NationStates Jolt Archive

After reading dozens of posts about metal, album titles, country, and numerous other music-themed threads, this came to mind:

What band should everyone else try? I'm sure I'm not the only one around here who knows an absolutely fantastic band that isn't particularly mainstream. Do us all a favor and share your favorite artist or band that most of us haven't heard of. And, of course, share why they're so good.

My pick:
Zakk Wylde/Black Label Society
Some of you may know Zakk from his work with Ozzy Osbourne on No Rest For The Wicked, Just Say Ozzy, No More Tears, Live & Loud, Ozzmosis, the Ozzman Cometh, Live at Budokan, and Down to Earth. While he's one of the three best guitarists to play with Ozzy (along with Tony Iommi and Randy Rhoads, pick your own favorite) Zakk's solo career is what sets him apart.
Zakk has put out seven studio albums on his own, writing, singing and playing guitar.

His musical influences, most obviously, are bands like Black Sabbath, as well as southern rock. His songs range from acoustic-folk-rock, to pure power-chord based metal. Book of Shadows and his latest, Hangover Music are his most mellow (a fine introduction to his work for those who aren't really fans of metal), while Stronger Than Death and 1919 Eternal are more "metal." There's a live album as well, a two disc affair with a very heavy first disk, and an acoustic second disk with alternate versions, which are very, very cool.
My girlfriend, who can't stand metal, loves Zakk's quieter stuff. He's one of the few artists I can think of who's done something for every mood I'm in. There are songs I can listen to first thing in the morning, or right before bed, while others are perfect for when I just want to hit something. And noone plays guitar like he does.. acoustic, spanish, searing clean tones, and his signature Gibson-through-a-Marshall.

Zakk Wylde's Homepage (http://www.zakkwylde.com)
Black Label Society Fanpage (http://www.sdmfworldwide.com/home.htm)

I've got one for you--a local band from sw Missouri/nw Arkansas named Big Smith. They do a lot of traditional and hillbilly music, as well as a lot of original stuff. Very talented musicians and a hell of a lot of fun to see in person. They have a website-- http://bigsmithband.com --go check them out.

My favorite band that would be anywhere near this spectrum is Memento. They're not completely unknown, but I don't know many people who have heard of them. They did an Ozzfest last year I think, but other than that, no serious touring. One CD out in stores now, it's called Beginnings. These guys aren't your typical Ozzfest band... definately worth checking out by lovers of all genres. www.mementoband.com

Another band is my friend's cousin's boyfriend's band. They're called Fractal, and they rock. Woooooh!

The most obscure band I know is The Bronx Casket Company...
It's gothic metal...

Gorgonzola. A Brisbane-based funk group. I think I was one of about 5 people who bought their first album a few years ago. Sadly, their website now appears to be defunct (no pun intended).

>>Defunct Clicky<< (http://www.gorgonzola.com)

http://www.empathygraphics.com/headrush/nav.html OK alittle backround. the lead singer of the band headrush was part of the band called Splender http://www.splender.com/movie.html. which i personally feel was one of the best band to almost make it. they unfortunatly broke up but the insanely talented lead singer has now formed a new band which sounds like a toned down sevendust. please take a minute to listen to them. and search for/download/buy/listen to any of the two splender cds. they are incredible albums. intellegent lyrics and great music is not dead. just music television and major radio is.

http://www.breakbeat.co.uk/player/simple.asx?ID=6786

Not really unheard of so to speak, but I'm sure few if any people on these forums have heard of Adam F. Anyway, above is a link to his best song, "Original Jungle Sound"

:cool:

Last one out, Sub-Motive and Dispatcher Cliff are my favorites

please provide links to their respective websites. i would like to listen to them all but wouldnt have the time to search for their websites. because you never know if someone on these boards has music conections and you might be doing these bands a great favor.

www.bronxcasketco.com/

http://www.bassdrive.com/BassDrive.m3u

(It'll open a media player and stream good music.)

Kraftwerk

Tvangeste. Russian symphonic black metal. But then again, most black metal bands are rather unknown.

led zeppelin

led zeppelin

that's hilarious

Emiliana Torrini and Joydrop.

They don't really have formed websites. They're too small. :)

Both are rock and roll, with female lead singers.

I'm a fan of:

Pretty Girls Make Graves
Broken Social Scene
Pavement
Belle & Sebastion
Kraftwerk
. . .And You Will Know us by the Trail of Dead


I would also say Modest Mouse but they've broken out. They're earlier stuff which few people have heard is really good though.

I'll give you two:

Genitorturers (alternative/industrial metal - think White Zombie with a female singer and BDSM influences)

http://www.genitorturers.com/

The Everdead (hardcore punk/alternative - modern day Misfits)

http://www.antidoterecords.net/theeverdead/

the decemberists
the pixies
the jicks
apples in stereo
the magnetic fields
the inicorns

Has anyone heard of Bettie Serveert?

The Rapture

And...

M83

And...

Westlife.

Pretty Girls Make Graves
Belle & Sebastion

Unknown? Those guys get flogged to death on Triple J. :eek:

However you're right, more people should listen to Belle & Sebastion.

Step into my office baby... :cool:

www.antihero.org.uk

http://giantrootattack.tripod.com

Have fun

Heh, a lot of these bands aren't exactly "unknown". The Pixies? Trail of Dead? Kraftwerk? Westlife? Trust me, all those bands made or are making a nice living.

I nominate "Bombscare", a '77 style punk band from Adelaide, Australia.

Unknown? Those guys get flogged to death on Triple J. :eek:

However you're right, more people should listen to Belle & Sebastion.

Step into my office baby... :cool:

Two other Belle & Sebastian fans? My God, I've never seen such a grouping... ;)

I'm still not sure whether I prefer the new album, Dear Catastrophe Waitress, or the wonderful The Boy With The Arab Strap. They are, however, fabulous. If you're a fan of them, I can recommend Mull Historical Society - also rather good.

I'm also a fan of The Ordinary Boys - although they're getting a bit more press nowadays.

Fish Karma (Start with either Sunnyslope or Teddy in the Sky with Magnets)

Do Half Man Half Biscuit count as unknown?

My favorite band that would be anywhere near this spectrum is Memento. They're not completely unknown, but I don't know many people who have heard of them. They did an Ozzfest last year I think, but other than that, no serious touring. One CD out in stores now, it's called Beginnings. These guys aren't your typical Ozzfest band... definately worth checking out by lovers of all genres. www.mementoband.com

Another band is my friend's cousin's boyfriend's band. They're called Fractal, and they rock. Woooooh!

Dude, I grabbed that cd...whatever happened to them?


I heart As Night Falls (http://www.asnightfalls.com/)

Gorgonzola. A Brisbane-based funk group. I think I was one of about 5 people who bought their first album a few years ago. Sadly, their website now appears to be defunct (no pun intended).

>>Defunct Clicky<< (http://www.gorgonzola.com)

An independant funk group? Im there. Any IDea where I can get some of their songs?

ninedays (www.goninedays.com or www.niedaysmusic.com)
noone seems to know of them in the uk, but they be an american band so I guess they might be known over there?
if anyone knows, did they're album get released in the end? cant for the live of me remeber what it was called... but they were apparently switching record labels at the time....?

FUTUREHEADS!
www.thefutureheads.com
(The site has automatic previews of the album tracks and a couple of realplayer video files, plus the website looks all sweet and marvellous...)

The Humff Family. Sadly defunct now but a great live band and not half bad recorded, either.

G. Love and Special Sauce

www.philadelphonic.com

A little acid jazz/funk, Galactic.

http://www.galacticfunk.com/

ninedays (www.goninedays.com or www.niedaysmusic.com)
noone seems to know of them in the uk, but they be an american band so I guess they might be known over there?
if anyone knows, did they're album get released in the end? cant for the live of me remeber what it was called... but they were apparently switching record labels at the time....?

NineDays Rocked. My first concert EVER. ^_^ Um, the only album I know of is called "The Maddening Crowd," but I THINK they may have put a second album out...Not sure. Send me a telegram and remind me to check up on it for you and I will.

And, on another note, because I LOVE this band (Got introduced to them at the said NineDays concert): Dexter Freebish

Almost NO ONE has heard of them, which is so sad...they're really, really good...and, the second time I saw them in concert, it was my birthday, and the lead singer sang to me and touched my cheek! Tee, hee!

Anyway, you can find them online at http://www.dexterfreebish.com , but beware, because they've flash on their cover page.

An independant funk group? Im there. Any IDea where I can get some of their songs?

In defiance of all probablity, I managed to find a site where you can listen online.

>>Listen to Gorgonzola<< (http://www.mp3.com.au/album.asp?id=3093)

The only place I've ever seen their albums for sale was the music store up the road from where I live. I don't think they're very well known outside Brisbane. I've an idea they may have split up because I read something about one of the band members promoting a new project.

Salmonella Dub
Nesian Mystic
Che Fu

All awezome NZ bands!! ('cept Che Fu, whose just one guy)

The Action. A 1960s white soul/mod group. Not as good as The Small Faces but definitely underrated. If you like 60s pop, check them out. If you don't like 60s pop then, meh.

this seems new

i will say mc frontalot, optimus rhyme, frontalittle squad, minibosses and stentoria

GamesOfMay

Local band that just compleatly blew me away when I ran across them at a local battle of the bands

SO mature in concert

www.gamesofmay.com

The Levellers (http://www.levellers.co.uk)

Huun Huur Tur

Soul 2 Soul (http://www.soul2soul.co.uk)

Shy FX

HIM

Also check out Clint Mansell's music which he did for Requiem for a Dream and Π.

semi known and signed http://www.dakona.com/ (pop rock)
unknown and unsigned http://www.10headshigh.com/ (alt rock)
unknown and unsigned http://www.fono.net/ (english alt rock)
unknown and unsigned http://www.daphnenyc.com/ (alt rock)
uknown and unsigned http://www.empathygraphics.com/headrush/nav.html(alt rock)

Great website to hear unsigned bands http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/main.asp
they have a running internet radio station of unsigned bands.

http://www.empathygraphics.com/headrush/nav.html OK alittle backround. the lead singer of the band headrush was part of the band called Splender http://www.splender.com/movie.html. which i personally feel was one of the best band to almost make it. they unfortunatly broke up but the insanely talented lead singer has now formed a new band which sounds like a toned down sevendust. please take a minute to listen to them. and search for/download/buy/listen to any of the two splender cds. they are incredible albums. intellegent lyrics and great music is not dead. just music television and major radio is.
affter you listen to them telegram me or reply on what you think of this band please. i feel people should hear them.

OK also not totally unknown: Poe

Genitorturers

I was about to write that.

I don't know how unknown they are, but the Dropkick Murpheys........
...........and Great Big Sea. Anyone heard of these bands?

The Best ever is called Slightly Stoopid

They are out of long beach and are one of the best bands I have ever heard!

I've heard of Dropkick Murphys.

Another good one that's not very well known is Avenged Sevenfold.

I'm a fan of:

Pretty Girls Make Graves
Broken Social Scene
Pavement
Belle & Sebastion
Kraftwerk
. . .And You Will Know us by the Trail of Dead


ALL RIGHT! Another person who liked Kraftwerk!

After reading dozens of posts about metal, album titles, country, and numerous other music-themed threads, this came to mind:

What band should everyone else try? I'm sure I'm not the only one around here who knows an absolutely fantastic band that isn't particularly mainstream. Do us all a favor and share your favorite artist or band that most of us haven't heard of. And, of course, share why they're so good.

My pick:
Zakk Wylde/Black Label Society
Some of you may know Zakk from his work with Ozzy Osbourne on No Rest For The Wicked, Just Say Ozzy, No More Tears, Live & Loud, Ozzmosis, the Ozzman Cometh, Live at Budokan, and Down to Earth. While he's one of the three best guitarists to play with Ozzy (along with Tony Iommi and Randy Rhoads, pick your own favorite) Zakk's solo career is what sets him apart.
Zakk has put out seven studio albums on his own, writing, singing and playing guitar.

His musical influences, most obviously, are bands like Black Sabbath, as well as southern rock. His songs range from acoustic-folk-rock, to pure power-chord based metal. Book of Shadows and his latest, Hangover Music are his most mellow (a fine introduction to his work for those who aren't really fans of metal), while Stronger Than Death and 1919 Eternal are more "metal." There's a live album as well, a two disc affair with a very heavy first disk, and an acoustic second disk with alternate versions, which are very, very cool.
My girlfriend, who can't stand metal, loves Zakk's quieter stuff. He's one of the few artists I can think of who's done something for every mood I'm in. There are songs I can listen to first thing in the morning, or right before bed, while others are perfect for when I just want to hit something. And noone plays guitar like he does.. acoustic, spanish, searing clean tones, and his signature Gibson-through-a-Marshall.

Zakk Wylde's Homepage (http://www.zakkwylde.com)
Black Label Society Fanpage (http://www.sdmfworldwide.com/home.htm)
Randy Rhoads is the best guitarist of the 3. My pick? Here (garageband.com/thirstnhowl)

one more:

hed (pe)

Belle and Sebastian
Velocity Girl
Love Spirals Downwards
October Project

ninedays (www.goninedays.com or www.niedaysmusic.com)
noone seems to know of them in the uk, but they be an american band so I guess they might be known over there?
if anyone knows, did they're album get released in the end? cant for the live of me remeber what it was called... but they were apparently switching record labels at the time....?
iliked them alot. very talented group. thanks for pointing them out!

hörstreich of crouse!
If you heard them HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THEM!
http://www.hoerstreich.de/download.php
Needs winamp or QCD.

Kamikazee Ground Crew

They do turn of the century kind of band music. I guess they are kinda like Squirrel Nut Zippers, but for some reason I don't find them as annoying.

Or Boulevard of Broken Dreams, some european band that does torch song from the forties. I think phoneticly. I could be pulling that last part out of my ass.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band aren't really that unknown, just to those not in the know.

Taraf de Haiduks is pretty cool, but I have a feeling that's not my special little band of gipsies anymore, as they have appeared twice in this area. Maybe some tv show used one of their songs like when ER used Iz singing What a Wonderful World and all the yuppies came flooding in the store (I worked at a record store at the time where we had a fan of Hawaiin music on staff) pretending to be Polynesian experts.

I have more, but they aren't coming to mind.