Favorite Band That Isn't Very Famous

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Mr. Sparkle

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Heather Anne Peel said:
It's doubtful that even The Rolling Stones or The Beatles would stand a chance in today's "music scene" or whatever it is. Largely, it isn't even about music anymore, it's all multimedia mass marketing. The Jayhawks have a strong fanbase, however, as do many of the good bands these days. Even The Black Crowes, who were huge, are unsigned now, as is John Mellencamp. Something is very, very wrong with that! Pretty telling, really.
Heather


Maybe there's something very, very good about that. If you ask me, labels don't help artists, especially today. Motivated bands and solo acts can definitely set up a much better distribution, promotion, and live show organization than if they left it up to an A&R intern at World Conglomerate Artisit Explotation, Inc.
 

Heather Anne Peel

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There is definitely something extremely good about it, agreed. However, the labels have not been toppled yet, they are still far too powerful. Once that has fully happened, it will really be a good thing. The future is in self promotion and the Internet. The labels are starting to realize their days are waning. But, too many people are in the "American Idol" mindset, as well, and they want their music spoon fed to them, rather than actively seeking it out. I think things will be better in another five years or so. I certainly hope so, anyway.
Heather
 

RomanS

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Current: Richmond Fontaine, Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Green On Red (yes, they are playing together again!), Woven Hand.

Past: Thin White Rope, 16 Horsepower.
 

tommytoenail

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For me its the surf coasters their this surf rock japanese band. i managed to seem them a few times while i was over thier. their guitarist is phenomenal rivilaling dick dale in his youth IMHO
 

zombywoof

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Heather Anne Peel said:
It's doubtful that even The Rolling Stones or The Beatles would stand a chance in today's "music scene" or whatever it is. Largely, it isn't even about music anymore, it's all multimedia mass marketing.

There has always been multimedia mass marketing - all that has changed is the vehicle. Way back when no MTV but instead we had - 45 rpm records, Beatle bubblegum cards, Stones "tell all" stories in teeny magazines, pins, pendants, posters, and so on. We were flooded with this stuff. After the Beatles broke it seemed every band with an English accent got signed. Some good but many not so good.

And there has always been great bands continuing to play on the fringe of exile. Ask any NRBQ fan. What many of us consider the best band of the
70s, 80s, and 90s, spent their whole career playing clubs.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.
 

genelovesjez

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Mr. Sparkle said:
Maybe there's something very, very good about that. If you ask me, labels don't help artists, especially today. Motivated bands and solo acts can definitely set up a much better distribution, promotion, and live show organization than if they left it up to an A&R intern at World Conglomerate Artisit Explotation, Inc.

Do you know of any examples of bands who have made it big without any label support? I mean, I love the idea, but I'm not sure anyone has done it yet.
 

JohnK24

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The Gathering Field, a great band from Pittsburgh. Lead by singer/songwriter/rhythm guitarist Bill Deasy. They had a semi-hit in the early 90s with "Lost In America". It was an MCA major release, but they got lost when the label was sold and their PR/marketing feel apart. Bill continues to write for Nashville, has done some work with Kim Richie and has three or four solo cds. He's a James Taylor type singer, who paints a lyrical picture and story with a gentle voice. Truely great stuff. Damn, I miss the Gathering Field...when they rocked it was like REM meets James Taylor, sonic landscapes for Deasy's lyrics.

J

PS- I agree on the previously noted Crowded House...they were an amazing band. Neil is a stellar singer/song writer (and a hooky guitarist too). I've got all their cds, still listen to them often.
 

getbent

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RANCHO DELUXE. Take your time with the album....it just keeps growing on you.... I love the Jayhawks, but I prefer the Louris period...go figure.

And last, Country Dick Montana and the Beat Farmers may that band rip!

oh wait, my hero, John Stewart with Joey Harris, the loudest folk band in america...
 

eggman

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Howdy,

The Derailers from 1996-2004. When Mr. Villanueva left, they just can't be as strong. They were an unabashed throwback to Bakersfield in the 60's, right down to the lineup and wardrobe. The label applied to them is "Alt. Country". Serious about Buck Owens :cool:
The guitarist (and a talented Tele picker he is!) wrote one called "I See my Baby" that is puuure Roy Orbison; a fun ballad!
I also like thier cover of Lefty Frizzel's "No one to talk to but the Blues". I wish I could play guitar like that Hoffeldt fellow! Wait, The Derailers were an Austin group! Heather?

Eggman
 

RockinCarl

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My favorite non-famous band is actually the band I'm in now-- we're called the Twistin Tarantulas. Let me explain before you say "what an ego" or something....

I have fallowed this band for years, and one day the frontman asked me to do a few fill in shows, and everything worked. After about a year I joined the band. So really I always have a smile on my face when we're playing on stage just because I was a big fan of the band before I was in it. :D
 

RevMike

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Almost all of my favorite bands/performers are local or regional acts:

-Sean Kershaw and the New Jack Ramblers, Brooklyn
-Blind Pharaohs, Brooklyn
-Hick'ry Hawkins, Charlotte
-The Bo Stevens, Winston Salem
-Jimmy and the Teasers, Chapel Hill
-Psychocharger, NYC

- many many more
 

Heather Anne Peel

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zombywoof said:
There has always been multimedia mass marketing - all that has changed is the vehicle. Way back when no MTV but instead we had - 45 rpm records, Beatle bubblegum cards, Stones "tell all" stories in teeny magazines, pins, pendants, posters, and so on. We were flooded with this stuff. After the Beatles broke it seemed every band with an English accent got signed. Some good but many not so good.

And there has always been great bands continuing to play on the fringe of exile. Ask any NRBQ fan. What many of us consider the best band of the
70s, 80s, and 90s, spent their whole career playing clubs.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Yeah, true, but the quality of things was much higher. I know what I'm talking about, at 43 I lived through it, too. Now it's all blogs and ringtones for teenagers. MTV was the first step down, not in concept (promo films were nothing new) but in the manner in which it was presented (SICKLY commercial). The development of communications/computing technology (which are fabulous tools that I believe will end up being more of a positive than a negative), has resulted in even more instant fads than there ever were in the '60s through the '80s. History is literally the last Webpage refresh at this point. I stand by my viewpoint, the overall quality of commercial music is far worse now than ever, and the technology at our disposal, which holds much power and promise, has been widely abused as a multimedia marketing tool, rather than for true artistic purposes. The Internet is mostly electronic advertising at this point and it has much greater potential, which has been minimized by the media at large.
Heather
 

trey

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re-Reved

I was gonna list this band as a Shoulda Been but while looking to find a website to link to found out that they're Tan, Rested and Back so they can now be Maybe-Will-Bes.

(edited to take pic out cause it might offend sensitive sensibilities...and stuff)

(link removed)

I'd stumbled across their album way back when and had sent a fan note to Bruce Connole. He thanked me and told me that "sorry, the band's busted up." I was bummed!

But.. the Revamped Revenants rev up again

This is a helluva good band. Sorta in a Derailers way. Very good songwriting. Strong vocals and twang. Check out the songs from their first/only album Artists and Whores. I'm so stoked to know they're bringing out some new stuff!

Another Should Be More Famous singer/songwriter is (link removed). I know he's been discussed here before and I've seen pics of Bill Kirchen wearing his Country Ain't Pretty tee-shirt and know he's done a buncha stuff with Dallas Wayne and that he's a funny as hell writer.

And speaking of Dallas Wayne...

...and these are just 3 of the country ones. Wait, make that 4 Chris Knight...(thanks to Johnny for hipping me to this guy...."Love and a .45")

The "But wait, I thought we were told there's nobody good out there anymore...."

trey
 

Oster

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The Watch Children

Years ago (early '90s) I traded demo tapes with a band out of New Jersey (I think) called The Watch Children. I definitely got the better end of the bargain there! They were a '60s influenced garage band that made very homemade-sounding four track creations and they had a great sense of humour plus a refreshing disregard for the then-stringent 'retro-rules'.

Their best song (Coconut Lifesaver) went:

"How does it feel to be a
Coconut Lifesaver?
How does it feel to be so white?

People take you out of the pack just to
Get to another flavour
How does it feel to be a Coconut Lifesaver?"


They were really funny, well-written songs (and I'm not a big humour-in-music type of guy). That tape was adopted by all the occupants of a house I was living in during University and listened to almost daily.

I'm proud to say, I still have the tape but I really think they deserved more success. If anyone else had heard of these guys (and girl), PM me!
 

Maestro

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If it has to be a band: The wallflowers (no one knows them here in holland)
If I can pick any music: Jeff black, amazing singer songwriter everytime I listen to his cd's I'm like ''This guy is the greatest songwriter alive today'' And he is one of the best.
I also like brid york, she's very cool and has a nice voice.
 
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