Five superb bands that should have been so much bigger than they were

As a seasoned music enthusiast who has traversed the winding paths of melodies and harmonies for more years than I care to remember, I find myself captivated by these five bands that seem to have slipped under the mainstream radar despite their undeniable brilliance.

There are lots of levels of success in the music industry. It’s quite an achievement these days just to get a record deal or get to a level where their chosen streaming platform sends them a payment. So perhaps it’s a bit harsh to look at bands that have achieved a lot more than that and suggest they could have been even bigger.

In simpler terms, when I refer to “bigger” bands, I’m talking about groups that have achieved significant commercial success, selling millions of albums and being recognized by a large number of people. These bands should be capable of headlining major festivals or filling up arenas for concerts and consistently selling out those venues. If you mention such a band to others and they frequently respond with “Who?”, that gives you an idea of the level of popularity I’m referring to. Essentially, these are bands that are widely known and have substantial fan bases.

It isn’t a condemnation that certain bands didn’t attain those achievements; perhaps they had the talent but lacked the necessary assistance and chances to thrive, or maybe they needed time to evolve, progress, and mature to reach greater success. Unfortunately, some disbanded or simply ran out of energy before they could nearly reach their peak potential.

Five bands that deserved to be bigger than they were

It’s quite possible that these bands might not have achieved as much without assistance or maturity, given the challenging nature of the music industry. Despite their talents, here are five exceptional groups who deserved greater popularity, acclaim, and acknowledgment than they ultimately received.

Echo & the Bunnymen

A Liverpool-based band, renowned for their impressive accomplishments but potentially reaching even greater heights, produced numerous excellent albums and enjoyed significant success with songs “The Cutter” and “The Killing Moon” in 1983/4. One would assume this would catapult them to global fame on a grander scale. However, their dreams of superstardom remained unfulfilled. By 1987, lead vocalist Ian McCulloch had departed the band; they continued despite his absence, but their prime was long gone, and he eventually returned.

Maybe working under Bill Drummond provided them with significant motivation, yet introduced an element of eccentricity as well. Legend has it that Drummond orchestrated a tour for the band whose route, when mapped out, resembled their rabbit head logo. This happened prior to his creation of The KLF and K Foundation, and later the infamous incident where he burned £1 million in cash. It seems that the Bunnymen could have benefited from devoting more attention to creating exceptional music.

In summary, the band has put out a grand total of 13 studio albums, along with a few live ones. Most of these sales were made within the UK, amounting to approximately 660,000 units. During their journey, they earned three gold discs and two silver awards for their studio releases in the UK. Regrettably, the band had the potential to accomplish even more.

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The Gaslight Anthem

Originating from New Jersey, The Gaslight Anthem often draws parallels with Bruce Springsteen due to their shared geographical roots. However, while they’ve been significantly impacted by The Boss, their music also reflects influences from bands like The Ramones and numerous others. Their rock sound carries a more punk edge. Active since 2008, the band experienced breaks in activity until 2015, only to resume again periodically with some splits along the way. Their latest album, “History Books“, was released in 2023.

Known for their lively performances at various international festivals, this band has been a crowd favorite. However, their chart achievements have been more modest, with only three of their six studio albums managing to make it onto the charts in the UK. One of these albums went gold, while two others received silver recognition. Unfortunately, they’ve yet to receive any accolades from the RIAA in the US. Among these albums, Handwritten (2012) peaked at number three on the US charts. Interestingly, another album, Get Hurt, didn’t rank for sales but still managed to secure a top four position in both the US and UK.

Without question, their achievements are impressive and commendable, yet falling slightly short of where their music and performances truly merit. Their tunes encompass everything you’d anticipate – they’re catchy, guitar-driven numbers that are perfect for singing along. They capture the essence of cars, girls, and nostalgia in New Jersey, without being carbon copies of Springsteen. As time has passed, they’ve become more mellow, but they can and do still deliver powerful performances. Perhaps a chart-topping single or some other significant event could have propelled them higher into the spotlight.

The Blue Nile

A stylish band hailing from Glasgow initially built their sound around electronic and synthesizer elements, gradually incorporating more guitar. They started as a three-piece and preferred to keep a low profile, avoiding the limelight. Their music, characterized by jazzy melodies, catchy tunes, and wistful lyrics, received critical acclaim for its quality.

Four albums over 20 years from their first A Walk Across The Rooftops in 1984 through to High in 2004, tell another story. Second album Hats should really have quickly followed their first. But although they hit the studios in 1985, they weren’t ready with songs written that they liked enough to cut a follow-up. Eventually returning to record in 1988, Hats came out in 1989. Even longer gaps followed for the final two albums.

Their first album showcases their iconic song “Tinseltown In The Rain,” a tribute to the vibrant spirit of Glasgow. It’s an outstanding demonstration of their talent, with many standout moments across all the albums that earned them praise. However, their debut only managed to reach number 80 on the UK charts, while their best-performing album, “High,” peaked at number 10. Despite their immense talent, the total sales for all four albums are estimated to be a meager 120,000, an incredibly low figure for such a remarkable band and sound.

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World Party

Although this collective was officially a group, it functioned more like Karl Wallinger’s personal project, with him taking the lead and guiding the direction. He parted ways with The Waterboys in 1986 to establish World Party, which he expanded by recruiting various musicians as necessary. Their most successful single was “Ship of Fools,” released in 1986 from their first album titled “Private Revolution.

As a gamer, I can say that my music career wasn’t exactly a blockbuster hit, but it did manage to create some ripples in the pond. For instance, in the UK, I peaked at number 42 on the charts, which isn’t too shabby for an underdog. I also made a decent showing elsewhere, with a noteworthy achievement being the number 27 spot in the US.

As a dedicated admirer, I’d express it like this: From mastering various instruments to handling synths and the production console, Wallinger was essentially a solo act for our debut album. His versatility made it challenging to categorize his style – we were folk and funk one moment, rock and indie the next, even dabbling in a hint of country. He was an exceptional songwriter, someone who could’ve and should’ve left a greater mark. Regrettably, Wallinger departed us earlier this year.

Little Feat

As a diehard fan, I’d say it’s indisputable that Lowell George was the heart and soul of Little Feat. Among these five bands, they arguably had the most commercial success, and remarkably, they’ve managed to keep going, albeit with a different roster. The tragic loss of George in 1979, following his initial decision to disband Little Feat, was a devastating blow that left an undeniable impact.

“One explanation as to why the band didn’t become even more prominent and achieve greater commercial success is the impactful legacy they created. Over the years, numerous well-known bands have performed covers of their songs, ranging from Nazareth and Robert Palmer to Phish and Linda Ronstadt. This diverse group only scratches the surface of the bands that have been influenced by them. The band’s music was characterized by a country rock style, but they often delved into blues and rock and roll as well.

Record sales of over three million denotes a pretty good band. Top seller was their fabulous live album Waiting For Columbus recorded at shows in London and Washington in 1977. It picked up sales of over one million copies. If you know them already, then you know how good they were at their peak. If you don’t know them, chances are you know their music via other artists. Either way give them a listen, start with that live album for a great snapshot.

2024-09-18 13:00