Criminally Underrated...
Posted by Kitson on 7 July 2008 - 11:01am.
I was wondering if anyone here has any recollections of these great and, in my view, underrated bands of the mid to late 80's.
Fatima Mansions
Screaming Blue Messiahs
The Godfathers
The Seers
That Petrol Emotion
When I see the awful state of "Indie" music today and the success of some extremely mediocre bands - I wonder why these superb bands never "made it".
Were they misunderstood, ahead of their time, unfairly treated, or just not good enough?
Do you have any similar feelings for underdog bands where you feel an injustice has been done?
Bookmark/Search this post with:
- More from Kitson.
- Login or register to post comments
Fatima Mansions, Godfathers
Fatima Mansions, Godfathers and the Petrols still get regular listens around my way. This Damn Nation by The Godfathers is one of my all time favourite tunes by anybody!
Fatima Mansions and That Petrol Emotion
Blues for Ceausescu and Big Decision are still in my top tracks of all time.
The Rockingbirds
I always thought, in the right place and time, could have been enormous. Sadly, early 90s UK was not that time. I suspect they would stand a wee bit more of a glimmer now, but Alan Tyler has retreated too far into downhome fireside accousticity to make much of a mark, one hundred and two times bitten, no doubt. Re-releasing the lost first album would help.
Haven't heard of them...
will check them out. Funnily enough the name reminds me of another band that was going on my list, the Muttonbirds from New Zealand.
Alan Tyler
His current work may not be mainstream, but his songs are truly excellent, and he's a top geezer. And he's got a new album in the offing (to be launched at the 100 Club in October; the band I play with in support).
But, yeah, The Rockingbirds were great.
I didn't mean to diss with faint praise
I have just bought his last solo and have his first. The recent one is just a wee bit too low key, refrying old songs and standards a little too safely. I would certainly cross the road to see him play, I am sure there must be a promoter who could fix a B'ham or Lichfield gig.
And a fabulous beard on the cover. Terrified Mrs Path. She likwed the dog on the earlier one, tho'.
The Mutton Birds
were one of those bands that oh so nearly made it. Got good reviews but sadly were not given the sales to go with it. Bit like the Go Betweens of an earlier age. Think the main guy is now performing as Marshmallow? Pretty sure he was on a Word Cd not so long back.
Agree with others that The Rockingbirds should also have been massive, still play both their albums.
My tip as the Band who "Shoulda" are The Trash Can Sinatras - absolutely brilliant band who got hammered by the Go Discs fiasco. Hopefully a soon to be released 5th studio album will get them their sales they deserve.
I'm sure I saw
the singer from Muttonbirds playing French Horn on stage with Crowded House in the Glastonbury TV coverage, could be wrong.
I just guess that often it is down to plain old image and what's "in with the kids" (and what MTV2 and NME plug).
You are right, Muttonbirds did get good reviews, can't complain about lack of press support. Like Go-Betweens and The Soundtrack of Our Lives - music press were really behind them - but it just didn't help translate into a higher profile and much better CD sales.
STOP PRESS!!!
Rockingbirds first, now available on e-music, I discover by chance today!
Rockingbirds
www.ready-steady-go.org.uk/rockingbirds.htm
Thanks
For the tip.
"The Bible" and "Love and Money"
Should have and could have made it. Both groups had terrific songwriters in Boo Hewerdine (The Bible)and James Grant (Love and Money) who have continued to produce fine work gone solo.
Worth more than a punt in both cases.
Two audio pieces to take you back....
Shoegazing
My name is Marmiteboy and I am a Shoegazer.
Therefore:
Slowdive
Chapterhouse
The Telescopes
and the criminally underated
Pale Saints.
Don't forget the great 'lost' shoegazing band...
... that was Seefeel.
As for Pale Saints, as a friend of and sometime collaborator with Ian Masters, it's a terrible shame he's been pretty much missing in action for the past few years (he now lives in Japan).
Obscure shoegazers: Radiohead
The most criminally neglected rock band. Totally ignored by the critics. :)
I can't really remember
Radiohead's first album getting very much coverage, or praise, at first until the single Creep hit big.
Jellyfish
Invented most things
Jellyfish?
Must have missed them along with the Rockingbirds!
Microdisney
Got to be up there with That Petrol Emotion, me thinks.
Good one
links in nicely with top of list Fatima Mansions.
Anybody know what Cathal Coughlan is up to these days?
You might want to go here..........
http://www.cathalcoughlan.com/news/
Thanks,
seems he is happily working away under the radar.
Would dearly like to see a Word feature on his career.