Same, as seeing Sponge play Ploughed was a bucket list. Had kinda forgotten about Local H so I caught up on Setlist FM. Holy hell their set was awesome. At least at our show the best part of the Everclear set was when Scott came out to sing on cover of Black Dog. Honestly Everclear was a letdown.
I’ve absolutely loved everything Everclear has done since the mid 90s which may make me biased, but I loved their set. Art is struggling a bit with MS unfortunately. My kid and I were right up front and Art gave him his pick at the end of the show.
They're quite good live, especially for a 2 man band. Seen them with the original drummer Joe Daniels who pounded the shit out of the drums like no one I've seen, and the current one Ryan Harding, who is also really good
Really like all there work, listen to it all. For all not currently listening , a must listen to album is: “Here Comes the Zoo”. Had the privilege of seeing them hash out songs at Otto’s downtown Dekalb, IL. They local to the Chi. Zion IL.
Dan Wilson is doing just fine as a songwriter/producer and his social media accounts are full of legitimately solid wisdom that anyone with a regular creative practice would find useful. He’s awesome.
Speaking of groups with ‘toad’ in the name, how about The Toadies? Possum Kingdom is the best song ever about either a rape and murder or vampiric seduction, or both.
It's funny, they were not a band that I really could connect the name to their songs. Like back in the day I must have heard them occasionally on the radio, but I didn't think much of them.
Then a few months ago I was at a local microbrewery that had live music night, and the band that was playing some Toad The Wet Sprocket covers. I was like "I recognize these songs, and I like them" and then consequently went on a deep dive and downloaded all their music for the next few weeks haha
Seen them 4 times. First time in 95 opening for Cranberries [awesome], last time with Marcy Playground opening in 2023. Always good. Wish they still played their hits in the original key but I get it.
I’ve seen them on the road with Big Head Todd & The Monsters (themselves one of my favorite bands) in a Todd/Toad double bill, which is just fun to say.
I love that Toad are named after a fairly obscure Monty Python audio bit written by Eric Idle, who joked that one day he was driving down the highway when the radio announcer said “and that was by Toad the Wet Sprocket!” and he nearly drove off the highway.
Saw them in '95, Hootie and The Blowfish opened for them. By the end of that tour, Hootie had comically eclipsed them in popularity and radio/MTV play. Such a shame...
Brad. The side project of Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam. There were some real jams in there. Shawn Smith (RIP) was a killer vocalist. Since we are going down side projects, Satchel as well.
I met her back in the 90s in NY, and then just not too many years ago got to chat with her again at a show in Texas. It's so weird to see an artist you knew when you were young, after you both age a couple decades. She was still absolutely amazing though.
I have an opinion that Napster killed Eve 6. This is what big bands like Metallica were talking about during their lawsuit. Eve 6 gained pretty solid popularity with their debut album. Their sophomore album was “Horrorscope” and its lead single was “Promise.” “Here’s To The Night,” which got tons of MTV and radio play was released a few months later. Arguably, that period of time was the peak of Eve 6 popularity. This period of time was also peak Napster 1999-2001.
Despite “Here’s to the Night” being a huge success, Horrorscope sold 550,000 albums, compared to the eponymous debut album selling 1,100,000 albums. Exactly double. Napster killed Eve 6.
Hmm maybe. I was a big fan of Inside Out and have never heard of any of those tracks from their second album. Maybe they were basically just a one hit wonder and the second album was half as good?
I was obsessed with Reel Big Fish in high school. Their music is so fun and so good, and they’re so much better than like 95% of other ska bands. I’ll never understand why people hate on ska so much.
I think ska gets shit because people seem to rediscover it every decade or two, get super into it, and then start wondering if there's more to it than just the sound that it is, discover that this is pretty much what ska is, get their fill, and it fades away for its next cycle of slumber. You know, like cicadas.
This always bugs me when people think Ska is just third wave (reel big fish, mustard plug) and never learn Ska dates all the way back to the 60s with Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker, The Skatalites or others like The Specials, The Beat, or Madness.
They think ska was this small blip in the 90s and not a decade spanning genre of music from multiple countries.
The old island ska, blue beat, and mento is the tea deal good stuff. Desmond is a favorite. I love the 2Tone stuff, too. The Specials were a big influence on my learning ska guitar.
They were a band that I initially wrote off and thought nothing of, but they really won me over when I first saw them live, at a free festival, in May 2000. I will always argue that they were a fantastic live act! I think that was really their strong suit and I ended up seeing them four or five more times between 2000-2004. I can’t defend their corniness, I can only say that they always hit the stage with the goal of showing everyone a good time and had some pretty-solid musicianship to boot!
I was in a ska band in the late ‘90s in high school, and while I still listen to some of it from back then, ska really served as a springboard for me to dive deeeeeep into Jamaican music in general and I never really left.
I went from “teenager in a ska-punk band” to “grown man spending way too much time at record stores digging for dancehall 45s on specific labels” fairly quickly.
That being said, Reel Big Fish is one of the few ska bands I loved during the whole third-wave thing that I CAN’T listen to today (no offence, you should like whatever YOU like). I’ve tried, and I find them way too “hey kids, look at us, we’re quirky” in my 40s, while I didn’t have that problem at all at 17.
I still adore ska bands from the ‘90s like the Slackers and Hepcat and the Gadjits… and even RBF’s label mates Goldfinger, whose Hang-Ups LP I think really holds up (although most of the later stuff doesn’t), is still something I listen to from time to time.
Same with the Canadian ska bands of the ‘90s, most of whom my shitty (also Canadian) teenage ska band opened for, sometimes frequently: The Planet Smashers, the Kingpins, Whole Lotta Milka, JFK & the Conspirators, etc. I still listen to all of that stuff.
But I find Reel Big Fish somewhat embarrassing now. No judgement on folks who still enjoy them.
I don't think RBF rode the "PeNgU1N oF d00m" quirky train nearly as much as the Aquabats did. I will still bop to Take On Me, Sell Out, Beer. They did have some of that though, like with She Has A Girlfriend Now...
But I'm with you in that I lean more towards Five Iron Frenzy, Catch22/Streetlight Manifesto (if you can call them ska...), The Interrupters, Mustard Plug, Goldfinger, etc.
And unless my kids are in the car, I usually skip Aquabats when it comes on my spotify playlists.
The Aquabats were goofy from day one, though. Their transition to a children’s band made complete sense, and I appreciate how hard they leaned into it. That move sort of allowed for their ridiculousness to continue for as long as they want it to.
RBF on the other hand just started to seem pathetic as the years passed and it was just the one aging guy with constant lineup changes and diminishing returns as far as their new albums were concerned.
I don’t blame him for continuing with it, I just aged out of their whole shtick, and unlike the Aquabats, I couldn’t follow their career through my kids, because RBF’s songs are goofy, but the subject matter isn’t exactly kid-friendly in a lot of cases.
I realize a lot of their fans today are people who weren’t born yet at the peak of the third wave thing, so they are approaching all of these bands from a very different perspective from those of us who were in the thick of it, and that’s OK too.
Aaron Barret and Monique Powell dont get along, and if you went to any Save Ferris shows, you'd know that. I still go see Save Ferris when they're in town. She still rocks.
Ska is great, but if you think Reel Big Fish is the pinnacle of ska, you might want to expand your listening. They are pretty terrible and I’ve seen them live a few times.
I got to see them open for gin blossoms (who were terrible) in a college gym, like 96 ish- they fucken rocked, I bought their tape a couple days later and have been listening to them ever since
At least with Helmet I see them brought up a lot as being an influence with other bands. And they are still kicking ass live! I saw them a few years ago open for Clutch.
Oh hell yeah. I got turned onto Clutch later but gd they are good. Ghoul Wrangler and their cover of Fortunate Son - very nice.
My wife describes Neil as "If Tom Segura fronted a ban with the dad bod" and that their videos seem like they were done by AI which makes it awesome. I can't fault the description.
The prompt wasn't "who do you wish had more longevity," or "who do you wish were still performing."
Success is relative, but compared to countless other acts of the era, they remained largely unknown.
Helmet (or Paige Hamilton as "Helmet", anyway,) has had a long career, granted, but they never really made the proverbial marquee. Their brush with mass popularity began and ended with Meantime. Their closest brush with fame was their brief cameo in The Jerky Boys movie – which was immediately overshadowed by Ozzy Osbourne's cameo.
They've had virtually zero attention from the media since then. I was a fan, but without looking it up first, I couldn't tell you anything they did after Betty (1994.)
They never reached 'household name' status, and even a bunch of kids who liked them, couldn't name more songs than Unsung and Milquetoast. Paige has (or had) an ESP endorsement/signature-model, but nobody outside of a subset of guitar players would know about that.
Sure, that they were more successful than nearly any other band flirting with 'hardcore', but that's kinda the point: Hardcore-ish was always a niche genre appealing mostly to young dudes with excess rage. 🤷🏼♂️
First crossed my path on the 'The Crow', soundtrack.
Wished I'd heard more classmates/friends listening to them like NIN and White Zombie, instead we got ICP.
My claim to fame is going to a bar on a Tuesday night with Page many years back. He’s best friends with one of my best friends. My friend calls me and is all, “you wanna go have a drink with Page at Minnie’s tonight?” Um, yes!
Super cool guy. Told us stories back in the 90s touring with other bands. Said Axl was a dick. A tale as old as time lol
Semisonic. I know they had one major hit with Closing Time, but listen to all four of their studio albums. Completely brilliant from front to back. I also don't get why their following album (after Closing Time) called "All About Chemistry" didn't sell well, it was probably the best album of 2001.
I don’t have an actual answer to this, but just wanted to say that I haven’t heard or thought about this song in nearly 30 years, but as soon as it played I realized I knew every single word 😂😂 So thank you OP for the unexpected trip down memory lane
Their other albums are great too. I loved Flagpole Sitta and didn’t really get to know the band beyond that, but around 2011 I heard Little Round Mirrors on the indie radio station (KZME back then) in Portland and fell in love. Had to buy everything of theirs after that.
Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone is one of my fav 90s albums. I'd love to see them [again, I did catch a few songs at a radio festival in 98] if they tour again
The Drag. They were a local Myrtle Beach band that had a video on 120 minutes once. I found a sealed copy of their album at some hole-in-the-wall record store in Tennessee several years ago and bought it for the nostalgia factor
There are many problems with the list you put together, but one of the main issues is that you try to compare "weird/fun" and "weird/sad". You can be quirky and weird and sing about peaches all day long, and people will laugh. If you write weird songs about parents having a fight it's got to work in a different way to connect with people (like in your example of "Everybody Hurts", which while sad, has a more beautiful sound).
You also miss the fact that Jeff doesn't have a traditional sounding voice, the recordings are very unpolished, and also that the album came out in the late 90s, when the alternative scene was, I'd say, starting to wane in mainstream popularity.
"Aeroplane" is one of the best albums of the 90s, but it never could have gotten mainstream acceptance, it's too weird.
It was just a thorough rebuttal of your original claim that it was “too weird” to be mainstream. Now you’re splitting hairs. It didn’t make it big but it wasn’t because it was “too weird”. Less marketing or less marketable? Sure. But the 90s are replete with “weird” albums that made it big.
I just don't think your experience of 90s music is that broad, if you think In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is in any way "weird", let alone (YOUR WORDS) "too weird". Jeff Mangum was fucking weird, sure. If anything, the album wasn't huge because of his flake-out and the band's breakup.
To the people downvoting me, I mean at the end of the day I'm right. The album WASN'T a hit. It WAS too weird for the mainstream, and the album is a cult classic at best.
This is also coming from somebody who had a copy of the album back in 99, I've been on the NMH train from back when Elephant Six was still active.
Got to see them with Primus several years ago in Raleigh and it was amazing. It was threatening rain the whole way there from Myrtle Beach and up until Primus really got going, then the clouds cleared out, and the music dominated the city that day
On one hand I agree they deserve to be selling out stadiums, but on the other I think they're the perfect size especially since they own the rights to most of their music now. They can make a pretty comfortable living without all the traps of superstardom
Ingram Hill. One of their songs was even on 13 Going on 30 (cab ride). Although I have (somewhere!) an early cd and recently listened to their song “Chicago” on Apple Music and it was destroyed. All of the soul and emotion was sucked out of the song and it sounded like any generic 90s- early 2000s band.
I’m not sure SP has anything to do with it, though I’d be interested to hear why you think that. From my perspective, they had 2 things that held them back:
(1) The Connor brothers were very overweight and effectively unmarketable at a time when that mattered
(2) Lanegan’s drug use severely delayed the follow up to their breakout album, by the time Dust came out their momentum, and really the grunge movement, was gone
I think both of those are good points. It sucks that appearance matters for marketing, but it really did back then, and when half the band is obese — in a time when obesity was somewhat less common than it is now — it unfortunately was a factor.
Fantastic band, though. RIP Lanegan and Van Conner.
I mean in fairness it still does matter to the industry. How many “fat” artists do you know that are around today? Biggie and Blues travelers lead singer were both big in both senses of the matter back then
Blues Traveler had hits but were never really “cool” as I recall it. They had an older audience. For a hard rock band, you have to seem cool, and the Connors were just not cool. I mean no disrespect, they are my favorite band, I just think that held them back regarding popularity.
I recently found out that Shannon was on Guns n Roses Use your Illusion II after he moved out there to LA from his hometown, where his older sister was friends with Axl Rose. Axl him on Estranged and Don't Cry for backing. Blew my mind and had to go back and listen. Clear as day now, it's Shannon Hoon's voice coming blaring out in those tracks.
Nico was an album I'd happily buy again and again, just to fall back into some of those arrangements and demo tracks.
They were big. "No Rain" was all over pop culture. Shannon Hoon's OD death R.I.P. stopped long term momentum. With that voice they would have been bigger and still could be big now.
Tones of Home was a great tune, but honestly I could not stand No Rain. Probably due to over-exposure at the time and just not loving Shannon Hoon's voice in that song.
On the other hand, it was memorable enough that I still remember the dude's name.
Agreed. I first heard this refered to as the "Heroin'd out" version. Here it is live for anyone who hasn't heard it, it's worth a listen: No Rain - Ripped Away Live
Deadeye Dick… New Age Girl was catchy as hell but they had other songs I really dug. Kinda the same with Del Amitri, Roll to Me was freakin everywhere but I loved the whole album.
Fountains of Wayne pre Stacy’s Mom? Does that count?
I saw them open for Smashing Pumpkins in 1997. I emailed them saying how much I enjoyed their set (their CD was on repeat in our small dorm.) The lead singer wrote back and said "Thanks! Next time we'll add more fireworks." Still remember his response word for word.
I never understood why the Tragically Hip weren’t bigger in the United States. I had a friend in college from Canada that introduced me and I couldn’t believe I had never heard their music (I had heard of the band). This was in the 90’s and my knowledge of music was shaped almost entirely by the radio.
Omg. I saw them in my (U.S.) hometown in 2000 and they asked the audience who was local. A couple of cheers. Then they asked who was down from Canada…..the place went nuts.
They were SO good live. Gord Downie spotted my hat from stage (fuzzy cheetah print cowboy hat from Gadzooks, I think). He jumped offstage and stole it from me and wore it for half the show, then jumped back down and returned it to me. I didn’t realize what a massive deal that was until years later when I was talking with a Canadian super fan at work. He was so jealous.
I grew up in Northern NY and watched/listened to a lot of Canadian media going up. I was surprised to learn that they weren’t popular in the US when I moved, nobody here has heard of them
Grew up on the border of Washington and BC, had the same experience. So many great Canadian bands l heard all the time on radio stations out of Vancouver that never hit in the US. Still don’t really understand why The Tea Party never popped in the states.
I love that you can still turn on any rock radio station here in Canada and it’s a virtual guarantee that you’ll hear the Hip within about a half hour of listening.
I always liked how they were ‘ours’ and were too Canadian for folks in the U.S. to claim. The fact that our entire country basically shut down to watch their last-ever concert live on TV is still kind of incredible.
So many Canadian bands got a ton of radio air time in the 99’s: Our Lady Peace, Cool for August, Finger Eleven, but not Tragically Hip. I don’t know why.
I remember the first time I saw them in concert (had grown up watching them on CBC now and again). They were opening (sadly) for (BNL? Guster? someone like that) at a theme park in western NY. Most of the open air area crowd was already there, waiting for the show to start. We hear a rumble in the distance, and then a chanting, and then, like 4 million people spill into the area carrying a gigantic Canadian flag chanting HIP HIP HIP HIP HIP. It was amazing. Then they came out and launched into 100th Meridian. Amazing show.
I wish Nirvana never got big. Pretty sure Kurt would still be alive today making awesome music. He probably would’ve chilled out in his thirties and given his talent and love of music, I’m sure he would’ve ventured into some wonderful musical territory.
Not sure about that. I think Kurt always had a need to "prove" himself in ways that Buzz and Dale don't. I think Kurt was a genuine soul but also struggled for acceptance, whereas Buzz/Dale seem to give no fucks.
I'm not sure I agree with you there. I haven't dug into the millions of pages folks have written about him after the fact but I feel like the opposite is true. He was desperate to be accepted by Buzz and Dale while alive. So I'm not sure he would give fucks about anyone other than that.
You highlight that he was desparate to be accepted by Buzz/Dale, which I agree with and think it's an example of a larger need for acceptance. There's lot of evidence (including testimony from people closest to him - Krist Novoselic and his manager) that Kurt wanted to be "really famous" and worked diligently to project a certain image. I think what he struggled with was that often times his fame and his personality did not coalesce, and often contradicted each other. He wanted the recognition without the responsibility. And it happened so fast that there was no break-in period.
Oh yeah I agree with much of what you say here. But for a working class kid to go through such changes so fast, I can't imagine anyone who could handle it. To go from being picked on and bullied in high school to being compared to the Beatles in less than 10 years is a total mind fuck.
still mad I didn't see them with Radiohead at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Not like I was actually seeing rock concerts back then but that was my first concert FOMO.
At first I was like, huh? The Bloodhound Gang was actually pretty successful, right?
Then I looked at their discography and realized they were mostly big in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the UK.
Unlike the English Wikipedia page, the German article on their discography says:
“Their most successful release is their third studio album Hooray for Boobies, with more than 3.4 million copies sold. Over one million of those were sold in Germany alone, making it one of the country’s best-selling albums of the 1990s.”
Eve 6 played at my college my junior year, I was on the hospitality committee for the student activities council which basically meant an all access pass to the band. Being a rock child of the 90's I was DEEPLY enamored with them and absolutely psyched to be their lackey for the evening. That is until they showed up an hour late, played a 30 minute set (the minimum for the contract), walked off the stage and just...left. They were absolutely miserable, they did play Inside Out and Open Road Song at least. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
On the other hand the following year Piebald played and you could not have asked for a chiller group of dudes. They remain one of my favorite bands to date and I catch them whenever I can.
Eagles of Death Metal are so fun! New Radicals has a great album, but had such a crash out they were a one hit wonder. Aimee Mann and Fiona Apple are who the Swifties think Taylor Swift is. Both of those women make such amazing music.
Splendor Solis was just...epic. I still listen to it from time to time. I'm assuming you are Canadian, if you are, do you remember their set Intimate and Interactive on Much Music? The best one MM ever put on.
Ear to the Ground! I haven't thought about that show in so long, you just triggerred a bunch of memories watching it in my friend's basement in high school. Thanks!
They're still around, and actually are beloved by many parents for their terrific kids music. Like, it's kids music that doesn't make you want to shove knitting needles into your ears. Them, Caspar Babypants (lead singer of Presidents of the United States of America), and Barenaked Ladies form the backbone of a Pandora station I heavily curated for my kid starting when she was around 2 years old. She's almost 10 and still loves that channel, and I still kinda dig it, too.
Ben Folds Five and Marcy Playground are two that I love and felt went mostly unrecognized. I just skip "Sex and candy" on the one Marcy album and "Brick" on the Ben Folds Five album and it's like I never had to get sick of hearing those. Or depressed, Brick always made me sad.
I got to see them as the middle act on Beck‘s Odelay tour. Atari Teenage Riot (hardcore techno) opened and then the Cardigans took the stage. Unfortunately the crowd wasn’t receptive to them and booed them the whole time. It was quite unfortunate.
Ugh bummer. Scratching my head as to why they would have been booed. Did they play songs spanning the 3 albums that were released back then? Or was it just a focus on First Band On The Moon?
It was a very strange crowd for sure. College campus in the south. Lovefool had been out for a bit, but it felt like a rock show and they felt a bit more Pop. My guess is Atari Teenage Riot got the metal heads all hyped up and it was such a different style of music that they couldn’t handle it. Who knows. I remember them being not as bad as the grief they were getting, but wasn’t my cup of tea at the time.
Going back and listening now, I’d enjoy the show much more! At the time I had just gotten my license the week before and was just just stoked to be able to go to shows! My musical taste has thankfully expanded tremendously since then.
Don’t remember of the setlist, but listening now there’s some familiar sounds. I love how music can take you right back to a certain place and time.
The radio station Rev105 played them a lot. That was the cool alternative radio station that was independently owned, so it was an awesome way to learn about new music.
They just went on tour again last year, pretty shocking after reading Mike Doughty's autobiography and finding out how much animosity there was between him and the rest of the band.
I think Gin Blossoms deserves more critical reanalysis, moreso than being bigger.
Too many lump them in with late 90s bands where they’re really a late 80s band that blew up in the early 90s and set the stage for the alt-pop-rock era to come.
I lived Gin Blossoms until a few years ago when I learned what they did to their original guitarist that wrote all of their hits. Now… yikes. It’s like being a Harry Potter fan after learning what a garbage person JK Rowling is.
In their defense, the dude had a massive drinking problem. Couldn’t even get through the recording of their debut record, let alone tour. That’s when the label and managers stepped in to tell them it’s unsustainable to move forward with him.
I mean what would most people do? It sounds like they tried to get him help for a while. But then when you’re on the precipice of your debut album and this guys goes off the rails, what do you do?
It’s an all-around shame because he was a musical genius. “Found Out About You” is one of the best pop songs of that era and NME is a timeless album. But I think the whole 90s era “sold out your friend” narrative ignores the impact mental health issues have on others as well.
Not arguing any of that. I’m talking about what they did after their music blew up: he was homeless/destitute from addiction, so they withheld his money until he signed over his rights to the publishing royalties.
I still remember where I was the first time I heard the song Stars because it was kind of a life altering experience at the time (when I was 13 and just starting to feel ways about stuff).
You ever listen to Shabazz Palaces? It's Ishmael Butler (Butterfly) from Digable Planets hip hop group from the 2010's. Their first 3 or 4 albums are excellent.
Also if you like Hum, I recommend the band Cloakroom, they put out an awesome album recently.
Love the Shabazz Palaces. Recent albums aren’t the best but there is still enough there to be interesting. Wish Baba Maraire was still part of the group. Happy that Ishmael found a way to keep giving us music. I also like Brookzill! which features ladybug and prince paul.
There was a band back in the 90s called Sammy, and they had one great album called Tales of Great Neck Glory - it was blatantly influenced by Pavement, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it a ripoff. Anyway, most of the tracks are really catchy and the album is virtually unknown.
Yes...Tripping Daisy's Jesus Hits and their self titled final album were both majorly overlooked. Both fantastic records. Elastic Firecracker was great but it's a shame that's all the momentum they were allowed with only 2 singles. They are one of my favourite groups.
Mansun were one of the best UK bands of their era, but kind of got lost amongst all the Blur and Oasis noise.
The Stone Roses deserved to be what Oasis became. They're an iconic band as it is, but they would've been an absolute phenomenon if the cards fell differently.
Mansun were incredible. I'm sure the name didn't help though...I used to try and hype them up and people would always think I was talking about Marilyn Manson 😅
They had multiple "hits" on alternative radio prior to Pulp Fiction. Sister Havana, Positive Bleeding. They were even on the No Alternative compilation along with Nirvana, Pavement, Pearl Jam, etc. You missed it because you were too young.
No, I actually had that album. I didn’t like their song on there, nor did I consider that a hit, but I did like Sister Havana - I just didn’t realize until now that was them.
I think the reason they weren’t bigger is because their biggest album is such an ugly album. Gentlemen is incredible but goddamn it is not a pleasant record. It’s angry in a way that’s not cathartic and it’s self loathing/deprecating in a way that you don’t want to relate to. But holy shit it rocks.
And the album isn’t even really about depression the way so many albums were at that time. It’s about someone being the biggest asshole they can be and kinda reveling in it in a very self aware fashion. It’s not about depression but by the end of the album you find you’ve spent the previous hour thinking about every bad relationship you’ve ever had and that’s the depressing part. But you also find yourself fantasizing about being an unapologetic asshole to a really awful ex who maybe deserved it and kind of enjoying it. It’s a fucked up record.
Yo tambien! I recently listened to it again after not having heard it for years and fell in love with it again. Solid gold. I remember buying “How We Operate,” which came out quite a bit later, and being really disappointed.
Loved them. My bff gave me such shit when i got their second album but they were such a good band. The first album was such a banger. Candy is still one of my favorite songs ever
Snot. Perhaps because the laws singer died in a car accident after their 2nd album. 1
St commercially but yo had a huge section of a music industry do a tribute album for him. His group was even in a video game with system of a down and bruce willis as the main voice
I bought this CD when I was on a field trip in Newport, RI. It was a little hole-in-the-wall music store back in the mid90s, and everyone in my class was like huh?
I love the songs from Josie and the Pussycats (2001) movie. I consider it a Kay Hanley album. When I'm not listening to heavy metal or classic rock, Kay brightens my life.
Their follow-up to Rubberneck called Feeler was rejected by their label in 1997, and the original masters have been "lost" supposedly. They eventually released a rerecorded version of the album in 2010. So that probably didn't help.
I saw them in Corpus Christi in 2001 promoting Hell Below/Stars Above. Needless to say it rocked. Going to see them in Austin in December.
I think I remember reading that it’s told from the point of view of a ghost who wants her to come over so he can be with her, but I might be wrong, it’s been a long time.
The lead singer said he wanted it to be like a part 2 of the song "I Burn." From what I remember that song was about cult members setting themselves ablaze. I really need to listen to the songs again. I loved that album.
100%. Came here to post the same. I saw them live for the first time in ‘99 and again this year. Such an amazing show. Rubberneck is one of my top 5 albums but they have so many other great tunes outside of that album.
The Toadies show I went to this year was pretty packed, and everyone sang along to the popular tunes. Great time. Loved the Heretics album they put out a few years ago where they did some different arrangements of some of their songs and the Heart of Glass cover was fun.
Their album 'Water & Solutions' is now rightly seen as a huge influence on the likes of Biffy Clyro, but at the time they failed to hit the numbers anticipated by their major label.
If you liked that song, look them up on Spotify. The whole album is there, and two other songs I love: The Goldfish Rising & Donuts and Sharks are my favorites.
Puressence! I used to listen to Only Forever religiously - that album kind of reminded me a bit of a cross between Stone Roses and Manic Street Preachers. It was so good!
FTR, Roger Clyne & PH are still around & the band is now called Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers. They still record & tour & have a new album coming out soon.
They have a HUGE concert in Rocky Point Mexico every June called Circus Mexicus, in January they have January Jam at the same place, there is also a doc about The Refreshments, Here's To Life!
They are best seen live & if they're in your town, get thee to their concert!! Best part is it won't cost you a mortgage payment to see them.
Here's a song I love from a concert I went to, I give you Switchblade.
Let's face it kids, Roger is pretty easy on the eyes, but I have never met more gracious, friendly & hilarious guys. They are always willing to stay & sign stuff, take pics, after the show. Just find the bus & they'll be there.
The band was right on the verge of breaking, and it seems like Dreamworks (the company that bought out Spongebath that they were linked to originally) seems to have purposefully torpedoed them. Matt Mahaffey is still involved in music production (I think the last big thing he did was the soundtrack for the newest TMNT show), but the band he started with isn't doing much
The lost prophets. As tgey were rising in popularity the lead singer strived to fuck a little baby. He also was gound with child pornogaphy and was sentenced to the rest of his life in prison. The rest of his life came sooner than he realized. I hope he suffered and i hope his intentions never come back around if reincarnation is a thing.
“Villains” is full of hits IMO, and I will continue to jam it until I’m dead and gone.
And I think it should be noted that Brian Vander Ark is a very talented singer and songwriter. His solo work is great, and I’d even argue his vocals have gotten better with age.
Arkarna. Somehow a few of their tracks got downloaded into my mp3 library back around 1999-2000, I think they’re fantastic. Maybe they are bigger than I know, I live in America.
Back around 2005 in NYC there was a band called Haver Her Home By Ten. The concept was they were a high school band.
All the members of the band were professional musicians, but for this band they all played instruments they didn’t know well. So they had this awesome sound where they were tight on the beat but a little off for some of the notes.
They had fantastic songs, too. You can find them on streaming services.
I think if Lenny Kravitz went a bit more mainstream he could have been the biggest artist of the 90s and early 2000s. Like the equivalent of 80s Michael Jackson. But he would have like funk or psychedelic or some R&B or soul inspired songs, so at least IMO he never had what felt like a consistent album.
And early in his career I don't think he toured with enough bands / did enough festivals. Like 89/90/91 was his time to really strike and make a difference in music, but he was off in Europe for a lot of it or doing solo shows or private shows. So his fans got to see him but I don't think he did enough to expand his fans when he was white hot.
Testament - Testament has been putting out thrash bangers for decades and decades while Metallica and Slayer have been basically sleeping walking for over 20 years. I love both those bands but Testament's talent is consistent and mostly unwavering. Metalheads know them but despite being just as good, they never got the same notoriety as the other Big 4.
I saw them a few months back. They were the opening act, followed by Guster, and finally Barenaked Ladies. Guster was my favorite and why I bought the tickets, but Fastball killed it with their set. BNL was fine.
They didn’t get bigger because Richard Patrick is an asshole. I saw them as the middle act between Korn and White Zombie in early ‘96. The crowd was only kinda into them after Korn had blown the roof off the venue and Patrick yelled at the crowd that they’re a bunch of Grateful Dead fans. He meant it as an insult but being that this was Tucson everyone cheered because we’re all a bunch of stoners. The one lonely guy who had been crowd surfing during their set was wearing a Dead t-shirt and started yelling at Patrick and flipping him off. Patrick gave him a middle finger back, played one more song then cut the set short. Everyone cheered when they left.
Monster Magnet. All their albums rock and they crush it live. Like Helmet, they’re a big influence on a lot of other bands. They’ve always been too unserious and too stoner-y to ever be a big band but I’m fine with them being in the top tier of underrated, almost-underground bands. That way when you run into another Monster Magnet fan you know they’re cool.
Therapy? They had the perfect heavy but accessible sound on Troublegum that would appeal across the various sections of rock fans. That album went gold in the UK and could've did the same numbers here in the States if A&M had given them a better push. It would have been nice to see them get a little time in the spotlight here in the States in 1994.
Shadows Fall. They were poised to become one of the bigger metal bands in the 2000s but their original label kind of fucked them over when they tried to jump to a major label, and all the people on their team on the major label got fired or reassigned before the album dropped and no one really knew what to do with it. It killed their momentum and they kept soldiering on until they went on hiatus around 2014. After the pandemic they will play a few festival shows a year and maybe a one off here and there, and have new music coming out soon
Hum. They had a minor hit with Stars, but the follow up album was soooooo good. I saw them with Swervedriver (another band I’d nominate) I think sophomore year of college and it was such a great show (and so loud!)
Baditos is one of my favorite 1 hit wonders of the 90s. I recently jumped into a 90s cover project for fun and this was the first song I suggested we do.
Yeah they were amazing. They did two "one off" shows in 2023 and I was lucky enough to see then in Manchester. I'd only seen them one time previously in 1997. Both in my top gigs ever.
Gosh, I wish I’d known about those gigs. I’d have made an effort to go! Great that they’re still in touch and you got to see them again. I can’t believe it’s been 25 years jeez
Definitely the Refreshments! They're amazing Summer good time music. But also Hum and this Bay Area band Overwhelming Colorfast. I've still never met ANYONE irl who likes Overwhelming Colorfast and they were fucking amazing.
I feel like The Refreshments didn't have to work too hard after doing the King of the Hill theme. They definitely weren't super huge, but they wrote one of the most recognizable songs in all of Pop culture.
Saw them at Reading festival in 97 and Milton Keynes bowl in 99, they were so much fun. A girl I had a crush on in sixth form copied their albums onto cassette for me, used to listen to them on the bus to college. Awesome stuff.
my two will always be Flickerstick and Eighteen Visions. Both had everything to be huge and between lack of label support and bad timing it just didn't happen for either.
Obi_Wan_Benobi@reddit
Local H
They still keep it copacetic on tour though.
IceSmiley@reddit
So good and the best live band I've seen, I'm amazed they can do all that with 2 people!
TheObviousChild@reddit
Just saw them open for Everclear. They were pretty good. I liked Sponge’s set better.
TMQ73@reddit
Same, as seeing Sponge play Ploughed was a bucket list. Had kinda forgotten about Local H so I caught up on Setlist FM. Holy hell their set was awesome. At least at our show the best part of the Everclear set was when Scott came out to sing on cover of Black Dog. Honestly Everclear was a letdown.
TheObviousChild@reddit
I’ve absolutely loved everything Everclear has done since the mid 90s which may make me biased, but I loved their set. Art is struggling a bit with MS unfortunately. My kid and I were right up front and Art gave him his pick at the end of the show.
TMQ73@reddit
More like still kick ass on tour.
Helo7606@reddit
Their one album is so good!
Door_Number_Four@reddit
Scott is an absolute treasure to the Chicago scene.
Last time I saw him was a benefit show right after Ric Ocasek died, where he and Michael Shannon did Cars covers all night.
Fresh-Equivalent-591@reddit
Just listened to this today
Fresh-Equivalent-591@reddit
Lol
PotentialPlum4945@reddit (OP)
Their wolf like me cover is awesome.
dropyopanties@reddit
Saw these guys back in the 90s at Lupos Heart Break Hotel . Providence, RI
rarselfaire2023@reddit
They're quite good live, especially for a 2 man band. Seen them with the original drummer Joe Daniels who pounded the shit out of the drums like no one I've seen, and the current one Ryan Harding, who is also really good
duke5572@reddit
Scott still tours like a maniac and the shows are always pretty good, sometimes great.
MarineLayerBitch@reddit
i saw them on tour with Silverchair a very long time ago, they were great.
Particular_Paper_364@reddit
Really like all there work, listen to it all. For all not currently listening , a must listen to album is: “Here Comes the Zoo”. Had the privilege of seeing them hash out songs at Otto’s downtown Dekalb, IL. They local to the Chi. Zion IL.
8sHappen@reddit
So pathetic
wazacraft@reddit
You just don't get it.
Happy_Confection90@reddit
And you don't
Stuporhumanstrength@reddit
I've learned to accept it
Aware_Policy_9174@reddit
Luscious Jackson. I listened to them again recently and it took me right back to 90s coffee shops.
aLongWayFromOldham@reddit
I still listen to them often. I found their magic hour album on Spotify and quite enjoyed it.
DefiantArtist8@reddit
"Beastie Girls"
TheGirlwThePinkHair@reddit
There was a side project too, the Kostars. Amazing!
rarselfaire2023@reddit
Yes. They were really cool.
Professional_Cup1353@reddit
Semisonic.
CorkFado@reddit
Dan Wilson is doing just fine as a songwriter/producer and his social media accounts are full of legitimately solid wisdom that anyone with a regular creative practice would find useful. He’s awesome.
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
I’m glad they went away. How annoying is the song “Closing Time?”
Mr_SunnyBones@reddit
Its not.
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
It’s absolutely terrible.
Mr_SunnyBones@reddit
Bizzarely I was just thinking this when I saw your post . All about Chemistry was a fantastic album..
shorttermparker@reddit
F.N.T. Is a great banger!
CAE80@reddit
My love for Toad the Wet Sprocket knows no bounds.
Mac_A81@reddit
Toad the Wet Sprocket
CAE80@reddit
I love them so much
Cthulhus-Tailor@reddit
Speaking of groups with ‘toad’ in the name, how about The Toadies? Possum Kingdom is the best song ever about either a rape and murder or vampiric seduction, or both.
Great68@reddit
It's funny, they were not a band that I really could connect the name to their songs. Like back in the day I must have heard them occasionally on the radio, but I didn't think much of them. Then a few months ago I was at a local microbrewery that had live music night, and the band that was playing some Toad The Wet Sprocket covers. I was like "I recognize these songs, and I like them" and then consequently went on a deep dive and downloaded all their music for the next few weeks haha
SoupIsNotAMeal@reddit
They are still touring and honestly sound better than ever.
SqueezeBoxJack@reddit
Yeah, the lead singers voice was maybe slightly deeper but it sounded better. Fantastic group, highly recommend Toad live.
Mac_A81@reddit
I know! I saw them a couple years ago and they were fantastic!
rarselfaire2023@reddit
Seen them 4 times. First time in 95 opening for Cranberries [awesome], last time with Marcy Playground opening in 2023. Always good. Wish they still played their hits in the original key but I get it.
orangepaperlantern@reddit
For Toad fans, if you haven’t heard Glen’s solo album Live At the Belly Up, it’s great.
Mac_A81@reddit
I just love Glen. He seems like such a good guy. I’m hoping to see one of his solo shows in February.
Dahleh-Llama@reddit
All I want is to feel this way
withbellson@reddit
I’ve seen them on the road with Big Head Todd & The Monsters (themselves one of my favorite bands) in a Todd/Toad double bill, which is just fun to say.
I love that Toad are named after a fairly obscure Monty Python audio bit written by Eric Idle, who joked that one day he was driving down the highway when the radio announcer said “and that was by Toad the Wet Sprocket!” and he nearly drove off the highway.
Tiny-Reading5982@reddit
Seriously. Them and gin blossoms
Weirdcloudpost@reddit
"They gave us their magic and then they dissappeared..."
misterwrit3r@reddit
Saw them in '95, Hootie and The Blowfish opened for them. By the end of that tour, Hootie had comically eclipsed them in popularity and radio/MTV play. Such a shame...
Icy_Combination_7200@reddit
Superdeluxe
Icy_Combination_7200@reddit
Years Ago https://share.google/cx2HKUudmrYSOcJPV
BKindigochild@reddit
Unida
TMQ73@reddit
Waxing Poetics, The Connells, and Concrete Blonde
DirtRight9309@reddit
i mean to be fair most of these bands y’all are listing were pretty big and had at least one commercial hit 😂
i’ll go with Black Star, even though Mos Def got pretty big on his own
DeathByGoldfish@reddit
Brad. The side project of Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam. There were some real jams in there. Shawn Smith (RIP) was a killer vocalist. Since we are going down side projects, Satchel as well.
Woebetide138@reddit
My man! Brad was the first CD I ever bought. Still love it.
DeathByGoldfish@reddit
Got to see them live once. So good.
tollboothwilson@reddit
a little emo band out if Texas called Novice.
Woebetide138@reddit
Living Colour. Greatest live band I’ve ever seen.
ennuiismymiddlename@reddit
Jeff Buckley
Woebetide138@reddit
He was gonna be huge.
zealot_ratio@reddit
The Civil Wars
The Tea Party
Dar Williams
Guster
The Band (I know they were big in the day, but didn't carryover into future generations like similar bands)
sevnthcrow@reddit
Dar Williams is lovely :)
zealot_ratio@reddit
I met her back in the 90s in NY, and then just not too many years ago got to chat with her again at a show in Texas. It's so weird to see an artist you knew when you were young, after you both age a couple decades. She was still absolutely amazing though.
Walton-E-Haile@reddit
Hum
Walton-E-Haile@reddit
And for those of you who never saw Rage Against the Machine live, you have no idea what that instrument strung over your shoulder is actually FOR.
emwaic7@reddit
Eva 6
KelseyOpso@reddit
I have an opinion that Napster killed Eve 6. This is what big bands like Metallica were talking about during their lawsuit. Eve 6 gained pretty solid popularity with their debut album. Their sophomore album was “Horrorscope” and its lead single was “Promise.” “Here’s To The Night,” which got tons of MTV and radio play was released a few months later. Arguably, that period of time was the peak of Eve 6 popularity. This period of time was also peak Napster 1999-2001.
Despite “Here’s to the Night” being a huge success, Horrorscope sold 550,000 albums, compared to the eponymous debut album selling 1,100,000 albums. Exactly double. Napster killed Eve 6.
MomsSpagetee@reddit
Hmm maybe. I was a big fan of Inside Out and have never heard of any of those tracks from their second album. Maybe they were basically just a one hit wonder and the second album was half as good?
KelseyOpso@reddit
Could be. I’m just sharing my opinion. Honestly, I’m most impressed you’ve never heard “Here’s to the Night.”
houndsoflu@reddit
Agreed. That was a great album, no skips.
THATS_ENOUGH_REDDlT@reddit
Wait wasn’t it Eve 6 or am I experiencing the Mandela effect?
emwaic7@reddit
Yes thanks for pointing it out
Hot_Chapter_1358@reddit
Eve 6?
Accomplished-View929@reddit
I fucking loved this song in high school.
216news@reddit
Hayden
layze23@reddit
Lucky Boys Confusion, they had a couple songs that blew up like "Hey Driver" but they have a couple albums that have quite a few bangers
PengwinPears@reddit
I just got an LBC song stuck in my head this morning.
M_J_E@reddit
Came to say this, glad they are already here! The Soapbox Spectacle is possibly my favorite album of all time.
HeywoodJaBlessMe@reddit
Hell yeah. Great band.
platypus_farmer42@reddit
I was obsessed with Reel Big Fish in high school. Their music is so fun and so good, and they’re so much better than like 95% of other ska bands. I’ll never understand why people hate on ska so much.
Solo4114@reddit
I think ska gets shit because people seem to rediscover it every decade or two, get super into it, and then start wondering if there's more to it than just the sound that it is, discover that this is pretty much what ska is, get their fill, and it fades away for its next cycle of slumber. You know, like cicadas.
adrianhalo@reddit
Ska-cadas
DefiantArtist8@reddit
My lawyers will be in touch to discuss this band name
Available-Maize5837@reddit
Great band name.
Solo4114@reddit
Perfect.
Polkawillneverdie17@reddit
This always bugs me when people think Ska is just third wave (reel big fish, mustard plug) and never learn Ska dates all the way back to the 60s with Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker, The Skatalites or others like The Specials, The Beat, or Madness.
They think ska was this small blip in the 90s and not a decade spanning genre of music from multiple countries.
_1JackMove@reddit
The old island ska, blue beat, and mento is the tea deal good stuff. Desmond is a favorite. I love the 2Tone stuff, too. The Specials were a big influence on my learning ska guitar.
ennuiismymiddlename@reddit
The King!
IkidIgoat@reddit
The Specials are one of my favorites
mismatched-plaid@reddit
It still kills! I just saw mustard plug, suicide machines and less than jake in the past year.
TrentWolfred@reddit
They were a band that I initially wrote off and thought nothing of, but they really won me over when I first saw them live, at a free festival, in May 2000. I will always argue that they were a fantastic live act! I think that was really their strong suit and I ended up seeing them four or five more times between 2000-2004. I can’t defend their corniness, I can only say that they always hit the stage with the goal of showing everyone a good time and had some pretty-solid musicianship to boot!
WritingNerdy@reddit
Beer is one of my fav songs of all time
redditcreditcardz@reddit
I CRANK this jam on the regular. One of my favorite feel good songs
withbellson@reddit
They got to appear in Baseketball, too, and their cover of Take on Me is super fun.
Sell Out was totally a big deal on the radio station I list nd to my senior year.
ReggaeForPresident@reddit
A lot of people don’t like being happy. Thats why they hate ska.
phoenixMM@reddit
I saw a bumper sticker recently that said “Keep honking, I’m listening to ska and you’re in the band now”
Illustrated-skies@reddit
That’s hilarious!
Grinzy@reddit
I audibly guffawed in my office reading this.
Polkawillneverdie17@reddit
Lmao
KingdomOfFawg@reddit
There was supposed to be a 4th wave of ska, but covid restrictions came around and you weren’t allowed to have 11 guys in a studio to record.
Economy-Mango7875@reddit
It's punk rock. But with a trumpet
Hammerhandle@reddit
But have they listened to Voodoo Glow Skulls?
xt0rt@reddit
Shoot the moooooooon!
_1JackMove@reddit
“Radio dispatch do you know who this is?!”. “No, who is this is?!”.
Joker-Smurf@reddit
Reel Big Fish is still in my iTunes library and gets a listen regularly.
Sell outs…
aweedl@reddit
I was in a ska band in the late ‘90s in high school, and while I still listen to some of it from back then, ska really served as a springboard for me to dive deeeeeep into Jamaican music in general and I never really left.
I went from “teenager in a ska-punk band” to “grown man spending way too much time at record stores digging for dancehall 45s on specific labels” fairly quickly.
That being said, Reel Big Fish is one of the few ska bands I loved during the whole third-wave thing that I CAN’T listen to today (no offence, you should like whatever YOU like). I’ve tried, and I find them way too “hey kids, look at us, we’re quirky” in my 40s, while I didn’t have that problem at all at 17.
I still adore ska bands from the ‘90s like the Slackers and Hepcat and the Gadjits… and even RBF’s label mates Goldfinger, whose Hang-Ups LP I think really holds up (although most of the later stuff doesn’t), is still something I listen to from time to time.
Same with the Canadian ska bands of the ‘90s, most of whom my shitty (also Canadian) teenage ska band opened for, sometimes frequently: The Planet Smashers, the Kingpins, Whole Lotta Milka, JFK & the Conspirators, etc. I still listen to all of that stuff.
But I find Reel Big Fish somewhat embarrassing now. No judgement on folks who still enjoy them.
IComposeEFlats@reddit
I don't think RBF rode the "PeNgU1N oF d00m" quirky train nearly as much as the Aquabats did. I will still bop to Take On Me, Sell Out, Beer. They did have some of that though, like with She Has A Girlfriend Now...
But I'm with you in that I lean more towards Five Iron Frenzy, Catch22/Streetlight Manifesto (if you can call them ska...), The Interrupters, Mustard Plug, Goldfinger, etc.
And unless my kids are in the car, I usually skip Aquabats when it comes on my spotify playlists.
aweedl@reddit
The Aquabats were goofy from day one, though. Their transition to a children’s band made complete sense, and I appreciate how hard they leaned into it. That move sort of allowed for their ridiculousness to continue for as long as they want it to.
RBF on the other hand just started to seem pathetic as the years passed and it was just the one aging guy with constant lineup changes and diminishing returns as far as their new albums were concerned.
I don’t blame him for continuing with it, I just aged out of their whole shtick, and unlike the Aquabats, I couldn’t follow their career through my kids, because RBF’s songs are goofy, but the subject matter isn’t exactly kid-friendly in a lot of cases.
I realize a lot of their fans today are people who weren’t born yet at the peak of the third wave thing, so they are approaching all of these bands from a very different perspective from those of us who were in the thick of it, and that’s OK too.
Ok-Cup6020@reddit
That’s because everybody else is an asshole
SortofChef@reddit
Saw them in OKC while on a micro dose of shrooms. The horns were a phenomenal sound!
joshhupp@reddit
It's because they sold out
playtheukulele@reddit
It wasn't ska that made rbf fail; it was how the lead singer treated women that made a lot of us stop going to refine shows or buying the music.
platypus_farmer42@reddit
I haven’t heard about that. What happened?
playtheukulele@reddit
Aaron Barret and Monique Powell dont get along, and if you went to any Save Ferris shows, you'd know that. I still go see Save Ferris when they're in town. She still rocks.
Oaken_beard@reddit
halfcabheartattack@reddit
zoey8068@reddit
Everybodys doin the fish yea yea yea
rotorocker@reddit
I loved them too, and speaking of older ska bands, five iron frenzy is coming to play near me this month
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
Ska is great, but if you think Reel Big Fish is the pinnacle of ska, you might want to expand your listening. They are pretty terrible and I’ve seen them live a few times.
Precious_Tritium@reddit
Disagree! Seen them live in the day and they ruled. To be fair I lost track of them after Why do they Rock so Hard which is a top 5 album for me.
platypus_farmer42@reddit
Unfortunately, as much as it pains me to say it, everything after that pretty much sucks
platypus_farmer42@reddit
I’ve seen them live 4 times. In the 90’s when they still had Scott and Tavis and the rest they were awesome. After that, not so much.
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
Yeah I also saw them in the 90’s a few times. I liked them then, but as I grew older I found bands of the same genre that are so much better.
phoenixMM@reddit
Who invited Debbie?
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
I didn’t realize we weren’t allowed to have different opinions.
shorttermparker@reddit
Why Do They Rock So Hard is always in regular rotation. It’s crazy that is like 25 years old now!
platypus_farmer42@reddit
One of my favorite albums ever.
yayoffbalance@reddit
YES!!! Love them!
S_A_R_K@reddit
Ska sucks,
Ska revival isn't cool you stupid fucks
THATS_ENOUGH_REDDlT@reddit
Wish I had more upvotes to give.
pmmlordraven@reddit
Spacehog for sure
DefiantArtist8@reddit
I got up and ran ran RAN... from Mungo City... on my CD alarm clock every morning back in the days
South_Dakota_Boy@reddit
I love The Chinese Album so much. Maybe the best rock album of 1998 and that’s saying a lot. Almost definitely in the top 5.
pmmlordraven@reddit
Yes! More cohesive than their first. It's a shame the move thing never planned out, since that delayed the album release and stalled any momentum
AngryTree76@reddit
I was hoping they’d get a resurgence when In the Meantime was on the Guardians of the Galaxy 3 soundtrack. Haven’t really seen it though.
Prossdog@reddit
The Meat Puppets are my favorite band. The only hit they had was Backwater and their biggest moment was playing on Nirvana Unplugged.
To be fair, they were too weird to be mainstream though.
pashaah@reddit
I still regularly listen to 'up on the sun'. Its a great album. I listen to it when I paint, it has a great flow.
Prossdog@reddit
One of my favorites. I’ve really never heard anything else like it.
__Sentient_Fedora__@reddit
Convoy
inghostlyjapan@reddit
Probably the biggest one for me is Babylon Whores out of Finland.
They were a great metal/death rock/goth adjacent group that put a couple albums out in the late 90s and early 2000s.
They have a few singles on Spotify and I was able to pick up a (bad not mastered for) vinyl collection.
My CDs are long gone, stolen many years ago.
I have heard they still occasionally do something but living on the other world they may as well be defunct.
Aught_To@reddit
I thought Better than Ezra was so much better than "Good"
thepatientwaiting@reddit
They were my favorite band for a while! Gotta put them on today.
PotentialPlum4945@reddit (OP)
Also:
cozycorner@reddit
Whaahaa it was goooooooood living with you
cozycorner@reddit
I loved them early. I have a relative from Louisiana, and he introduced me to them. I loved Deluxe.
tands@reddit
They absolutely were. How does your garden grow?
thebarbalag@reddit
Hydroponically, according to Kevin at a concert many moons ago.
Cool_Dark_Place@reddit
Maybe I don't really wanna know.
thebarbalag@reddit
They're still going. Saw them live last year. Their new album is great.
Mick_Limerick@reddit
Less than Jake though
RotrickP@reddit
Ghost of me and you
RotrickP@reddit
I played desperately wanting and my oldest daughter asked why I never played it for them before.
I loved BTE and saw them in concert like six times. Great show and crowd interactions. I wish they did non casino tours
_jjkase@reddit
Better than George at least
Govt-Issue-SexRobot@reddit
My first album ever
frenchinhalerbought@reddit
They had a few others. King of New Orleans and Desperately Wanting.
And now the kind of are the kings of New Orleans, locals love them and they kept headlining festivals and that sort of thing.
SoupIsNotAMeal@reddit
I remember running through the wet grass
Skywren7@reddit
I saw them a couple times. I will always like that band.
PotentialPlum4945@reddit (OP)
Insert Norm McDonald quote here.
kevlar51@reddit
I laughed so hard when I saw that live and it still makes me chuckle to this day.
ohwowimonredditcool@reddit
that’s so jim downey
Matt_Benatar@reddit
I think they were less better than good.
Tally_Ho_Lets_Go@reddit
SR-71 - They opened for Lifehouse back in 2002 and were the best thing to come out of a very hit and stuffy night at the Odeon.
malapropistic_spoonr@reddit
The band Sugar.
Fun fact - the lead singer, Bob Mould, wrote the intro to the Daily Show.
the_kid1234@reddit
Refreshments are so great!
Sufficient_Creme_240@reddit
Mekong is a phenomenal song
the_kid1234@reddit
It is!
Mexico is a personal favorite.
ForzaFenix@reddit
I play the live versions of Mekong and Nada a lot.
Happy_Confection90@reddit
It's one of the songs that I know all the words to and sing in the shower 😄
ForzaFenix@reddit
Here's to life!
Substantial_Rise3318@reddit
And subsequently Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers
besleysfw@reddit
Came here to mention them. Fantastic band
pug_fugly_moe@reddit
They just hit right on a hot day.
Much-Diet1423@reddit
Yeah, I mean, Roger Clyne has had a pretty great career outside the mainstream and on his own terms.
FnordRanger_5@reddit
For sure.
I got to see them open for gin blossoms (who were terrible) in a college gym, like 96 ish- they fucken rocked, I bought their tape a couple days later and have been listening to them ever since
ForzaFenix@reddit
https://youtu.be/-o1cwAUejCQ?si=66q2dRqAPoR5NXsf
ForzaFenix@reddit
Still touring as Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers.
Roger is a great songwriter.
AdditionalMustard@reddit
That was my first thought when I saw this thread. Rewatching King of the Hill has reinvigorated my love for that band.
CheckYourStats@reddit
Helmet
Disastrous-Square662@reddit
They are touring Australia soon or just did.
Helo7606@reddit
They still tour. But yeah, it would have been cool to see them get more fame. Awesome band though.
DEATHbyBOOGABOOGA@reddit
Helmet still is the shit. Every friend I’ve told about them becomes obsessed.
pi_guy@reddit
At least with Helmet I see them brought up a lot as being an influence with other bands. And they are still kicking ass live! I saw them a few years ago open for Clutch.
Crunchylunchy@reddit
Clutch is another band that probably belongs on this list.
SqueezeBoxJack@reddit
Oh hell yeah. I got turned onto Clutch later but gd they are good. Ghoul Wrangler and their cover of Fortunate Son - very nice.
My wife describes Neil as "If Tom Segura fronted a ban with the dad bod" and that their videos seem like they were done by AI which makes it awesome. I can't fault the description.
fatbuddha66@reddit
Blast Tyrant is one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
They still make music to this day. I think they’ve done alright for themselves.
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
Helmet is still around. They’ve had a long career.
djsynrgy@reddit
The prompt wasn't "who do you wish had more longevity," or "who do you wish were still performing."
Success is relative, but compared to countless other acts of the era, they remained largely unknown.
Helmet (or Paige Hamilton as "Helmet", anyway,) has had a long career, granted, but they never really made the proverbial marquee. Their brush with mass popularity began and ended with Meantime. Their closest brush with fame was their brief cameo in The Jerky Boys movie – which was immediately overshadowed by Ozzy Osbourne's cameo.
They've had virtually zero attention from the media since then. I was a fan, but without looking it up first, I couldn't tell you anything they did after Betty (1994.)
They never reached 'household name' status, and even a bunch of kids who liked them, couldn't name more songs than Unsung and Milquetoast. Paige has (or had) an ESP endorsement/signature-model, but nobody outside of a subset of guitar players would know about that.
Sure, that they were more successful than nearly any other band flirting with 'hardcore', but that's kinda the point: Hardcore-ish was always a niche genre appealing mostly to young dudes with excess rage. 🤷🏼♂️
SicilianShaver77@reddit
First crossed my path on the 'The Crow', soundtrack. Wished I'd heard more classmates/friends listening to them like NIN and White Zombie, instead we got ICP.
B_Reele@reddit
My claim to fame is going to a bar on a Tuesday night with Page many years back. He’s best friends with one of my best friends. My friend calls me and is all, “you wanna go have a drink with Page at Minnie’s tonight?” Um, yes!
Super cool guy. Told us stories back in the 90s touring with other bands. Said Axl was a dick. A tale as old as time lol
CheckYourStats@reddit
Great story.
OptimusWang@reddit
Their cover of the Gigantor theme song is so damned good.
aweedl@reddit
SO good. Agreed.
genericusername0176@reddit
Every tweaker I’ve known loves Helmet for some reason.
WritingNerdy@reddit
I saw Helmet twice in 8th grade!
aweedl@reddit
I feel like they’re accurately rated, especially in terms of lasting influence/impact.
First three records absolutely fucking rule.
Adventurous-Pea8354@reddit
The Spill Canvas
ffphier@reddit
Operation Ivy
guidevocal82@reddit
Semisonic. I know they had one major hit with Closing Time, but listen to all four of their studio albums. Completely brilliant from front to back. I also don't get why their following album (after Closing Time) called "All About Chemistry" didn't sell well, it was probably the best album of 2001.
jemimako@reddit
I don’t have an actual answer to this, but just wanted to say that I haven’t heard or thought about this song in nearly 30 years, but as soon as it played I realized I knew every single word 😂😂 So thank you OP for the unexpected trip down memory lane
Tripl3Dee@reddit
Veruca Salt.
gutens@reddit
Harvey Danger
Yeah we all know Flag Pole Sitta, but that whole album is awesome.
After_Match_5165@reddit
Carlotta Valdez pops into my head at the most random times
SailNW@reddit
Their other albums are great too. I loved Flagpole Sitta and didn’t really get to know the band beyond that, but around 2011 I heard Little Round Mirrors on the indie radio station (KZME back then) in Portland and fell in love. Had to buy everything of theirs after that.
celtssoxpat@reddit
The whole album is awesome, and the next two albums are arguably as good if not better. Criminally underrated band.
rarselfaire2023@reddit
Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone is one of my fav 90s albums. I'd love to see them [again, I did catch a few songs at a radio festival in 98] if they tour again
Mr_SunnyBones@reddit
I the UK and Ireland they're mostly known for the Peep Show theme tune.
Solo4114@reddit
Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo is, in my opinion, the better song.
therealpopkiller@reddit
Buffalo Tom
The Muffs
Fig Dish
that dog.
Ash
SailNW@reddit
Ash! Never hear anyone talking about them!
SailNW@reddit
Good to know! Thanks!
therealpopkiller@reddit
My all-time #2, love them so much. They just put out a new record!
Kade7596@reddit
Project 86.
NotEvsClone81@reddit
The Drag. They were a local Myrtle Beach band that had a video on 120 minutes once. I found a sealed copy of their album at some hole-in-the-wall record store in Tennessee several years ago and bought it for the nostalgia factor
_buffy_summers@reddit
The Getaway People
evanweb546@reddit
Neutral Milk Hotel
Threetimes3@reddit
"Aeroplane" is one of the best albums of the 90s, but it never could have gotten mainstream acceptance, it's too weird.
DEATHbyBOOGABOOGA@reddit
Replying to bootsie79...
Threetimes3@reddit
You seriously think something like "Oh Comely" could in any way be a "big" song? Let's not get delusional just because you like it
DEATHbyBOOGABOOGA@reddit
Just look at the way weirder albums that were big in the 90s.
Pork Soda by Primus?
Automatic for the People - R.E.M.
Hello Nasty by the Beastie Boys?
The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
Every Ween album in the 90s
Presidents of the United States of America?
I’m just saying.
King of Carrot Flowers Pts 1&2 could’ve been bigger.
Threetimes3@reddit
There are many problems with the list you put together, but one of the main issues is that you try to compare "weird/fun" and "weird/sad". You can be quirky and weird and sing about peaches all day long, and people will laugh. If you write weird songs about parents having a fight it's got to work in a different way to connect with people (like in your example of "Everybody Hurts", which while sad, has a more beautiful sound).
You also miss the fact that Jeff doesn't have a traditional sounding voice, the recordings are very unpolished, and also that the album came out in the late 90s, when the alternative scene was, I'd say, starting to wane in mainstream popularity.
DEATHbyBOOGABOOGA@reddit
It was just a thorough rebuttal of your original claim that it was “too weird” to be mainstream. Now you’re splitting hairs. It didn’t make it big but it wasn’t because it was “too weird”. Less marketing or less marketable? Sure. But the 90s are replete with “weird” albums that made it big.
Threetimes3@reddit
To be blunt, not a single one of the albums you listed is as far from the mainstream sensibilities as NMH. Your examples are awful.
DEATHbyBOOGABOOGA@reddit
I just don't think your experience of 90s music is that broad, if you think In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is in any way "weird", let alone (YOUR WORDS) "too weird". Jeff Mangum was fucking weird, sure. If anything, the album wasn't huge because of his flake-out and the band's breakup.
Threetimes3@reddit
Yes, I can't compare to your knowledge of weird albums... like "Hello Nasty".
DEATHbyBOOGABOOGA@reddit
Oh yeah, you think songs like "Dr. Lee, PHD", "Song for Junior", or "Song for the Man" really captured the zeitgeist of 1998, do you? Get a grip.
Threetimes3@reddit
To the people downvoting me, I mean at the end of the day I'm right. The album WASN'T a hit. It WAS too weird for the mainstream, and the album is a cult classic at best.
This is also coming from somebody who had a copy of the album back in 99, I've been on the NMH train from back when Elephant Six was still active.
evanweb546@reddit
but_does_she_reddit@reddit
I have not thought about them in YEARSSSSS
GrungeCheap56119@reddit
Love them!!
Combatical@reddit
Eh thats kind on him though.
DashboredPro@reddit
Anybody remember Jump Little Children? Loved them
NotEvsClone81@reddit
Saw them once in Chapel Hill, not my kind of band, but the girl I was with loved them
elevencharles@reddit
https://i.redd.it/aap3qsk97izf1.gif
Polaris
NotEvsClone81@reddit
Even more incoherent and amazing today
Crunchylunchy@reddit
Clutch
NotEvsClone81@reddit
Got to see them with Primus several years ago in Raleigh and it was amazing. It was threatening rain the whole way there from Myrtle Beach and up until Primus really got going, then the clouds cleared out, and the music dominated the city that day
Dan_Berg@reddit
On one hand I agree they deserve to be selling out stadiums, but on the other I think they're the perfect size especially since they own the rights to most of their music now. They can make a pretty comfortable living without all the traps of superstardom
Mind-of-Jaxon@reddit
I really liked COLD.
I remember hearing the lead singer ended his life. Which is terrible, was looking forward to more from them
KlassenT@reddit
Sure you aren't confusing them with another artist? This was news to me, and I can't find any reference to such.
Mind-of-Jaxon@reddit
Holy shit dude! I could’ve sworn it was him. But chat says nope aside from some rumours …he is still Alive .
And the song I thought they did. Their big break out… wasn’t even them… I was thinking of Saliva…. That lead singer didn’t die either but broke up…
My mind is blown.
zixy37@reddit
Ingram Hill. One of their songs was even on 13 Going on 30 (cab ride). Although I have (somewhere!) an early cd and recently listened to their song “Chicago” on Apple Music and it was destroyed. All of the soul and emotion was sucked out of the song and it sounded like any generic 90s- early 2000s band.
anhydrousslim@reddit
Screaming Trees
mountaingoat120@reddit
Just discovered a new fav song the other day: No One Knows. Hits so good
decoy79@reddit
Check out “Song for the Dead”. Lanegan sings lead on it and it’s a great song.
anhydrousslim@reddit
I think they’re talking about the Trees song, not the better known Queens song of the same name.
decoy79@reddit
Probably so. I don’t know that one.
anhydrousslim@reddit
My favorite is Dying Days. A masterpiece IMO
Aught_To@reddit
If not for the Smashing Pumpkins I think screaming trees would have been so much more popular.
anhydrousslim@reddit
I’m not sure SP has anything to do with it, though I’d be interested to hear why you think that. From my perspective, they had 2 things that held them back:
(1) The Connor brothers were very overweight and effectively unmarketable at a time when that mattered
(2) Lanegan’s drug use severely delayed the follow up to their breakout album, by the time Dust came out their momentum, and really the grunge movement, was gone
aweedl@reddit
I think both of those are good points. It sucks that appearance matters for marketing, but it really did back then, and when half the band is obese — in a time when obesity was somewhat less common than it is now — it unfortunately was a factor.
Fantastic band, though. RIP Lanegan and Van Conner.
FooFightingManiac@reddit
I mean in fairness it still does matter to the industry. How many “fat” artists do you know that are around today? Biggie and Blues travelers lead singer were both big in both senses of the matter back then
anhydrousslim@reddit
Some genres it seems to matter more than others.
Blues Traveler had hits but were never really “cool” as I recall it. They had an older audience. For a hard rock band, you have to seem cool, and the Connors were just not cool. I mean no disrespect, they are my favorite band, I just think that held them back regarding popularity.
n8rzz@reddit
Blind Melon
aweedl@reddit
‘Soup’ is a top-ten ‘90s LP across all genres and I will die on that hill.
Such a misunderstood band because “No Rain” was SO huge.
n8rzz@reddit
That’s a good hill
BasketballButt@reddit
Soup was one of the best albums of its era. Just loaded with amazing tracks, no filler.
rsauer1208@reddit
I recently found out that Shannon was on Guns n Roses Use your Illusion II after he moved out there to LA from his hometown, where his older sister was friends with Axl Rose. Axl him on Estranged and Don't Cry for backing. Blew my mind and had to go back and listen. Clear as day now, it's Shannon Hoon's voice coming blaring out in those tracks.
Nico was an album I'd happily buy again and again, just to fall back into some of those arrangements and demo tracks.
Electronic_World_894@reddit
Shannon Hoon‘s death is the reason they didn’t get bigger.
frenchinhalerbought@reddit
I want to be, I want to be a little more like Vernie.
CanesFanInTN@reddit
What a garden she had!
Sheshnation@reddit
They were big. "No Rain" was all over pop culture. Shannon Hoon's OD death R.I.P. stopped long term momentum. With that voice they would have been bigger and still could be big now.
HearingDue2119@reddit
Their popularity had kinda tanked when he passed away on the tour for Soup.
Mav3r1ck77@reddit
His OD was a weird night at the Numbers club in Houston.
CptnMayo@reddit
Absolutely.
Aught_To@reddit
it was such a .... different sound. I love Tones of Home so much, its pure comfort food for me.
cornpudding@reddit
I think Tones of Home is a perfect song. Not one note out of place. Every sound has room to breathe
Solo4114@reddit
Tones of Home was a great tune, but honestly I could not stand No Rain. Probably due to over-exposure at the time and just not loving Shannon Hoon's voice in that song.
On the other hand, it was memorable enough that I still remember the dude's name.
frenchinhalerbought@reddit
The ripped away version hits hard
halfcabheartattack@reddit
Agreed. I first heard this refered to as the "Heroin'd out" version. Here it is live for anyone who hasn't heard it, it's worth a listen: No Rain - Ripped Away Live
timothypjr@reddit
My favorite among their songs.
cornedbeef101@reddit
I only wanted to be sixteen… and free yeah
nicunta@reddit
Mouthful of Cavaties is such a great song. I still love Blind Melon.
YEMolly@reddit
I’m delighted to find was the top response when I opened thread. I feel like they could have been so massive if not for Shannon’s untimely death. 💔
NewEnglandNerdy@reddit
This is my choice.
anecdotal_yokel@reddit
Refused
But they were kinda too punk to get really big.
brokenman82@reddit
Nada surf
halfcabheartattack@reddit
KEXP plays them regularly still
brokenman82@reddit
I saw them several years ago. It was weird how ‘popular’ stuck out like a sore thumb
Mindless-Stuff2771k@reddit
It's their worst song frankly.
thebarbalag@reddit
I saw them live in college circa Popular. Not worth the price of the ticket. Maybe just not to my taste.
soapforsoreeyes@reddit
They really kicked ass when I saw them earlier this year. Their 2010s output is phenomenal
Happy_Confection90@reddit
They were in the lineup of the first concert I went to in college. They plus Jewel and The Bodeans.
GrungeCheap56119@reddit
I'm head of the class I'm popular I'm a quarterback I'm popular My mom says I'm a catch I'm popular I'm never last picked I got a cheerleading chick
sevnthcrow@reddit
Deadeye Dick… New Age Girl was catchy as hell but they had other songs I really dug. Kinda the same with Del Amitri, Roll to Me was freakin everywhere but I loved the whole album.
Fountains of Wayne pre Stacy’s Mom? Does that count?
Skywren7@reddit
The Gits deserved to be bigger. Mia deserved to live. R.I.P.😞
sevnthcrow@reddit
Someone first played “Another Shot of Whiskey” for me circa 2005 and I had to listen to everything I could as fast as I could.
chrisdotcomm@reddit
Pavement.
….and I cannot believe this hasn’t been already stated.
PhoneJazz@reddit
Fountains of Wayne. They were so much more than MILF aficionados.
sevnthcrow@reddit
Yes! Loved them!
AuntieMameDennis@reddit
I saw them open for Smashing Pumpkins in 1997. I emailed them saying how much I enjoyed their set (their CD was on repeat in our small dorm.) The lead singer wrote back and said "Thanks! Next time we'll add more fireworks." Still remember his response word for word.
Lauuson@reddit
Adam Schlesinger (RIP) wrote music for the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend TV show which was also very underrated and worth checking out.
Door_Number_Four@reddit
The best, hands down. Beatles level talent in understanding harmony.
StarFaerie@reddit
I was looking for this answer. They deserved to be huge.
EastTXJosh@reddit
I never understood why the Tragically Hip weren’t bigger in the United States. I had a friend in college from Canada that introduced me and I couldn’t believe I had never heard their music (I had heard of the band). This was in the 90’s and my knowledge of music was shaped almost entirely by the radio.
Starboard_Pete@reddit
Omg. I saw them in my (U.S.) hometown in 2000 and they asked the audience who was local. A couple of cheers. Then they asked who was down from Canada…..the place went nuts.
They were SO good live. Gord Downie spotted my hat from stage (fuzzy cheetah print cowboy hat from Gadzooks, I think). He jumped offstage and stole it from me and wore it for half the show, then jumped back down and returned it to me. I didn’t realize what a massive deal that was until years later when I was talking with a Canadian super fan at work. He was so jealous.
besleysfw@reddit
I grew up in Northern NY and watched/listened to a lot of Canadian media going up. I was surprised to learn that they weren’t popular in the US when I moved, nobody here has heard of them
BasketballButt@reddit
Grew up on the border of Washington and BC, had the same experience. So many great Canadian bands l heard all the time on radio stations out of Vancouver that never hit in the US. Still don’t really understand why The Tea Party never popped in the states.
Economy-Mango7875@reddit
From Rochester and on cold clear night I got the music. Definitely different music
aweedl@reddit
I love that you can still turn on any rock radio station here in Canada and it’s a virtual guarantee that you’ll hear the Hip within about a half hour of listening.
I always liked how they were ‘ours’ and were too Canadian for folks in the U.S. to claim. The fact that our entire country basically shut down to watch their last-ever concert live on TV is still kind of incredible.
EastTXJosh@reddit
So many Canadian bands got a ton of radio air time in the 99’s: Our Lady Peace, Cool for August, Finger Eleven, but not Tragically Hip. I don’t know why.
aweedl@reddit
Interesting. I have NEVER heard of Cool for August and I’m Canadian and (obviously, as a member of this group) the right age.
(Just looked them up, apparently they were US-based despite the frontman being Canadian, and they never charted here).
Economy-Mango7875@reddit
From the Buffalo area. My cousin was and is a huge fan. Along with kids in the hall show. I am 8 years younger and didn't get into it
zealot_ratio@reddit
I remember the first time I saw them in concert (had grown up watching them on CBC now and again). They were opening (sadly) for (BNL? Guster? someone like that) at a theme park in western NY. Most of the open air area crowd was already there, waiting for the show to start. We hear a rumble in the distance, and then a chanting, and then, like 4 million people spill into the area carrying a gigantic Canadian flag chanting HIP HIP HIP HIP HIP. It was amazing. Then they came out and launched into 100th Meridian. Amazing show.
Deep-Ad4351@reddit
Long live Gord ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
monkeysknowledge@reddit
I wish Nirvana never got big. Pretty sure Kurt would still be alive today making awesome music. He probably would’ve chilled out in his thirties and given his talent and love of music, I’m sure he would’ve ventured into some wonderful musical territory.
Electronic_World_894@reddit
On the flip side, would we have The Foo Fighters if Nirvana didn’t get big?
monkeysknowledge@reddit
Maybe - or something similar. Have you ever heard Grohl’s demo album “Pocket Watch”? He wrote it during his time with Nirvana.
Electronic_World_894@reddit
No I haven’t … gotta go look that up!
handytendonitis@reddit
Wanna see what Kurt would be like as an old man? Look at Buzz and Dale of the Melvins. That's exactly who he would be.
Key-Leading-3717@reddit
Not sure about that. I think Kurt always had a need to "prove" himself in ways that Buzz and Dale don't. I think Kurt was a genuine soul but also struggled for acceptance, whereas Buzz/Dale seem to give no fucks.
handytendonitis@reddit
I'm not sure I agree with you there. I haven't dug into the millions of pages folks have written about him after the fact but I feel like the opposite is true. He was desperate to be accepted by Buzz and Dale while alive. So I'm not sure he would give fucks about anyone other than that.
Key-Leading-3717@reddit
You highlight that he was desparate to be accepted by Buzz/Dale, which I agree with and think it's an example of a larger need for acceptance. There's lot of evidence (including testimony from people closest to him - Krist Novoselic and his manager) that Kurt wanted to be "really famous" and worked diligently to project a certain image. I think what he struggled with was that often times his fame and his personality did not coalesce, and often contradicted each other. He wanted the recognition without the responsibility. And it happened so fast that there was no break-in period.
handytendonitis@reddit
Oh yeah I agree with much of what you say here. But for a working class kid to go through such changes so fast, I can't imagine anyone who could handle it. To go from being picked on and bullied in high school to being compared to the Beatles in less than 10 years is a total mind fuck.
indicus23@reddit
I always loved the old anime music video done to this song with clips of Lupin III. Classic.
Helo7606@reddit
Crash Test Dummies. Their first album was great. It just got overshadowed by the one song.
Len. They're a one hit wonder with a song that sounded nothing like the rest of the album. Which was a heat album.
SubjectSeesaw6228@reddit
Ned's Atomic Dustbin
Kilowatt128@reddit
Belly
Accurate-Force3054@reddit
still mad I didn't see them with Radiohead at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Not like I was actually seeing rock concerts back then but that was my first concert FOMO.
Mr_SunnyBones@reddit
Yes! They had a weird revival when Seal My Fate was used in an episode of Rick and Morty.
No_Attention_2227@reddit
Bloodhound gang
mel060@reddit
They are lyrical geniuses.
blauerschnee@reddit
At first I was like, huh? The Bloodhound Gang was actually pretty successful, right?
Then I looked at their discography and realized they were mostly big in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the UK.
Unlike the English Wikipedia page, the German article on their discography says:
“Their most successful release is their third studio album Hooray for Boobies, with more than 3.4 million copies sold. Over one million of those were sold in Germany alone, making it one of the country’s best-selling albums of the 1990s.”
M0stAsteL3sS@reddit
Saw their homecoming show in Lancaster a few years back. They put on a hell of a show.
I know they're not from Lancaster, but they called it their homecoming show.
namdekan@reddit
Eve 6, Eagles of Death Metal, Camp Lo
mel060@reddit
Agree on eagles of death metal!
Inevitable_Room2535@reddit
Eve 6 played at my college my junior year, I was on the hospitality committee for the student activities council which basically meant an all access pass to the band. Being a rock child of the 90's I was DEEPLY enamored with them and absolutely psyched to be their lackey for the evening. That is until they showed up an hour late, played a 30 minute set (the minimum for the contract), walked off the stage and just...left. They were absolutely miserable, they did play Inside Out and Open Road Song at least. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
On the other hand the following year Piebald played and you could not have asked for a chiller group of dudes. They remain one of my favorite bands to date and I catch them whenever I can.
thebarbalag@reddit
Eve 6 really holds up. One pop rock banger after another. Their lead signer is hilarious.
Peja1611@reddit
Eagles of Death Metal are so fun! New Radicals has a great album, but had such a crash out they were a one hit wonder. Aimee Mann and Fiona Apple are who the Swifties think Taylor Swift is. Both of those women make such amazing music.
Boo-erman@reddit
I have absorbed so many 75 cent words from Fiona Apple. She's a total wordsmith.
Sabres00@reddit
The Sheila Divine
The Tea Party
The Tragically Hip (In the US)
Electronic_World_894@reddit
The Tea Party were big in Canada … they were one of the loudest bands I’ve ever seen live (late 90s & early 2000s).
zealot_ratio@reddit
The Tea Party is just amazing. So musically layered and dense. I think their first album was their peak, but damn they were great
here_we_go2324@reddit
Splendor Solis was just...epic. I still listen to it from time to time. I'm assuming you are Canadian, if you are, do you remember their set Intimate and Interactive on Much Music? The best one MM ever put on.
zealot_ratio@reddit
No, but grew up on the border, so CBC was one of three channels we got:) Much Music, Ear to the Ground, etc, Classic stuff.
here_we_go2324@reddit
Ear to the Ground! I haven't thought about that show in so long, you just triggerred a bunch of memories watching it in my friend's basement in high school. Thanks!
BasketballButt@reddit
l mentioned them further up as a band l still can’t believe never blew up in the states. They were a way more interesting Live.
somenemophilist@reddit
So glad The Sheila Divine is still making music!
cryingpotato49@reddit
Squirrel nut zippers
tpwb@reddit
They Might Be Giants.
Turns out they aren’t.
Solo4114@reddit
They're still around, and actually are beloved by many parents for their terrific kids music. Like, it's kids music that doesn't make you want to shove knitting needles into your ears. Them, Caspar Babypants (lead singer of Presidents of the United States of America), and Barenaked Ladies form the backbone of a Pandora station I heavily curated for my kid starting when she was around 2 years old. She's almost 10 and still loves that channel, and I still kinda dig it, too.
cryingpotato49@reddit
Theme song for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! Hot dog
tpwb@reddit
I was answering the question. I wish they were bigger. Like I wish they were actually giants.
Moxie_Stardust@reddit
Sounds like a TMBG fan alright.
paisleymanticore@reddit
Ben Folds Five and Marcy Playground are two that I love and felt went mostly unrecognized. I just skip "Sex and candy" on the one Marcy album and "Brick" on the Ben Folds Five album and it's like I never had to get sick of hearing those. Or depressed, Brick always made me sad.
SharpThinker951@reddit
Juliet's Wishing Well - Dover DE Last Gentleman - Champaign IL After School Special - Libertyville IL
Express_Test6677@reddit
Jackopierce, I put them on par with Toad and Big Head Todd, just never caught on
supertech636@reddit
Stroke 9! That Nasty Little Thoughts album is fire. Whole thing. Great album.
Zealousideal-Top325@reddit
Letters and Next Time are great songs
albertkoholic@reddit
The white stripes
Subtlehavok@reddit
Massively successful, don’t know how much bigger they could have been
Zealousideal-Top325@reddit
They are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Thamnophis660@reddit
Sponge was decently well known at the time but I felt should have been bigger. Rotting Piñata almost perfectly embodied 90's alternative for me.
Also the bands Live, Candlebox and God Lives Underwater I felt could have been bigger.
Illustrated-skies@reddit
Sponge is currently touring. I missed them in my city 😭
Thamnophis660@reddit
I'd certainly see them if they came to my area
Thehollowpointninja1@reddit
Dude Rotting Piñata is like taking a Time Machine straight to the mid 90s.
Illustrated-skies@reddit
Love the whole album
Thamnophis660@reddit
I agree, something about the overall sound and feel is extremely early-mid 90's for me.
xt0rt@reddit
Hell yeah GLU! I still have a drum stick from when I saw them in highschool!
jibegirl@reddit
Garbage
CanesFanInTN@reddit
I got to see them as the middle act on Beck‘s Odelay tour. Atari Teenage Riot (hardcore techno) opened and then the Cardigans took the stage. Unfortunately the crowd wasn’t receptive to them and booed them the whole time. It was quite unfortunate.
jibegirl@reddit
Ugh bummer. Scratching my head as to why they would have been booed. Did they play songs spanning the 3 albums that were released back then? Or was it just a focus on First Band On The Moon?
CanesFanInTN@reddit
It was a very strange crowd for sure. College campus in the south. Lovefool had been out for a bit, but it felt like a rock show and they felt a bit more Pop. My guess is Atari Teenage Riot got the metal heads all hyped up and it was such a different style of music that they couldn’t handle it. Who knows. I remember them being not as bad as the grief they were getting, but wasn’t my cup of tea at the time.
Going back and listening now, I’d enjoy the show much more! At the time I had just gotten my license the week before and was just just stoked to be able to go to shows! My musical taste has thankfully expanded tremendously since then.
Don’t remember of the setlist, but listening now there’s some familiar sounds. I love how music can take you right back to a certain place and time.
rarselfaire2023@reddit
Pretty big, but overlooked by some bc of their monster hit. All their other songs are good.
Mr_SunnyBones@reddit
The Cardigans were pretty damn big , outside the US anyway
PoopyMcpants@reddit
Marcy Playground.
PoopyMcpants@reddit
Ultraspank
Door_Number_Four@reddit
There is an alternate dimension where Bad Religion was bigger than say…the Offspeing…and this current timeline could have been avoided.
DjOverEZ@reddit
Jellyfish.
SailNW@reddit
One thousand percent. Two Albums?! That’s all we get?! Booooo. Luckily most of the former members still make music in some way or another.
The_Spectacle@reddit
Jawbox
BIIIIIID-@reddit
James
Substantial_Rise3318@reddit
Uncle Tupelo, The Jayhawks, Blue Mountain, The Honeydogs, Tim Easton to name a few
Door_Number_Four@reddit
It is sad that I had to scroll this far for Uncle Tupelo.
There’s a generation of small town kids that had to move away to live where that was our soundtrack, our story.
bhub01@reddit
The refreshments did the opening song to king of the hill
LilAbeSimpson@reddit
Oh wow I didn’t know that. Hopefully they signed a good royalties deal.
Door_Number_Four@reddit
Mike Judge made sure they were taken care of.
Slim_Calhoun@reddit
The Urge 😭
Door_Number_Four@reddit
I’m going to the liquor store.
thebarbalag@reddit
Literally my first concert.
FunksGroove@reddit
They still play concerts and are just as good. They played pointfest in STL and honestly were better than 311.
purpleteenageghost@reddit
PTMFUS!
Slim_Calhoun@reddit
They were (and still are) so fun
thatguyworks@reddit
Soul Coughing
Door_Number_Four@reddit
They were the second worst band that radio station PAs had to deal with. M. Doughty is a real piece of work.
( Sugar Ray was the worst…IYKYK about Mark McGrath)
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
Soul Coughing was great. Got to see them live back in the late 90’s. They put on a killer show.
genericusername0176@reddit
I saw them a year or two ago and are still great.
wharpua@reddit
I saw them on that tour and it made me wish they’d tour with horns, recreate some of those samples with live instruments
It was a great show
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
I had no idea that they got back together.
besleysfw@reddit
They’re doing another tour soon. I’m hoping to see them sometime, they haven’t come close
stucking__foned@reddit
Circles was one of my favorite songs
MNxpat33@reddit
They were and still are very popular in the Twin Cities:)
MomsSpagetee@reddit
Why the Cities specifically?
MNxpat33@reddit
Minneapolis & St Paul (aka The Twin Cities) metro area in Minnesota, US
MomsSpagetee@reddit
Ha yeah I know, but I’m wondering why Soul Coughing is popular specifically in the Cities? Any particular reason,
MNxpat33@reddit
The radio station Rev105 played them a lot. That was the cool alternative radio station that was independently owned, so it was an awesome way to learn about new music.
zealot_ratio@reddit
They were such a 90s band. Like I can't hear them without feeling like I'm in a smoky coffee shop. Great all around though.
Feisty-Extension-20@reddit
They just went on tour again last year, pretty shocking after reading Mike Doughty's autobiography and finding out how much animosity there was between him and the rest of the band.
Edgarmustavas@reddit
True dreammmssssss...
...of Wichitaaa
aRealPanaphonics@reddit
I think Gin Blossoms deserves more critical reanalysis, moreso than being bigger.
Too many lump them in with late 90s bands where they’re really a late 80s band that blew up in the early 90s and set the stage for the alt-pop-rock era to come.
OptimusWang@reddit
I lived Gin Blossoms until a few years ago when I learned what they did to their original guitarist that wrote all of their hits. Now… yikes. It’s like being a Harry Potter fan after learning what a garbage person JK Rowling is.
aRealPanaphonics@reddit
In their defense, the dude had a massive drinking problem. Couldn’t even get through the recording of their debut record, let alone tour. That’s when the label and managers stepped in to tell them it’s unsustainable to move forward with him.
I mean what would most people do? It sounds like they tried to get him help for a while. But then when you’re on the precipice of your debut album and this guys goes off the rails, what do you do?
It’s an all-around shame because he was a musical genius. “Found Out About You” is one of the best pop songs of that era and NME is a timeless album. But I think the whole 90s era “sold out your friend” narrative ignores the impact mental health issues have on others as well.
OptimusWang@reddit
Not arguing any of that. I’m talking about what they did after their music blew up: he was homeless/destitute from addiction, so they withheld his money until he signed over his rights to the publishing royalties.
Door_Number_Four@reddit
Thank you for saying this. Kind of a monkeys paw situation…..you get big, and then it’s kind of exposed who the creative genius was.
SoupIsNotAMeal@reddit
I agree.
Critical-Range1213@reddit
Tripping daisy
jarosity@reddit
Hum. Digable Planets.
Both got some radio play for an early career hit. Both followed up with amazing albums that were largely ignored.
Door_Number_Four@reddit
It is scary how Hum just puts out these amazing albums every couple years.
Kind of the opposite of these .90s nostalgia cruise ship bands.
trainwreckhappening@reddit
Stars has been my secret favorite song since I was 15. Ironically I drive trains now.
cloudydays2021@reddit
I am so fucking excited to see Hum next year. They’re playing a few dates. It’s a dream.
jarosity@reddit
Whoa, really?! I gotta find a way to see them. Wasn’t sure what their status was since Bryan passed.
cloudydays2021@reddit
Yeah they’re playing a few dates in May - NYC, Chicago and LA, I think?? Jason Gerken is on the drums. Check it out!
Yankee_Jane@reddit
I still remember where I was the first time I heard the song Stars because it was kind of a life altering experience at the time (when I was 13 and just starting to feel ways about stuff).
onecharmingschmuck@reddit
Hum Is still doing festival sets and bringing in huge crowds. They also released their 4th album, Inlet in 2020.
jarosity@reddit
Inlet is great!
onecharmingschmuck@reddit
Agreed! Hum is one of my bucket list bands I still need to see.
EnglishSteven@reddit
You ever listen to Shabazz Palaces? It's Ishmael Butler (Butterfly) from Digable Planets hip hop group from the 2010's. Their first 3 or 4 albums are excellent.
Also if you like Hum, I recommend the band Cloakroom, they put out an awesome album recently.
jarosity@reddit
Love the Shabazz Palaces. Recent albums aren’t the best but there is still enough there to be interesting. Wish Baba Maraire was still part of the group. Happy that Ishmael found a way to keep giving us music. I also like Brookzill! which features ladybug and prince paul.
therealpopkiller@reddit
You’d Prefer an Astronaut is an incredible record and it’s still only their third best
L31121@reddit
Dishwalla. Yeah, they had that "one hit wonder' back in '96, but the album it's on (Pet Your Friends) is actually pretty solid.
Jifeeb@reddit
Home Grown
undergo7@reddit
That damn Surfer girl
pnutnz@reddit
Alphashift from wellington, New Zealand should've been bigger than they made it. Just couldn't quite break through to the next level.
finite_user_names@reddit
Ladytron.
_plays_in_traffic_@reddit
im gonna keep i local and say Jimmies Chicken Shack
TacoDestroyer420@reddit
WEEN MANG
noonesaidityet@reddit
Failure
Quicksand
Stavesacre
Helmet
Will Haven
Houston
Chavez
Shiner
For the most part, most of them have at least been pretty influential on other bands.
CBDeee-Lite@reddit
Lush
Luminaire_Ultima@reddit
Lit . ‘ A Place in the Sun ‘ is an absolutely amazing album.
CBDeee-Lite@reddit
I’ve recently rediscovered the song Zip-Lock and it makes me feel like it’s 1997 and the world is my oyster and everything is okay
Absofrickinlutely@reddit
The Fat Boys
Matt_Benatar@reddit
There was a band back in the 90s called Sammy, and they had one great album called Tales of Great Neck Glory - it was blatantly influenced by Pavement, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it a ripoff. Anyway, most of the tracks are really catchy and the album is virtually unknown.
OpheliaDarkling@reddit
Yes...Tripping Daisy's Jesus Hits and their self titled final album were both majorly overlooked. Both fantastic records. Elastic Firecracker was great but it's a shame that's all the momentum they were allowed with only 2 singles. They are one of my favourite groups.
Lake2two@reddit
2 Skinee J's
Radiant-Mycologist72@reddit
I think Monster Magnet are a great band and had some success in the 90's, I think they massively underrated.
uncle_monty@reddit
Mansun were one of the best UK bands of their era, but kind of got lost amongst all the Blur and Oasis noise.
The Stone Roses deserved to be what Oasis became. They're an iconic band as it is, but they would've been an absolute phenomenon if the cards fell differently.
itsmestanard@reddit
Mansun were incredible. I'm sure the name didn't help though...I used to try and hype them up and people would always think I was talking about Marilyn Manson 😅
gbyrd013@reddit
Urge Overkill
handytendonitis@reddit
They're dicks IRL. Honestly that's the only reason they didn't get huge.
marbotty@reddit
I instinctively dislike bands whose first major hit is basically doing a cover of someone already established… with perhaps the exception of UB40
handytendonitis@reddit
They had multiple "hits" on alternative radio prior to Pulp Fiction. Sister Havana, Positive Bleeding. They were even on the No Alternative compilation along with Nirvana, Pavement, Pearl Jam, etc. You missed it because you were too young.
marbotty@reddit
No, I actually had that album. I didn’t like their song on there, nor did I consider that a hit, but I did like Sister Havana - I just didn’t realize until now that was them.
Objection withdrawn
handytendonitis@reddit
ps Enter the Dragon is a mostly sad album, but IMO it's their best
gbyrd013@reddit
Exit The Dragon is so good! Remember getting that when it came out.
gbyrd013@reddit
Their album Saturation is incredible. Way underrated.
Jokierre@reddit
This makes me so happy to see
XR3TroBeanieX@reddit
Failure
Money_Magnet24@reddit
The Afghan Whigs
Shortbus_Playboy@reddit
This was going to be my comment until I scrolled and saw yours.
Greg Dulli may legitimately be the most talented person to emerge from the 90’s alt rock revolution, and I’m willing to die on that hill, lol
elementalguitars@reddit
I think the reason they weren’t bigger is because their biggest album is such an ugly album. Gentlemen is incredible but goddamn it is not a pleasant record. It’s angry in a way that’s not cathartic and it’s self loathing/deprecating in a way that you don’t want to relate to. But holy shit it rocks.
halfcabheartattack@reddit
Loved Gentlemen but agree, you're not going to be huge when you're that depressing.
elementalguitars@reddit
And the album isn’t even really about depression the way so many albums were at that time. It’s about someone being the biggest asshole they can be and kinda reveling in it in a very self aware fashion. It’s not about depression but by the end of the album you find you’ve spent the previous hour thinking about every bad relationship you’ve ever had and that’s the depressing part. But you also find yourself fantasizing about being an unapologetic asshole to a really awful ex who maybe deserved it and kind of enjoying it. It’s a fucked up record.
Pheeline@reddit
Shakespear's Sister
cornedbeef101@reddit
Gomez
Subtlehavok@reddit
Gomez deserved so much more
Tornadoboy156@reddit
Big fan of their early stuff. They seemed to have a Dave Matthews Band-type sound and following shaping up and then they just…quit.
cornedbeef101@reddit
Yeah! Liquid Skin is one of my most favourite albums of all time. Such a talented bunch of lads. I wish I got to see them live at their peak.
Tornadoboy156@reddit
I loved the artwork of the first two albums, a couple years ago I asked for their used CD singles from that era just to have the art.
oronder@reddit
Yo tambien! I recently listened to it again after not having heard it for years and fell in love with it again. Solid gold. I remember buying “How We Operate,” which came out quite a bit later, and being really disappointed.
cornedbeef101@reddit
Rosalita is a masterpiece of a song!
hmcfuego@reddit
Funny... I learned about them when they opened for... Dave Matthews.
Tornadoboy156@reddit
That tracks!
Fresh-Equivalent-591@reddit
Helmet ..I get slammed about drums every time I say it..one of my favorite bands
Competitive-Glove-55@reddit
Matchbook romance
mountaingoat120@reddit
Sneaker Pimps
red286@reddit
Pretty sure they intentionally self-sabotaged after Becoming X. I don't think they wanted to be big.
darthduder666@reddit
Sense Field. They had the opportunity to go big but Warner screwed them over. Good dudes and an awesome band. RIP Job Bunch.
StevieV61080@reddit
New Radicals. Of course, Gregg Alexander didn't seem to actually want to be bigger in that context and has had an amazing career in production.
itorrey@reddit
For Squirrels 😢
RushBubbly6955@reddit
Remember when mtv and vh1 showed music videos?
Dahleh-Llama@reddit
Also Presidents of the United States of America
Anyone remember that band? I thought they had good songs
stucking__foned@reddit
Loved them. My bff gave me such shit when i got their second album but they were such a good band. The first album was such a banger. Candy is still one of my favorite songs ever
sevalle13@reddit
Guano Apes they were big for a hot minute than faded.
stucking__foned@reddit
I was one of the dozen people that bought their album 😂😂
NotActuallyJen@reddit
Stabbing Westward
stucking__foned@reddit
Yes!
Economy-Mango7875@reddit
Snot. Perhaps because the laws singer died in a car accident after their 2nd album. 1 St commercially but yo had a huge section of a music industry do a tribute album for him. His group was even in a video game with system of a down and bruce willis as the main voice
stucking__foned@reddit
I love Snot. Such a great band
stucking__foned@reddit
Big Wreck God lives underwater Snot Glassjaw Snake river conspiracy
WasabiAficianado@reddit
I wish The Spin Doctors could’ve had some more hits along with The Crash Test Dummies.
thebarbalag@reddit
I've listened to that Refreshments album so much. Underrated, no-skips classic.
nochickflickmoments@reddit
Eve 6, I was obsessed with the lead singer
NightshadeTraveler@reddit
Letters to Cleo
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
The song “Here and Now,” is so good and nostalgic.
but_does_she_reddit@reddit
I bought this CD when I was on a field trip in Newport, RI. It was a little hole-in-the-wall music store back in the mid90s, and everyone in my class was like huh?
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
Love that story.
spinetap25@reddit
I love the songs from Josie and the Pussycats (2001) movie. I consider it a Kay Hanley album. When I'm not listening to heavy metal or classic rock, Kay brightens my life.
MNxpat33@reddit
Fattychris@reddit
The love he gets from that firm is so wholesome
Solo4114@reddit
Oh, hi, Ben from Parks & Rec.
Lowforge@reddit
Super Drag. Who sucked out the feeling was one of my favorite songs for like 20 years.
nochumplovesucka__@reddit
The Toadies
rarselfaire2023@reddit
Their follow-up to Rubberneck called Feeler was rejected by their label in 1997, and the original masters have been "lost" supposedly. They eventually released a rerecorded version of the album in 2010. So that probably didn't help.
I saw them in Corpus Christi in 2001 promoting Hell Below/Stars Above. Needless to say it rocked. Going to see them in Austin in December.
Sheshnation@reddit
Always wondered what the "dark secret" was.
PFRforLIFE@reddit
i always thought it was a song about vampires
DarthBster@reddit
Sort of. It's about him offing the girl and preserving her. Pretty dark.
darkartbootleg@reddit
I think I remember reading that it’s told from the point of view of a ghost who wants her to come over so he can be with her, but I might be wrong, it’s been a long time.
halfcookies@reddit
Seems like that’s most of their songs
DarthBster@reddit
Haha, yeah. He's said it's a continuation of I Burn with cultist lore attached.
Skywren7@reddit
The lead singer said he wanted it to be like a part 2 of the song "I Burn." From what I remember that song was about cult members setting themselves ablaze. I really need to listen to the songs again. I loved that album.
frenchinhalerbought@reddit
He was a vampire that's why she'll live forever...for ever
VoteForLubo@reddit
I’ll show you behind the boathouse.
raspberrybee@reddit
Maybe he couldn’t make up his mind if he wanted to share what it was.
THATS_ENOUGH_REDDlT@reddit
ntmg@reddit
I saw them live at Trees back in the day
TexMoto666@reddit
Criminally underrated band. They are still touring and stay in my playlist rotation heavily.
CatsAndDogs314@reddit
I still listen to their cd's in my car. Brings me back to my high school days.
sinlightened@reddit
100%. Came here to post the same. I saw them live for the first time in ‘99 and again this year. Such an amazing show. Rubberneck is one of my top 5 albums but they have so many other great tunes outside of that album.
pi_guy@reddit
The Toadies show I went to this year was pretty packed, and everyone sang along to the popular tunes. Great time. Loved the Heretics album they put out a few years ago where they did some different arrangements of some of their songs and the Heart of Glass cover was fun.
GAMEYE_OP@reddit
Yes! Their first two albums were really good
nitrot150@reddit
I play one of the songs regularly in my car, my son is always saying it’s messed up (the dark secret one…. Video is a bit fucked up)
MyRetirementGrease29@reddit
Canadian band The Box
onesleekrican@reddit
Not only one of my favorite songs but also one of the most perfect albums I’ve ever listened to. Excellent mention OP
DeschainSWNC@reddit
Sacramento Emocore band Far.
Their album 'Water & Solutions' is now rightly seen as a huge influence on the likes of Biffy Clyro, but at the time they failed to hit the numbers anticipated by their major label.
postscarcity@reddit
James
timothypjr@reddit
Fluorescein. One album (High Contrast Comedown) in the late 90’s and it was excellent. Then Poof! They were gone.
orangepaperlantern@reddit
I have a radio mixtape somewhere still with Cathy’s on Crank on it. Someone’s gotta intervene!!
timothypjr@reddit
If you liked that song, look them up on Spotify. The whole album is there, and two other songs I love: The Goldfish Rising & Donuts and Sharks are my favorites.
CajunBuckeye@reddit
Guster. Loved that the drummer played the conga drums and bongos.
mattpsu79@reddit
Still a Guster fan. Their sound has changed quite a bit in recent years, but they still play a lot of their old "classics" live.
Thatonegirl_79@reddit
Damn, Guster has always been a favorite of mine. I felt that they got just big enough to not be too trendy and I liked that
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
Guster is insufferable.
HBKnight@reddit
Joydrop
orangepaperlantern@reddit
My only experience with them was seeing them open for Jimmie’s Chicken Shack in like 2000, haha. They were good!
HBKnight@reddit
They really were. I made the trip to see them live, at a Virgin Records store, and they sounded great.
thisismynewnewacct@reddit
Superdrag
ranaldo20@reddit
Saw them open for Guided by Voices during the Last Call for Vitriol era. What a show! My face was sufficiently rawked off.
rarselfaire2023@reddit
Badass
thisismynewnewacct@reddit
Funny, a friend and I saw GBV in Cinci and then drove to Knoxville for the Vitriol release show at a record store a couple of days later. Fun times.
TemporaryMediocre187@reddit
Regretfully Yours is a great album.
Dahleh-Llama@reddit
What a banger of an album. I thought nobody was gonna mention Superdrag. I played my Regretfully Yours cassette for hours.
JoeSpic01@reddit
Sucked Out was a fantastic song!
Superb_Ad4917@reddit
They have so many good songs and toured heavily. I think they show that success is often just luck. Head Trip In Any Key was an almost perfect album.
TeddyDBer@reddit
Grant Lee Buffalo
eko32eko7@reddit
none. kinda' wish the bands I like weren't as big as they were.
Acrobatic-League7474@reddit
Puressence! I used to listen to Only Forever religiously - that album kind of reminded me a bit of a cross between Stone Roses and Manic Street Preachers. It was so good!
but_does_she_reddit@reddit
Not sure about bigger, but wish they were still making music. The Sundays.
idestroyangels@reddit
The Rentals
RogerClyneIsAGod2@reddit
MY SCREEN NAMESAKE'S BAND!!! THE REFRESHMENTS!!
FTR, Roger Clyne & PH are still around & the band is now called Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers. They still record & tour & have a new album coming out soon.
They have a HUGE concert in Rocky Point Mexico every June called Circus Mexicus, in January they have January Jam at the same place, there is also a doc about The Refreshments, Here's To Life!
They are best seen live & if they're in your town, get thee to their concert!! Best part is it won't cost you a mortgage payment to see them.
Here's a song I love from a concert I went to, I give you Switchblade.
Let's face it kids, Roger is pretty easy on the eyes, but I have never met more gracious, friendly & hilarious guys. They are always willing to stay & sign stuff, take pics, after the show. Just find the bus & they'll be there.
Threetimes3@reddit
Failure (and Ken Andrews in general) -
Really don't understand how they never even had a hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXvthgkZ2yQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtkOBzieen4
Self-
The band was right on the verge of breaking, and it seems like Dreamworks (the company that bought out Spongebath that they were linked to originally) seems to have purposefully torpedoed them. Matt Mahaffey is still involved in music production (I think the last big thing he did was the soundtrack for the newest TMNT show), but the band he started with isn't doing much
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIeblInAksM
Dildo_Shw4ggins@reddit
Fair to Midland. Only two full length albums, but both filled with musical genius IMO. Plus they put on amazing live performances.
Rumor has it they got screwed over by their record company, which ultimately led to them disbanding.
aimsemma@reddit
Veruca Salt
Cutthechitchata-hole@reddit
The lost prophets. As tgey were rising in popularity the lead singer strived to fuck a little baby. He also was gound with child pornogaphy and was sentenced to the rest of his life in prison. The rest of his life came sooner than he realized. I hope he suffered and i hope his intentions never come back around if reincarnation is a thing.
Combatical@reddit
You wish they were bigger though?
Cutthechitchata-hole@reddit
The rest of the band, yes. They continue on under a different name but they are not popular in America the way tge original band was.
halfcabheartattack@reddit
At The Drive-In -- I mean I can acknowledge that their sound was never going to lend itself to main stream success but holy fuck they were awesome.
FeatherDust11@reddit
Jonathan Fire*Eater
Dahleh-Llama@reddit
Superdrag
I had this album and I thought all of the song were bangers.
Sheshnation@reddit
The Verve Pipe
SlimyPurpleMeteor@reddit
“Villains” is full of hits IMO, and I will continue to jam it until I’m dead and gone.
And I think it should be noted that Brian Vander Ark is a very talented singer and songwriter. His solo work is great, and I’d even argue his vocals have gotten better with age.
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
Absolutely hated this band. Now, The Verve on the other hand, were fantastic!
Thatonegirl_79@reddit
The better of the "Verve" bands
Sudden_Airport_7469@reddit
Way better than The Verve Pipe.
Thatonegirl_79@reddit
They had much more range than the Verve Pipe
Sheshnation@reddit
"Verve" was big, even so you all could have kept your Verve Pipe bashing out of my comment thread lol.
Thatonegirl_79@reddit
Hey, I did plenty of my fair share and more of listening to Verve Pipe and owned their album. I'm not bashing them, they were good, too. 🤟
Sheshnation@reddit
Yeah sorry that was directed at OG comment made by someone else.
too_old_to_be_clever@reddit
We were only Freshmen
Sheshnation@reddit
We were merely Freshman
atxbikenbus@reddit
Acid Bath
HourTwist4308@reddit
Arkarna. Somehow a few of their tracks got downloaded into my mp3 library back around 1999-2000, I think they’re fantastic. Maybe they are bigger than I know, I live in America.
MNxpat33@reddit
Didn’t they do the originals to Since you were gone and that other Kelly song?
HourTwist4308@reddit
I don’t think so but if they did, I’d sure like to hear them.
MNxpat33@reddit
Whoa I was way off, I was thinking of Aranda
Spinbunluthaaa@reddit
The samples
gooch_norris_@reddit
I didn’t get into them until much later but man XTC were incredible
WithASackOfAlmonds@reddit
Fuck. Thank you for this. I had all but forgotten all about these guys
Scott_R_1701@reddit
Blind Melon
Pretty much everyone knows No Rain but thats all most ppl seem to know. Get on Spotify and search them and put their library on shuffle and be amazed.
whyneedaname77@reddit
De La Soul
Middleage_dad@reddit
Back around 2005 in NYC there was a band called Haver Her Home By Ten. The concept was they were a high school band.
All the members of the band were professional musicians, but for this band they all played instruments they didn’t know well. So they had this awesome sound where they were tight on the beat but a little off for some of the notes.
They had fantastic songs, too. You can find them on streaming services.
NW_Forester@reddit
I think if Lenny Kravitz went a bit more mainstream he could have been the biggest artist of the 90s and early 2000s. Like the equivalent of 80s Michael Jackson. But he would have like funk or psychedelic or some R&B or soul inspired songs, so at least IMO he never had what felt like a consistent album.
And early in his career I don't think he toured with enough bands / did enough festivals. Like 89/90/91 was his time to really strike and make a difference in music, but he was off in Europe for a lot of it or doing solo shows or private shows. So his fans got to see him but I don't think he did enough to expand his fans when he was white hot.
soapforsoreeyes@reddit
King Missile was waaaaaaaaaay more than “Detachable Penis”. John S Hall was a hilarious songwriter.
Oh, and yall might guess another band that I liked a lot, based on my username :)
JustifiedOld@reddit
Hello grebo I love the NAD too
ANightmareOnMySt@reddit
Splendora. Their album In The Grass (1995) gives me all the 90s nostalgia feels. They are known for the Daria theme song.
Polkawillneverdie17@reddit
Testament - Testament has been putting out thrash bangers for decades and decades while Metallica and Slayer have been basically sleeping walking for over 20 years. I love both those bands but Testament's talent is consistent and mostly unwavering. Metalheads know them but despite being just as good, they never got the same notoriety as the other Big 4.
rebordacao@reddit
Sepultura
Clean_Owl_643@reddit
Eve 6
GladosPrime@reddit
Sloan
aweedl@reddit
I mean, they were arguably one of the biggest bands in Canada across multiple decades.
That entire run of records from Smeared at least through Navy Blues had inescapable hits.
I don’t think I’ve ever been to a hockey game, even in 2025, and not heard “Money City Maniacs”, as an example.
Nickbou@reddit
Fastball.
I saw them a few months back. They were the opening act, followed by Guster, and finally Barenaked Ladies. Guster was my favorite and why I bought the tickets, but Fastball killed it with their set. BNL was fine.
Low-Beautiful3470@reddit
Buffalo Tom
marbotty@reddit
Loved these guys
Flimsy_Situation_506@reddit
Wave. They had such a good hit, but alas.. they were a one hit wonder.
marbotty@reddit
Nil Lara
sattyspritz@reddit
Hammerbox.
Pleasant-Parsley-816@reddit
Filter
elementalguitars@reddit
They didn’t get bigger because Richard Patrick is an asshole. I saw them as the middle act between Korn and White Zombie in early ‘96. The crowd was only kinda into them after Korn had blown the roof off the venue and Patrick yelled at the crowd that they’re a bunch of Grateful Dead fans. He meant it as an insult but being that this was Tucson everyone cheered because we’re all a bunch of stoners. The one lonely guy who had been crowd surfing during their set was wearing a Dead t-shirt and started yelling at Patrick and flipping him off. Patrick gave him a middle finger back, played one more song then cut the set short. Everyone cheered when they left.
timara69@reddit
Sublime
RandyAKASmokey@reddit
Fizzy, Fuzzy, Big & Buzzy was fantastic. The Bottle and Fresh Horses, not so much.
JoeSpic01@reddit
Sponge, Our Lady Peace, Better Than Ezra, Jimmy Eat World, and Blessed Union of Souls come to mind!
halfcookies@reddit
For Squirrels. Really unfortunate.
still listening to Example
Charon_my_waywrd_son@reddit
VAST
uncle_monty@reddit
Touched is such a great song.
TelevisionKooky3041@reddit
Jon Crosby is a genius. I can't believe how relatively obscure VAST were, and still seemingly are.
kid_entropy@reddit
Man, I love this whole album.
DatedRef_PastEvent@reddit
Mighty Joe Plum
PorkNinjas@reddit
Goldfinger
elementalguitars@reddit
Monster Magnet. All their albums rock and they crush it live. Like Helmet, they’re a big influence on a lot of other bands. They’ve always been too unserious and too stoner-y to ever be a big band but I’m fine with them being in the top tier of underrated, almost-underground bands. That way when you run into another Monster Magnet fan you know they’re cool.
meowthedestroyer95@reddit
I still sing this song
tinosa77@reddit
Stabbing Westward
RoofHaunting2582@reddit
I wish Selena had never died. 👸🏻
theluzah@reddit
Gravity Kills
Jerkrollatex@reddit
Macy Grey.
GrungeCheap56119@reddit
Damn I love her voice to this day
Thatonegirl_79@reddit
Black Lab
NotActuallyJen@reddit
I liked them! I still have their cd laying around somewhere. They opened for someone my cousin and I were seeing. They put on a great show
frenchinhalerbought@reddit
Love this song but never heard much else from them.
GardenDrummer@reddit
Monster Magnet
literanch@reddit
Nada Surf
GrungeCheap56119@reddit
Staind
Great68@reddit
Canadian Band: Rusty
anonymoose_2048@reddit
They did do the King of the Hill intro.
buzznumbnuts@reddit
Satchel
bammbamkam@reddit
the beatles
gosuark@reddit
Fastball
LH99@reddit
The Marvelous 3
PossibleMechanic89@reddit
The lead, Butch Walker, is still active if I recall and has some good stuff.
LH99@reddit
Oh yeah, I have all his albums. Saw him in concert once.
Tornadoboy156@reddit
That’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time!
LH99@reddit
Big fan. I still follow Butch Walker's solo career.
Partis25@reddit
I started listening to Ugly Kid Joe again recently and they had really great songs in addition to the one time hits that were played on Mtv.
Tony_Tanna78@reddit
Therapy? They had the perfect heavy but accessible sound on Troublegum that would appeal across the various sections of rock fans. That album went gold in the UK and could've did the same numbers here in the States if A&M had given them a better push. It would have been nice to see them get a little time in the spotlight here in the States in 1994.
Dan_Berg@reddit
Shadows Fall. They were poised to become one of the bigger metal bands in the 2000s but their original label kind of fucked them over when they tried to jump to a major label, and all the people on their team on the major label got fired or reassigned before the album dropped and no one really knew what to do with it. It killed their momentum and they kept soldiering on until they went on hiatus around 2014. After the pandemic they will play a few festival shows a year and maybe a one off here and there, and have new music coming out soon
SalukiKnightX@reddit
Dream
Loved their harmonization
kevlar51@reddit
Remy Zero
Thatonegirl_79@reddit
They were definitely underrated
OskarBlues@reddit
Hum. They had a minor hit with Stars, but the follow up album was soooooo good. I saw them with Swervedriver (another band I’d nominate) I think sophomore year of college and it was such a great show (and so loud!)
jeanclaudebrowncloud@reddit
Nine black alps.
Their debut is one of the best rock albums ever, every song is such a banger.
bootsie79@reddit
Beta Band
jarosity@reddit
John Cusack tried to help out!
FnordRanger_5@reddit
Hey, those guys are really good!
TimToMakeTheDonuts@reddit
sincerelyryan@reddit
Have you listened to any of The Aliens? Hit or miss but there are some gems in there.
WoodenWeather5931@reddit
I always nail the “uh huh” part of this song
mojo4394@reddit
Baditos is one of my favorite 1 hit wonders of the 90s. I recently jumped into a 90s cover project for fun and this was the first song I suggested we do.
sanebyday@reddit
Future Leaders of the World
sanebyday@reddit
Pushmonkey
TrixieLaBouche@reddit
Symposium
cornedbeef101@reddit
I’m pretty sure Symposium, opening for reef in Birmingham in 1998-9, is a main contributor to my tinnitus. They were so loud. So good.
TrixieLaBouche@reddit
Yeah they were amazing. They did two "one off" shows in 2023 and I was lucky enough to see then in Manchester. I'd only seen them one time previously in 1997. Both in my top gigs ever.
cornedbeef101@reddit
Gosh, I wish I’d known about those gigs. I’d have made an effort to go! Great that they’re still in touch and you got to see them again. I can’t believe it’s been 25 years jeez
handytendonitis@reddit
Definitely the Refreshments! They're amazing Summer good time music. But also Hum and this Bay Area band Overwhelming Colorfast. I've still never met ANYONE irl who likes Overwhelming Colorfast and they were fucking amazing.
CorkFado@reddit
Juliana Hatfield
LilAbeSimpson@reddit
Holy crap I haven’t heard that song in actual decades. 😂
mist_kaefer@reddit
Local H
DontBuyAHorse@reddit
I feel like The Refreshments didn't have to work too hard after doing the King of the Hill theme. They definitely weren't super huge, but they wrote one of the most recognizable songs in all of Pop culture.
megakungfu@reddit
terrorvision
lythy2016@reddit
Saw them at Reading festival in 97 and Milton Keynes bowl in 99, they were so much fun. A girl I had a crush on in sixth form copied their albums onto cassette for me, used to listen to them on the bus to college. Awesome stuff.
Xjasondagx@reddit
my two will always be Flickerstick and Eighteen Visions. Both had everything to be huge and between lack of label support and bad timing it just didn't happen for either.
ManateeNipples@reddit
NOOOOOO this is my final boss ear worm and you've just destroyed my entire thought process for the next 2 weeks lmao
imhungry4321@reddit
Hey Monday
My Friends' band Ten 13 Concept
Twitter_2006@reddit
I'm glad this is mentioned.Cassadee Pope is a sweetheart.