Greatest bands nobody has heard of

[brucethebroker]

Mahogany Rush. Saw them at a free concert in Grand Rapids MI in 1974.

You may have heard of the guitar player, Frank Marino.

If you like live Hendrix/Clapton type guitar, give him a try.

 

[Midpack]

Here’s one I stumbled across that I suspect no one here has heard of, Danny & The Veetos, from the Faroe Islands. The language is Faroese, descended from Old Norse. The song is Eg Litil Var, it’s joyful and uplifting IMO.

Where I heard it:

Official video - better sound quality?

 

[Zig56]

Here's a couple of gals that I stumbled on via Facebook. They do a lot of cover songs there. Kind of a funky style.

That’s Larkin Poe, they were the Lovell Sisters, I saw them live a few times.

 

[Midpack]

I just learned of this musician, she is now my favorite:

I watched her on 60 Minutes last night - simply otherworldly!

 

[UnrealizedPotential]

Commander Cody and his lost planet airmen

 

[KCGeezer]

+1. I haven't listened to it in years but I'll have to find my copy of Lost in the Ozone.

 

[Big_Hitter]

+1. I haven't listened to it in years but I'll have to find my copy of Lost in the Ozone.

I have that record and a few others

 

[golfnut]

I remember Starcastle back in my mid 70s college days In Macomb Ill. They were a poor man's version of YES. I really liked them.

Another band from that era which were great - CLICKER. They were from Wisconsin and played the midwest college circuit.

 

[Beldar]

My college days were in Indiana circa 1980. There were a couple good local bands that *almost* had their breakthrough. From Indianapolis - Roadmaster:

Roadmaster played at our fraternity house I believe 1978 or so (could be off a year). One of the brothers (part time Disco DJ) knew some of the band members growing up and got them to show.

_B

 

[Murf2]

Well if we're going with the classics, how bout Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks?

 

[Murf2]

Commander Cody and his lost planet airmen

Yeah, that made me think of Dan Hicks. Then I thought we should have Asleep at the Wheel in the mix.

 

[KCGeezer]

Austin Lounge Lizards I think would qualify under obscure bands, Asleep at the Wheel not so much.

 

[GravitySucks]

Luscious Jackson. Broke up before I could see them live.
https://youtu.be/RylkVFVa-BY

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Brinsley Schwarz is the band that Nick Lowe came out of before Rockpile.

Danny Gatton isn't unknown to anybody who wanted to be a guitar player, but he never got the fame he deserved. Great guy, too. I was devastated when he killed himself.

As a big Nick Lowe fan I knew of Brinsley Schwarz. Nick's music over the last 20 years has taken quite a different track from the great rock n roll he churned out with Rockpile and his Cowboy Outfit. I see him whenever he's in the area. He put out a Christmas album a couple years ago.

Danny Gatton was quite a hot rod tuner in addition to being a brilliant guitarist, IIRC. Great musician.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

I remember Starcastle back in my mid 70s college days In Macomb Ill. They were a poor man's version of YES. I really liked them.

Another band from that era which were great - CLICKER. They were from Wisconsin and played the midwest college circuit.

That time was pretty rich for bands from Illinois/Wisconsin ... REO Speedwagon graduated from bar-band status to hitmaker, along with Cheap Trick. There was a band from Beloit that started out as Yancy Derringer and later became The ... Vers. The lead singer was about 6 1/2 feet tall and had major stage presence.

 

[HFWR]

Shawn Lane

https://youtu.be/R0ODb4yhKXY

 

[HFWR]

Mike Seal

https://youtu.be/VEEAUkDN7WA

 

[HFWR]

The Aristocrats

https://youtu.be/r69ikFzUsHM

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

DW and I attended a concert over the weekend by Leyla McCalla. Her music is quite haunting and atmospheric.

Most "Americana" acts are doomed to obscurity, I'm afraid. No light shows, fireworks or big-label productions. I think that's why I like them. There were maybe 100 people at Saturday's show.

Drivin and Cryin -- I'm not sure how widely known these guys are. I know they were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, where they've been on the scene for 30 years. They come up here to the Milwaukee area pretty often because their frontman is from Milwaukee.

 

[mh]

Shawn Lane

Shawn is responsible for my favorite YouTube guitar solo ever

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jit_KXxhX4

 

[FlaGator]

Not a band, solo artist with good backing - Jerry Riopelle.

Very popular in Phoenix in the 70's-early 80's. Would do 3 night performances at the end of the year at the Celebrity Theater with it's revolving stage. Great shows, saw him at least 5 times, with 3 different girlfriends, last of which became late DW Lot of fond memories of those shows. Have vaccumed up every available digital version of his music.

His performances from 35-40 years ago were much more energetic than this one from 2015. Guess there is only one Mick Glad Riopelle is still at it.

 

[fjfino]

Some great Americana acts that come to mind...

Drive by Truckers
The Bottle Rockets
Old 97's
Ryan Bingham
Hard Working Americans (Todd Snyder Super Group)
Pokey LaFarge
James McMurtry

(I will also second a vote for Blackberry Smoke, Drivinncrying and can't not mention the great Marty Stuart!)

 

[UnrealizedPotential]

Some great Americana acts that come to mind...

Drive by Truckers
The Bottle Rockets
Old 97's
Ryan Bingham
Hard Working Americans (Todd Snyder Super Group)
Pokey LaFarge
James McMurtry

(I will also second a vote for Blackberry Smoke, Drivinncrying and can't not mention the great Marty Stuart!)

Marty Stuart. Ha ha. I do not think he ever decided if he wanted to be bluegrass or honky tonk. Some of his songs has both in it . Yeah, he's a trip.

 

[dtbach]

Some that I enjoyed from the 60's:

Quicksilver Messenger Service
Blues Magoos
Marmalade
Moby Grape
? & the Mysterians
New Colony 6
The Electric Prunes
Sopwith Camel

 

[golfnut]

The Blasters - some good Americana/rockabilly.

https://youtu.be/HQLMPWVx_pk

https://youtu.be/cCbajj3k4mg