The Most Underrated Band

[St. Alphonzo]

I believe the most underated band in recent history is Squeeze (at least in the U.S.).

Consistently great albums (even after they stopped selling), and at least two perfect pop albums: "East Side Story" and "Play". "Cool For Cats" is pretty damn good front to back as well.

And "Tempted" is still my favorite song 24 years on.

What's your pick?

[DinoDeLaurentiis]

Most underrated band? The Dead, They Can a Dance, eh?

They broke up inna the mid-late 90s, but holy crappa did a they put out some a great music.

[Pacino86845]

I should just go around copy pasting all these musical suggestions you guys keep making all over the place and checking out some of these groups you list, I haven't even heard of most of these.

[vicious_bastard]

Squeeze are great - I love 'Up The Junction'. Big Star are another brilliant, little known band.
At The Drive-In should have taken over the world but split up instead. Relationship Of Command is in my top 5 albums - I smell another thread...

[vicious_bastard]

I should just go around copy pasting all these musical suggestions you guys keep making all over the place and checking out some of these groups you list, I haven't even heard of most of these.

I have discovered so much good stuff thanks internet (esp. forum based) recommendations - no way would I have come across them anywhere else. I can't imagine life without Edan, Fingathing or Joanna Newsom.

[WinslowLeach]

Most underrated Band: Starland Vocal Band.

[DennisMM]

The Jam. Huge in England, marginalized in the USA. Geez.

[St. Alphonzo]

Or the English Beat. Same fate as The Jam. General Public did O.K. stateside though.

[St. Alphonzo]

O.K., so how come "f a t e" comes out as studly?

[vicious_bastard]

A fatal mistake. It must be fate, father. Fuck, I can't even say f a t h e r
Sort it out Doc. I can still say morbidly obese, after all.

How can I discuss The studly Boys, studly Sam, Chow Yun-Fat, Fatal Attraction or Father Christmas?

[St. Alphonzo]

"I am your father Luke"

Yep, guess so!

[DinoDeLaurentiis]

Most underrated Band: Starland Vocal Band.

Tell a me you are a making with a the funny right? A 'cos I only a know a the Afternoon Delight... Did a they really do more that is a deserving of a the praise?

[DinoDeLaurentiis]

studly gets a turn inna to studly anna Dumbledore, she turn inna to "my lover"... so iffa someone wanna to say "Harry, he's a studly, anna he's a Dumbledore..." well, you see?

[vicious_bastard]

studly

How did you do that Dino? Are you immune to this flagrant censorship?

[DinoDeLaurentiis]

IPAMPILASH!!

You have a much a to learn, Grasshopper...

[DennisMM]

Most underrated Band: Starland Vocal Band.

Tell a me you are a making with a the funny right? A 'cos I only a know a the Afternoon Delight... Did a they really do more that is a deserving of a the praise?

They had their own summer show in 1977, moving from fair to festival to other outdoor fun venue, if I recall correctly. David Letterman was a writer and performer, along with Mark Russel, Jeff Altman and Phil Proctor.

Not the first time the supporting players outshone the stars.

[St. Alphonzo]

Most underrated Band: Starland Vocal Band.

Tell a me you are a making with a the funny right? A 'cos I only a know a the Afternoon Delight... Did a they really do more that is a deserving of a the praise?

They had their own summer show in 1977, moving from fair to festival to other outdoor fun venue, if I recall correctly. David Letterman was a writer and performer, along with Mark Russel, Jeff Altman and Phil Proctor.

Not the first time the supporting players outshone the stars.

I thought I had a head full of random music trivia, but in the last two days you've pulled out Richard Marx's "Hazzard" video, and the Starland Vocal Band's variety show. You are truly the music minutia master!

[Brocktune]

Most Underrated Band:
Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire
http://www.andrewbird.net
actually the bowl of fire is no longer existant, but they had three of the most amazing records of the last ten years. He (bird) is still writing and performing as andrew bird, and he is absolutely incredible. truly moving stuff. i fail to understand how his stuff is not appreciated by more people.

[St. Alphonzo]

Most Underrated Band:
Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire
http://www.andrewbird.net
actually the bowl of fire is no longer existant, but they had three of the most amazing records of the last ten years. He (bird) is still writing and performing as andrew bird, and he is absolutely incredible. truly moving stuff. i fail to understand how his stuff is not appreciated by more people.

A Nervous Tic of Motion Of The Head To The Left is a great song. Wasn't he the lead singer of Squirrel Nut Zippers?

[Brocktune]

no, but he was their violin player without being an official touring member. i love the Squirrel Nut Zippers, and yet i feel that all of Birds work has been superior to anything the zippers did. I mean, that ep "Weather Systems" that he did. rarely will you come across a record so emotionally gripping and sincere without the lyrics being over the top and cheesy and well, downright melodramatic. thats not to say his other work is inferior. im glad youve heard of him. if you have the chance to see him live, do it, he is awesome. The drummer for the Bowl of Fire, is still the sometimes drummer for the solo bird, and he too is amazing. one of the top 5 drummers of all time for me. incidentally, Jimbo Mathus, Tom Maxwell, and Katherine Whalen were the 3 different vocalists for the Zippers.

[St. Alphonzo]

I only have a few of Bird's songs: Nervous Tic, Sovay and Skin Is, My. All of them are fantastic. I'll have to check out "Weather Systems".

Thanks for the Squirrel Nut Zippers info. I'm not sure how I knew that Bird had anything at all to do with them.

[Brocktune]

once you really start listening to his records, if you go back and listen to the zippers, you will really hear his contribution.

[DinoDeLaurentiis]

Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire

Onna the first glance, I read that as a the "Fowl of Fire" a 'cos a the "Bird"

IPAMPILASH!

[St. Alphonzo]

"Fowl of Fire" would be a great band name!

"Phoenix" is just too bland.

[TonyWilson]

SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS....WHOOO HOO.
PUT A LID ON IT INDEED.


Personally I think Gomez are the most underrated band around at the moment. Have the yanks heard of them?

[Brocktune]

how about Fowl Afire?

[St. Alphonzo]

Or just "Rotisserie Chicken"

[TonyWilson]

Does Anyone like Gomez?

[Keepcoolbutcare]

I like Gomez.

Saw them live at a festival in Oakland and was very impressed.

How's the live album from the Fillmore?

[DennisMM]

I thought I had a head full of random music trivia, but in the last two days you've pulled out Richard Marx's "Hazzard" video, and the Starland Vocal Band's variety show. You are truly the music minutia master!

Thanks, but I can't take all the credit. You may recall that my memory of "Hazzard" was piqued by another Zoner's reference to the song, so I only get half score for that.

I remember the SVB show because I watched a few episodes. Letterman's presence escaped me until maybe 10 years ago when I saw a clip somewhere. He also was in Mary Tyler Moore's variety series. And Jeff Altman was the non-interpreter on "Pink Lady and Jeff."

In the days before the electronic database kiosk, when I sold records, one of my managers called me "The Human Phonolog." He was being kind, but I do have far too much nonsense stuffed in my brain.

And remember, Alphonzo -- I learned what I have by living through most of this shit. Once you've heard "Quick Joey Small" by The Kasenetz-Katz (sp?) Singing Orchestral Circus a few times, your brain is permanently traumatized. Maybe that explains why I kept the single for over 25 years.

[St. Alphonzo]

I thought I had a head full of random music trivia, but in the last two days you've pulled out Richard Marx's "Hazzard" video, and the Starland Vocal Band's variety show. You are truly the music minutia master!

And remember, Alphonzo -- I learned what I have by living through most of this shit. Once you've heard "Quick Joey Small" by The Kasenetz-Katz (sp?) Singing Orchestral Circus a few times, your brain is permanently traumatized. Maybe that explains why I kept the single for over 25 years.

Everything I know I learned by listenting to "Pac Man Fever" by Buckner and Garcia.

[DennisMM]

I thought I had a head full of random music trivia, but in the last two days you've pulled out Richard Marx's "Hazzard" video, and the Starland Vocal Band's variety show. You are truly the music minutia master!

And remember, Alphonzo -- I learned what I have by living through most of this shit. Once you've heard "Quick Joey Small" by The Kasenetz-Katz (sp?) Singing Orchestral Circus a few times, your brain is permanently traumatized. Maybe that explains why I kept the single for over 25 years.

Everything I know I learned by listenting to "Pac Man Fever" by Buckner and Garcia.

It ain't no "Curly Shuffle," but it'll do.

[St. Alphonzo]

I thought I had a head full of random music trivia, but in the last two days you've pulled out Richard Marx's "Hazzard" video, and the Starland Vocal Band's variety show. You are truly the music minutia master!

And remember, Alphonzo -- I learned what I have by living through most of this shit. Once you've heard "Quick Joey Small" by The Kasenetz-Katz (sp?) Singing Orchestral Circus a few times, your brain is permanently traumatized. Maybe that explains why I kept the single for over 25 years.

Everything I know I learned by listenting to "Pac Man Fever" by Buckner and Garcia.

It ain't no "Curly Shuffle," but it'll do.

... or "Super Bowl Shuffle" for that matter.

[DennisMM]

Everything I know I learned by listenting to "Pac Man Fever" by Buckner and Garcia.

It ain't no "Curly Shuffle," but it'll do.

... or "Super Bowl Shuffle" for that matter.

Now you're playing dirty.

Time to close up parts of the building for the night. Then home. Finally.

[Adam Balm]

I don't know if they're underrated or not but I just started listening to the Shins and they're amazing.

[DennisMM]

Okay, one more minute before I go.

"The Antler Dance" by Paul Shaffer and Mr. Mike. Was that even realeased, or was it just on TV?

[St. Alphonzo]

I don't know if they're underrated or not but I just started listening to the Shins and they're amazing.

Probably not underrated, but certainly under-known. Great band. I wasn't a big fan of "Garden State", but I loved the scene in the doctor's office where Portman's listening to The Shins:

"Listen to this, it'll change your life" (or something like that)

[Adam Balm]

I have not seen Garden State. Which song is that?

[Keepcoolbutcare]

"New Slang" off of Oh, Inverted World.

[St. Alphonzo]

Okay, one more minute before I go.

"The Antler Dance" by Paul Shaffer and Mr. Mike. Was that even realeased, or was it just on TV?

As far as I know it was just an SNL sketch. I can't believe I can remember that.

You must be as old as me.

[Adam Balm]

New Slang is definitely the best new song I've heard all year...


And I fucking lost it in a computer crash.

[docfalken]

I'm going to say "Ready for the World". What a powerful group with amazing songs in the mid-eighties. And they've been totally under represented in this remix age.

[St. Alphonzo]

Oh! Oh Shiela!

[docfalken]

One more post St. Alphonzo!

[wonkabar]

I still crank "We belong" by Pat Benetar

[St. Alphonzo]

Does anyone remember Mary's Danish?

They put out three great, original albums (plus a live one), and then record company bullshit broke them up.

"Circa" is a fantastic disc.


Yee Haw..... 100 posts! I'm immortal!

[wonkabar]

Congrats pimitive skrewhead

[docfalken]

I know ABBA isn't a under appreciated group (well, maybe by today's youth), but if you turn on "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" to 11 on your headphones, you might just see the face of God.

[wonkabar]

Does anyone remember Mary's Danish?

They put out three great, original albums (plus a live one), and then record company bullshit broke them up.

"Circa" is a fantastic disc.


Yee Haw..... 100 posts! I'm immortal!

Great band

[Brocktune]

the super bowl shuffle. hahaha. anybody remember the video for that song? my friend and i always laugh at it, because right up in the front of the rest of the bears, are McMahon, The Fridge, Sweetness, and then the fucking kicker. scrawny old number 4. i dont know why that was always so funny. i guess you can tell how my friend and i feel about kickers.