What bands from other lands should be bigger in the US? Bands that have a legitimate possibility of mainstream success if they were given a chance.
My votes:
Hellacopters. Huge all over Scadinavia, unknown here. They're a terrific hard rock band, sort of like AC/DC combined with The Stooges. Their last few albums have all been terrific.
Ash. Sort of like the UK version of Green Day or Blink 182 but a little more credible and less faux-punk attitude. Great singles band, they remind me a of a modern version of the Buzzcocks. Once again, huge all over Europe, unknown here (I don't even think you can get domestic version of their albums).
Super Furry Animals. This band, which sounds like a hard rock version of the Flaming Lips combined with surf rock, has never made a bad album in 10 years. Their last one, Phantom Power absolutely kicked ass. These guys fill stadiums in Europe, never heard one of their songs on the radio here.
Hollowgen
03-13-05, 06:27 PM
are you referring to current bands only, or ones that may be from the past but never got any US recognition?
funkyryno
03-13-05, 06:42 PM
http://www.panix.com/~neko/wz/pix/gw.jpg
Guitar Wolf
Hiro11
03-13-05, 07:10 PM
are you referring to current bands only, or ones that may be from the past but never got any US recognition?Current and or past, I'm looking to broaden my horizons a little.
The Infidel
03-13-05, 07:55 PM
I've always thought Del Amitri deserved to be a lot bigger in the US than they were.
Matthew Chmiel
03-13-05, 08:51 PM
Ash. Sort of like the UK version of Green Day or Blink 182 but a little more credible and less faux-punk attitude. Great singles band, they remind me a of a modern version of the Buzzcocks. Once again, huge all over Europe, unknown here (I don't even think you can get domestic version of their albums).
FUCK YES!
http://www.panix.com/~neko/wz/pix/gw.jpg
Guitar Wolf
FUCK YES SQUARED! (And only because Ace is their number one fan.)
jpdude
03-13-05, 09:05 PM
Westlife......they've had major success abroad, but little here in the US.
birdseye
03-13-05, 09:58 PM
Ash. Sort of like the UK version of Green Day or Blink 182 but a little more credible and less faux-punk attitude. Great singles band, they remind me a of a modern version of the Buzzcocks. Once again, huge all over Europe, unknown here (I don't even think you can get domestic version of their albums).
Ash's new album, Meltdown, is coming out on Tuesday (March 15th). It came out last summer in the UK and was supposed to be released here but their record label went bankrupt. The US release has 3 bonus tracks and a bonus dvd with some videos and documentaries.
SomethingMore
03-13-05, 11:31 PM
Two Australian bands:
Cog
The Butterfly Effect
both fantastic hard-rock groups with a touch of prog.
tofu
03-14-05, 05:24 AM
I always thought Stereophonics would make it as a rock band here in the US but none of their albums have really seemed to take with US rock radio.
wendersfan
03-14-05, 09:15 AM
I always thought Stereophonics would make it as a rock band here in the US but none of their albums have really seemed to take with US rock radio.To further hammer in this little truth, I saw Stereophonics here a few years ago, on the <i>JEEP</i> tour.
<b>They were opening for a local band.</b>
Giles
03-14-05, 10:45 AM
I always thought Stereophonics would make it as a rock band here in the US but none of their albums have really seemed to take with US rock radio.
well their irritating song "Have A Nice Day" occasionally pops up as in-store music and most recently the 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake.
Just bought their new single "Dakota" from Virgin over the weekend - will give a spin later this afternoon.
dick_grayson
03-14-05, 10:49 AM
Brujeria
Giles
03-14-05, 11:00 AM
Kent releasesd one album stateside, quite a few more recent and definately worthy albums have not seen stateside release.
A-ha released two excellent albums "Lifelines" and "Minor Earth Major Sky" that also never got US releases.
Wannadies albums "Bagsy Me" and "Yeah" - unreleased in the states.
I am Kloot - even though their self titled second 2003 album just saw US release, their debut 2001 album is domestically absent.
cungar
03-14-05, 12:13 PM
Teenage Fanclub never made it big but should have.
wendersfan
03-14-05, 12:14 PM
I'd love it if Manic Street Preachers would get more popular over here, if for no other reason than I could actually seem them live. They're probably my most wanted to see live act (that I haven't seen yet, that is).
Giles
03-14-05, 01:24 PM
I'd love it if Manic Street Preachers would get more popular over here, if for no other reason than I could actually seem them live. They're probably my most wanted to see live act (that I haven't seen yet, that is).
I've probably raved about them before, but I've seen them three times, once when they opened for Oasis here in the states, (had tix to the cancelled headlining US tour in 2000 - I think that was the year)
- at the Reading Music Festival in 2001
- and V2002, where they replaced headliner Travis after Neil's swimming pool accident. V2002 was my favourite since they it was a precursor to their X-mas Singles tour. The crowd was great and really into them the massive sing alongs to "Tsunami" and "You Love Us" were eurphoric- absolutely ace!
wendersfan
03-14-05, 01:32 PM
I've probably raved about them before, but I've seen them three times, once when they opened for Oasis here in the states, (had tix to the cancelled headlining US tour in 2000 - I think that was the year)
- at the Reading Music Festival in 2001
- and V2002, where they replaced headliner Travis after Neil's swimming pool accident. V2002 was my favourite since they it was a precursor to their X-mas Singles tour. The crowd was great and really into them the massive sing alongs to "Tsunami" and "You Love Us" were eurphoric- absolutely ace!One of the downsides of seeing them here in the States is that there probably wouldn't be masses of people who know the lyrics to all the songs (unlike me, e.g.)
<b>Giles</b>, do you have the Millenium Stadium DVD? I keep meaning to order it, and then I don't...
Giles
03-14-05, 01:48 PM
<b>Giles</b>, do you have the Millenium Stadium DVD? I keep meaning to order it, and then I don't...
yeah I do, I also have:
- Manic Street Preachers: Louder Than War (Cuba concert)
- Manic Street Preachers: Forever Delayed
and all their DVD-singles.
have you picked up The Holy Bible Deluxe Edition yet? (you know there is a US edition with a NTSC DVD)
TripWire
03-14-05, 01:50 PM
hmm I never understood why the Tea Party never made it in the states and lately haven't been getting any american distribution...I mean they are from Montreal, you figure their fame in Canada would trickle down here eventually.
nodeerforamonth
03-14-05, 02:09 PM
Certainly the Hellacopters. Incredible band. And one of the best live bands I've ever seen!
Add the Backyard Babies. Now on tour with Social Distortion.
The Wildhearts are another unknown band here, yet big in the UK & Japan. One of the best bands I have EVER heard. EVER! They got the loud guitars of pre-St. Anger Bob Rock Metallica, amazing harmonies, and some of the best songs I've ever heard. Very loud. Very melodic. Incredibly catchy.
All the Wildhearts related bands are also great! The Yo-Yo's have 3 singers, amazing harmonies, and play some great rock 'n roll. Silver Ginger 5 is great, loud, power-pop. Ginger's solo stuff is also incredible. He's the singer of the Wildhearts and if you're going to base how good a songwriter is on the percentage of good to bad songs, Ginger (based on everything he's written) would be about 147-3.
Don't forget Australian bands. Asteroid B612 was great. They just got a live album out called "Greenback Blues". More incredibly loud guitar heavy rock. The Monarchs also have what should've been hits on their album. Same for Challenger 7.
jetflair
03-14-05, 09:08 PM
Eiffel 65 should have enjoyed more than just their one US hit. I agree on Westlife; they are a bit bland but seem like they would fit right into the US pop scene - or would have before everyone started listening to hip-hop flavored pop. I know there are others I can't think of right now.
jonnyrocks
03-14-05, 09:32 PM
Ash's new album, Meltdown, is coming out on Tuesday (March 15th). It came out last summer in the UK and was supposed to be released here but their record label went bankrupt. The US release has 3 bonus tracks and a bonus dvd with some videos and documentaries.
This was released last week. Good stuff!
Slowpc
03-14-05, 10:15 PM
Being an ash fan (took me WAY too long to find a copy of 1979 once that was released in the states) I would love to see them do well over here. They have had a video release in the states and once meltdown comes out, hopfully a single gets picked up. Something like "clones" (since it is on the star wars republic commando trailer/game) would be good.
I will also have to say my 2 cents and say...
Feeder!
So many great cds and singles, even "High" did pretty well over here, but so many people say "Oh .. i know that song" but they dont know the band that did it. Pushing the Senses is a great cd and would love to see another attempt here with that cd. The Comfort in Sound tour they did here (like 20 clubs) i heard did pretty good, maybe it will happen again.
starseed1981
03-15-05, 07:47 AM
I would say SILVERCHAIR. I know there first album was a hit here, but the last 3 never really made a dent. Even though they are still huge throughout the rest of the world. There last album, Diorama, was a huge artistic achievement.
Also, THE DISSOCIATIVES, the lead singer of Silverchairs sideproject. There album will drop in the us on March 29th. It's very very poppy. But in a beach boy sense.
And finally, as it has been stated before...GUITAR WOLF!!!
"Rock and roll holds no boundaries!"
atlantamoi
03-15-05, 08:50 AM
My wife turned me on to Gustavo Cerati. He's from Argentina and used to be in Soda Stereo. The guy's last two solo albums were excellent alt-electronic-pop-rock. Singing in Spanish sure doesn't help, but at least his efforts aren't ignored in Latin countries.
Deke Rivers
03-16-05, 03:26 PM
Porcupine Tree
tdirgins
03-16-05, 04:17 PM
The Jam. Barely made a dent in the US. :(
WarriorPrincess
03-16-05, 05:10 PM
I've just discovered two swedish bands that kick some serious indie ass, The Leslies and Acid House Kings.
wendersfan
03-16-05, 06:17 PM
The Jam. Barely made a dent in the US. :(Agreed. And Paul Weller should be a major artist on this side of the pond right now.
Hiro11
03-16-05, 07:38 PM
Agreed. And Paul Weller should be a major artist on this side of the pond right now.
Considering how many bands out of NYC have made a career of being essentially Jam cover bands (I'm looking at you Rapture, Walkmen, French Kicks, Radio 4 et al), I think they have made it big.
In other news, my awful typo in this thread's title is bugging the hell out of me.
birdseye
03-16-05, 08:22 PM
Agreed. And Paul Weller should be a major artist on this side of the pond right now.
Definitely. Weller's last album, Illumination was amazing (not including last years Studio 150, his covers album). With a little bit of promotion it could have done good. Lack of promotion seems to be a common reason for most foreign bands not doing well in the US. Agreed about the Jam also, a lot of bands have the Jam to thank for helping to shape their sound.
apchrist
03-16-05, 09:12 PM
The Tragically Hip
Josh-da-man
03-16-05, 09:35 PM
I don't think that the U.S. music industry (from record companies, to radio, to the ticket consortiums) want non-American artists to be successful over here, especially over the last five years or so.
SomethingMore
03-17-05, 12:11 AM
hmm I never understood why the Tea Party never made it in the states and lately haven't been getting any american distribution...I mean they are from Montreal, you figure their fame in Canada would trickle down here eventually.
apparently, I'm told, they're HUGE in Australia.
Matthew Good should also be big in the US, but he's specifically chosen not to cater to their version of the "music business". *shrug* works for me.
atlantamoi
03-17-05, 05:54 AM
Considering how many bands out of NYC have made a career of being essentially Jam cover bands (I'm looking at you Rapture, Walkmen, French Kicks, Radio 4 et al), I think they have made it big.
I always thought some of those bands were more like Gang of Four cover bands. It is odd how little the Jam made inroads in the U.S. All the more reason I was shocked the first time I heard Midnight Oil on top 40 radio.
Their lyrics are about as localized as the Jam and maybe even a weirder band.
wendersfan
03-17-05, 09:46 AM
I always thought some of those bands were more like Gang of Four cover bands. It is odd how little the Jam made inroads in the U.S. All the more reason I was shocked the first time I heard Midnight Oil on top 40 radio.
Their lyrics are about as localized as the Jam and maybe even a weirder band.
At least for a brief time, it was easy to capitalize on Pete Garrett's physical characteristics, I guess. Also, I don't really think The Jam (or Weller) much cared to become popular in the US, while Midnight Oil might possibly have been interested in doing so.
I agree, those bands mentioned above sound more like Gang of Four than The Jam. It's probably no surprise to anyone that I've long been a huge fan of both bands.
nodeerforamonth
03-17-05, 03:17 PM
I don't think that the U.S. music industry (from record companies, to radio, to the ticket consortiums) want non-American artists to be successful over here, especially over the last five years or so.
This is the most ridiculous statement I've read on the 'net all week.
The US music industry is about ONE thing: MONEY. They want whatever artist to sell as much as they can so they can make money off them.
Didn't the Darkness just get a huge deal?
Giles
03-17-05, 03:22 PM
Didn't the Darkness just get a huge deal?
who?... ;) I thought their fifteen minutes were up.
I blame corporate radio, with directors of programming that couldn't find or impart good music if they were forcefed it (long live satellite radio).
Mike1055
03-17-05, 04:52 PM
Rory Gallagher
one of the best guitar players ever ,huge in his native country Ireland and most of europe .Unfortunately he died a while back never really making much of a dent in the US.
Wick
03-27-05, 02:54 AM
Definitely THE DISSOCIATIVES- I've been listening to their album tonight and it is amazing. They're brilliant. Also, Silverchair, who are just as amazing.
Matthew Chmiel
03-27-05, 04:39 AM
New band to bring into this thread: The UK's The Go! Team.
Just listened to their debut album and I dug it a lot.
driv3
03-27-05, 09:40 AM
MUSE !!! - uk band
LOST PROPHETS - uk band
Asian KungFu Generation - japanese band
Jason
03-27-05, 10:18 AM
Dream Theater. Yes, they are somewhat big, but they should be led zeppelin/U2 big.
EDIT: Just noticed the word "foreign" in the title. Was just thinking of bands big elsewhere who are ignored in america.
SubZeri
03-27-05, 02:52 PM
A-ha released two excellent albums "Lifelines" and "Minor Earth Major Sky" that also never got US releases..
No kidding, they have quite an impressive catalog for a band known stateside for only one song. In fact, alot of their material is even better than the first album.
Matthew Chmiel
03-27-05, 03:53 PM
LOST PROPHETS - uk band
After they've had a single attached to Spider-man 2, their popularity stateside is growing. Not as big as they should be, but at least people are finding out about them.
wilson ttc
03-27-05, 09:35 PM
Muse, how can a band that good and not sell records in the states?
Heat
03-28-05, 01:58 AM
Brujeria
What the hell?
(30 second clips from the first two songs from their "best of" album):
My personal Spanish language bands are the Spanish bands Jarabe de Palo and Estopa. Jarabe de Palo is a modern rock band with, in my opinion, a 70's era sound:
Another Spanish Band that should have done well here is "la Oreja de Van Gogh" (a pop band from Spain, the CD I like of theirs is "El Viaje de Copperpot"):
Muse, how can a band that good and not sell records in the states?
here in DC, the most recent 9:30 show sold out the day the tickets went on sale... that in my opinion says to me that they have a pretty large stateside fanbase.
dick_grayson
03-28-05, 10:34 AM
What the hell?
(30 second clips from the first two songs from their "best of" album):
Essentially an all-star death metal side project that refuses to tour or divulge their identities (they go by aliases and wear disguises for publicity photos), Brujeria is led by Fear Factory members Dino Cazares (guitar) and Raymond Herrera (drums) and includes various members from Faith No More (Mike Patton), Down by Law, and Napalm Death, among others. Despite their unconventional career thus far, Brujeria has built a large fan base within the metal underground, issuing such albums as 1993's Matando Gueros, 1995's Raza Odiada, 2000's mini album Marijuana and Brujerizmo, and in 2001, the compilation Mextremist: Greatest Hits. Nick Barker (Dimmy Borgir, COF) plays drums on the two most recent albums.
Giles
03-28-05, 10:35 AM
New band to bring into this thread: The UK's The Go! Team.
Just listened to their debut album and I dug it a lot.
what's interesting about this band is that while raved about by from Time Out New York and SXSW, this album while great, hasn't even have a stateside record deal.
wilson ttc
03-29-05, 02:21 AM
here in DC, the most recent 9:30 show sold out the day the tickets went on sale... that in my opinion says to me that they have a pretty large stateside fanbase.
They do sell their concerts pretty good, but I think it's because they rarely tour the States. Their records, however, don't sell enough to make the chart, which is a shame.
DVD Josh
03-29-05, 06:01 PM
I'll go with Matthew Good Band. Beautiful Midnight is one of my favorite albums of all time.
Randy Miller III
03-29-05, 08:33 PM
I'm a big fan of <b>Augie March</b> (from Australia). Much like Blur, they have the uncanny ability to switch styles or genres mid-album and make it work. Either of their albums (<i>Sunset Studies</i> or <i>Strange Bird</i>) is a great jumping-on point.
wendersfan
03-29-05, 09:52 PM
have you picked up The Holy Bible Deluxe Edition yet? (you know there is a US edition with a NTSC DVD)I'm ashamed to say, but I only just bought it tonight.
(I've had the original version for several years.)
Libby
03-31-05, 10:38 PM
More Canadian bands!
birdseye
04-01-05, 12:00 AM
More Canadian bands!
Sam Roberts :up:
funkydjmcescher
04-01-05, 08:38 AM
http://www.panix.com/~neko/wz/pix/gw.jpg
Guitar Wolf
With Billy passing away on Thursday this will change the whole dynamics of GW.
They were big (in there own way) here even back when Eric Oblivian was chatting them up in 1994.
Scorpio
04-07-05, 02:41 AM
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Deacon Blue
dick_grayson
04-22-05, 12:52 PM
Lush (although they quit when the drummer killed himself) Spooky is a brilliant album. The songs "For Love" and "Covert" are perfect.....
RichDB10
04-23-05, 04:33 PM
Elbow
Sigur Rós
Zero 7
cactusoly
04-24-05, 01:30 PM
Helloween
Iced Earth (which is ironic since they are a US band)
devilpants
04-25-05, 10:40 PM
turbonegro!!!!!
bub2000
04-25-05, 11:20 PM
More Canadian bands!
The Arcade Fire! (see: Neighbourhood#2 Laika, and Backseat)
And from Denmark, Junior Senior (see: Move Your Feet)
redhenry
04-25-05, 11:25 PM
[QUOTE=SomethingMore]Tripwire - apparently, I'm told, they're HUGE in Australia.
QUOTE]
Don't believe everything you hear. I am in Australia and I can say I have never heard of them. No doubt someone, somewhere likes 'em a lot but as for HUGE in Australia - they're not even on the radar!
Your own Scissor Sisters - well New Yorks' won anyway - are pretty big here and the UK but barely recognised in the States. Shame. They are quite a band!
T
Giles
04-26-05, 09:45 AM
Your own Scissor Sisters - well New Yorks' won anyway - are pretty big here and the UK but barely recognised in the States. Shame. They are quite a band!
T
you can blame corporate radio since most radio programmers cant find underrated 'less heard' bands or songs.
US radio is bland, bland, bland, bland... bland
redhenry
04-26-05, 09:36 PM
you can blame corporate radio since most radio programmers cant find underrated 'less heard' bands or songs.
US radio is bland, bland, bland, bland... bland
I hear ya loud and clear as it's the same here in Australia. There is nothing about the format of commercial radio here that is NOT stolen from the US.
And it's not interesting in the least.
T
The Bus
04-27-05, 08:43 AM
A-ha released two excellent albums "Lifelines" and "Minor Earth Major Sky" that also never got US releases.
YES. Anyone that is a fan of well-orchestrated pop-rock without a lot of kiddie filler needs to pick up Minor Earth Major Sky. It's glossy, polished, well produced, and damn good, despite the first two adjectives I used in this sentence. That, and Morten Harket's vocals are a nice change from anything that you hear stateside or from the UK. Lifelines is good, but not great. MEMS is great. I would almost universally recommend it to anyone.
The downside is that I believe it is only available as an import. If you want to try some songs, check out "Summer Moved On", "Mary Ellen Makes the Moment Count", and the title track. Most of the tracks on that album are excellent.
Njål
05-01-05, 09:13 AM
turbonegro!!!!!
There was a docu on Norwegian tv just a week ago about their US tour this winter. Their new album is, from just a couple of listens, quite fun.
Buy: