedys, Prodigy, etc. HILARIOUS!)
Laura Love: Afro/Celt
Boiled in Lead: Folk/Rock/Punk

[GOPisEvil]

33. The Gourds and The Damnations and The Rite Flyers

Local Austin acts! :D

[GumboYaYa]

57. I've heard of those guys.

Those live Gourds CDs are awesomne. Thanks. I owe you a few now. Hmmmmmm!

[GOPisEvil]

71. Believe it or not, they have better live shows.

That one was OK. My friend actually needs to take the guy that records them up on his offer to full access to the catalog.

[Whitacre D_WI]

37. Ego Summit

They released one album, in 1997, 1000 copies were printed, there's still about a third of them left in storage.

[meow mix]

40. how about, OOMPH! - here a list of songs you absolutly must have

Beborn Beton - Another World
OOMPH! - Der neue gott
Fictional - blue lights
Informatik - war changes nothing
VnV Nation - standing
Apoptygma Berzerk - Untill the End of the World
Syntec - blind love the blind
Delerium - flowers become screens
Terminal Choice - forbidden love
Project Pitchfork - souls

[Chovexani]

41. I have about half those songs

Hee! :) I *heart* Apoptygma Berzerk. They do great covers too--I love their versions of Enjoy the Silence and Fade to Black. They're on permanent rotation on iTunes.

You have good taste. :)

[meow mix]

43. you too! APop is the best!! =)

[IconoclastIlene]

42. Bullett

I love those lines.....


White lies in her blue eyes
evil, the game she plays

there are white lies in her blue eyes
evil, the games she plays....

[tigerbeat]

44. The Loud Family

...SF alt-pop genius scott miller's second band (after game theory). killer hooks, blisteringly intelligent lyrics mixed a fair amount of techo-psychedilia. the man can fit the phrase "fugue-state aphasia" into a hummable pop nugget.

[ruidounion]

45. West!

www.westtheband.com:headbang:

[SnowGoose]

46. Camel !!!

Right upfront: I'm not impartial, as I've enjoyed this band's music for 20 years.

For fans of "progressive" rock, this band rules. On their 30-year anniversary tour, I saw them in NYC last summer, and they were better than *ever*.

Inevitable comparisons are with bands like the Pink Floyd, but I think such comparisons do Camel a disservice. Think of a less cutesy Phish or Ozric Tentacles, and you'd be closer.

Judge for yourself by checking out their website (www.camelproductions.com), which has a jukebox function. I'd recommend Ice or Sahara, but what do I know?

In their family tree (by this, I mean people who have been on Camel albums, or people on whose albums members of Camel appear) include Brian Eno, 3 Mustaphas 3, Mic Fleetwood, Van Morrison, Pilot, Kayak, Alan Parsons Project, Keats, Sky, Genesis, Dire Straits, Caravan... oh geeze, there's too many.

[Dedalus]

48. FoW & SBH

Fountains of Wayne, who finally got on the radio w/ "Stacy's Mom," but have been the best band going since 1996 (2nd album, "Utopia Parkway," better than current one w/ "Stacy's Mom" on it). And I think Sophie B. Hawkins (yes, the woman who sang "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover") is absolutely brilliant, though tons of other female singer-songwriters who aren't nearly as good get way more press and airplay for some reason. All her albums are fantastic, so start with whichever you can find.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

81. I heard FoW for the first time last week

And I'm quite impressed!

[GumboYaYa]

49. The Iguanas

http://www.iguanas.com

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/2003-03-27/rotations3.html/1/index.html

The Iguanas, purveyors of an irresistible blend of roots rock, Crescent City R&B, swamp pop, and Tex-Mex, define themselves by a certain sexy and genuine New Orleans swing. By that we're not talking four-on-the-floor walking and hi-hat sizzle. The band instead offers ample supplies of grease, grit, dance-floor grace, and, now more than ever, lyric-writing gravitas. The group's first studio disc since 1999's Sugar Town, and fifth since playing its initial shows thirteen years ago, isn't as much of a party disc, as, say, its eponymous 1993 debut, or the following year's Nuevo Boogaloo. The Iguanas' latest recording, a reunion with their first producer, Justin Niebank (Eric Clapton, Phish, John Hiatt, Blues Traveler), is a little bit fiesta, with pieces like saxophones-barking stomper "Flame On"; the sneaky, snaking "Zacatecas"; grungy six-string blast "I Dig You"; and the insistent Latin groove of "Un Avion," one of several pieces sung in Spanish.

[SnowGoose]

50. For fans of "Hearts of Space"

Ok, I'm a little embarrased, but this is a plug for my band-mate's new solo record. It's called "Tumbleweed obfuscated by camera failure", and you can hear it at www.remanence.org. It will appeal to fans of Robert Rich, Steve Roach, Vidna Obmana and their ilk.

We like to think of it as the evil anti-yanni.

Again, I feel a little dirty - translation: self-promoting - in passing this on, but it is a very good record for fans of this type of dark-ambient music, and will most likely be played on Hearts of Space someday, as has the work he and I have done together in the band Remanence. And, you can hear it for free at the web site.

[Bonhomme Richard]

52. Toad the Wet Sprocket

[Forkboy]

53. right now?

Keelhaul
Botch
Khanate (steer clear of this...I warn you)
Pig Destroyer
Agorophobic Nosebleed

My all time fav band is NoMeansNo,but some people have actually heard of them :)

and on edit-A great Japanese band doing the best punk I've heard in 15 years,Melt Banana!

[chenGOD]

75. NoMeansNo...

Tell me Cecil English isn't the best punk producer ever....I dares ya...

;)


NoMeansNo are great, absolutely superb. Their cover of Forward to Death is one of the best things ever.

[Forkboy]

80. I'd have to agree on the ole Cecil

And I'd have to agree on everything else you say too.How many bands would do a Dead Kennedy's cover acappella? And have it be incredible ("That's how a snare sounds..")?

NoMeansNo provides me with everything I listen to music for :)

[mvd]

54. Here are some

Letters To Cleo
New Pornographers
The Shins
The Wrens
The Painkillers (this group is REALLY unknown!)
The Jayhawks
Paul Revere And The Raiders (just seems like a lot of people have forgotten about them or haven't noticed them)

[GermanDJ]

55. Grant-Lee Phillips and Electrelane

Well, to be honest: I know probably hundreds of bands most people haven't heard of. So I decided to name the two bands/musicians, whose records I bought today at my local record store.

1. Grant-Lee Phillips: He was the songwriter behind Grant Lee Buffalo. A terrific, but at least here in Germany, sadly overlooked 90's band. His newest record ("Virginia Creeper") is a return to more acoustic sounds, whereas the CD before ("Mobilize") featured some electronic elements. Both Cd's are excellent IMHO.

2. Electrelane: Heard just about two weeks ago about this band while listening to Internet radio. They're an eccentric bunch of musicians who apparently released some instrumental records before. I guess you could describe their music as "Art Rock", mixed with a good measure of Jam Music, Kraut-rock and Punk.
Their newest CD is called "Power Out" and it has some choral sounds as well as - oddly enough - a song which is based upon a German text passage by Nietzsche. But don't be fooled by my description that it is heady music. I think it's just fresh, funny and creative new music.
I love this record.

[bif]

56. Smog & Dirty Three

[SaveElmer]

58. Great Big Sea

Out of St. Johns Newfoundlan, Canada...Celtic based rock...a bit like Carbon Leaf.

[Greyskye]

60. If you like GBS...

...you should check out Oysterband. :evilgrin:

[darkstar]

59. Translator

[MrSlayer]

61. Dew Scented.

I wouldn't say no one knows them since they are quite popular in Europe but in America you have to be pretty deep in the underground to know them. Kick ass old school Thrash Metal.

[Fovea]

62. Toss up Both from St. Louis -- 3 Merry Widows & The Urge

3 Merry Widows -- Psychedelic accoustic
The Urge -- 3rd wave SKA. More music per measure than most can handle.


And my fave group that some have heard of is
Soul Coughing.

[bobthedrummer]

63. The Books Banned

that us!

Music to get pregnant by, as we've been told!

[MrScorpio]

64. 4Hero and Zero7

[GermanDJ]

66. Do you know Glenn McDonald's website?

I'm asking because Malice Mizer is your favorite band. Glenn has this website, where he posts (mostly) music reviews on a weekly basis. At some point he began to review Japanese pop music and he even went so far to study Japanese in order to understand the lyrics.

One of the artists he wrote about is Gackt, the former member of MM. So, maybe you'd like to check his column out. It's called "The War Against Silence" and the website address is www.furia.com/twas

Cheers!

[jeffsurfus]

67. The Gourds

Texas roots rock. Their version of Snoop Dog's "Gin and Juice" is priceless.

[AngryAmish]

68. The Handsome Family

Weird, but fun. I have heard the music described as country-goth.

[Donkeyboy75]

78. My 58-year old father turned me on to them

Can't make sense of their lyrics, but good music, and amusing.

[TorchTheWitch]

69. shameless plug

Shovelhook... excellent stuff.

http://www.shovelhook.com/

[Padraig18]

70. 'Motherlode'

It's a local folk/blugrass string band; 3 ladies who play the guitar, violin and mandolin. They ROCK!

:)

[Catch22Dem]

72. My wife says "Vain"

Yuk!

[IconoclastIlene]

74. Colluseum and Blue Cheer

Jumping Off The Sun..Colluseum

Y Vincibus Eruptum..Blue Cheer..aint no cure for the summertime blues.

oldies but goodies.

[allalone]

76. Greg Timmons Band

Hot!

[CanuckAmok]

77. Quakes, Rheostatics, ...Trail of Dead

The Quakes were a bar band from Buffalo, NY. They were incredible. To call them a rockabilly band doesn't do them justice; they were far more than that.

The Rheostatics are somewhat well-known in Canada, but not elsewhere. Really interesting rock I can't quite put my finger on.

I know Trail of Dead are somewhat known, but why they aren't the most famous band in the world by now, I'll never know.

[Az]

79. Bunches of them

Juno Reactor
Yello
Seatbelts
Avalanche
Gackt (millions of Japanese know him)
Yuki Kajiura
ShakkaZombie
Malice Mizer
Polysics
Der In Grey
666
Leon Lai
Moi Dix Mois
SeeSaw
Toybox
Ruki V
Negativland

[sistersofmercy]

82. Bloody Ebson

It was a friend"s band, totally local but they cut their own CD that was a spoof on country music. Just too funny, tongue and cheek music, one of their songs was called Honk If Your Horny the lyrics are from linking all those cheesey bumper stickers one sees on cars, totally hilarious song. My other favorites include Long Haired Dope Smokin' Hippie, I'm Going Postal and Don't Get Your Panties In A Bunch. The lead singer-lead guitarist-song writer decided to go on a van-about across the US, so the band, well, disbanded.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

83. Triumvirat -- early 70's German prog rock band

Recommended album: Spartacus.