There are many cases of bands being in the right place in the right time. R.E.M. hit it big partially because the B-52s had focused record companies’ attention on the Athens, GA college music scene. CBGB was responsible for launching multiple careers in the 70s and 80s. And these days bands push to get into high-profile festivals like SXSW and Coachella with the hopes that they will be seen and boosted by influencers.

But there are plenty of stories where those things didn’t happen. There are many worthy bands that, for one reason or another, were not as lucky. Whether they were in the wrong place or whether their sound was just not what people were into at the time, these bands had talent, drive, and lots of great songs, but they didn’t necessarily hit it big. I’d like to look at four of my favorite overlooked bands of the 80s and 90s, with the hope that someone else might discover something new for themselves.

Continue reading →