Tell me is there a band you like a lot but aren’t big or popular in your country.
Here’s 3 bands:
Heartland from England
Change of Heart from England
Urgent from US…though Canada had their own Urgent



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2026-01-04 05:02 by babyblue.

Been a big fan of Cheap trick since 1978, since then rarely have I met anyone that likes them, just a handful through the years.

Ween. Definitely the most interesting musical wormhole I’ve been down.







Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-12-31 21:58 by NashvilleBlues.

If you're a U.S.A. based fan of Status Quo, that'd be a good example. A group who achieved phenomenal, enduring success in the U.K., yet didn't register at all stateside.

I think a lesson to be learned for European bands who wants to make it in the states is to actually go there, tour and do media and pr there. Americans don't listen to European radio stations, simple as that.

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frankotero
Been a big fan of Cheap trick since 1978, since then rarely have I met anyone that likes them, just a handful through the years.

I like CT. I like them and own a few LP's. Not a huge fan but definitely on my OK list!

They are the first major act that I saw. They opened for The Kinks in Milwaukee at the Riverside Theatre in April 1977.

Jethro Tull.

The Replacements, Fu Manchu, Drive By Truckers

Most bands popularity is rather short and very dependent of the popularity of their genre and trends. Progressive music is an example of that.
Very popular in the 70s but few bands managed to maintain their popularity further on in the 80s.

Revenge 88 is a Belgian underground punk/rock band that came up out of the late-1970s/early-1980s scene around Ostend and beyond. They cut their teeth in that raw era where punk was still fresh and electric, and they ended up known for a couple of singles that capture that period’s unpolished drive. Their 1981 single “Neonlight” is their best-remembered track from that time and has been reissued or referenced among punk collectors.
watch youtube

Diesel Park West

Another ‘next big thing that didn’t make it’. Once touted as the best band Leicester has spawned since Family, they are still around, making music (mostly sold in digital download), playing selected live performances here and there.

[dieselparkwest.com]

[en-gb.facebook.com]

I once posted here they almost supported the Stones on the Steel Wheels Tour, by recommendation of Chris Kimsey who produced their debut album, Shakespeare Alabama (1989).

[iorr.org]

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frankotero
Been a big fan of Cheap trick since 1978, since then rarely have I met anyone that likes them, just a handful through the years.

Love Cheap Trick, seen them probably a dozen times or more. What's kinda funny is I've really only paid to see them specifically maybe 3 times, they've either been an opener or at a festival the rest of the times, or a free show during a holiday or something.

Last time I saw them was opening for ZZ Top's 50th anniversary tour. Me and my buddy walked out and he kinda mumbles "Cheap Trick was better than ZZ", I kinda laughed and said I thought so too.

Really put on a high energy show still.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-12-30 22:07 by kovach.

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Big Al
If you're a U.S.A. based fan of Status Quo, that'd be a good example. A group who achieved phenomenal, enduring success in the U.K., yet didn't register at all stateside.

I play them regularly at my local St. Louis spots who have the touch tunes jukeboxes.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-12-30 22:07 by kovach.

Red Clay Strays...

And a great Canadian band Triumph who are reuniting for a 2026 tour

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noughties
Jethro Tull.

Funny story, growing up, if JT came on the radio I couldn't change the channel fast enough.

Many years later I get tickets for ELP, and who's opening...JT.

Was dreading it...then much to my surprise I freakin' loved the live show and walked out a fan. The true talent really shines through on stage.

Of current recording/touring bands:

The Nude Party - from North Carolina. Maybe now in their very early 30s. 4 albums out, 5th coming shortly. Very countrified Stones vibe, though def not country music. Rock, southwest US, country, Americana and 60s psych influences. And do a nice live version of Dead Flowers. Big band on-stage, with the usual bass, drums, 2 guitarists...but adding keys (inc vintage 60s style farfisa organ), extra percussionist, and full time pedal-steel guitarist.

The Heavy Heavy - a little more mellow, easy 70s Delaney/Bonnie, Hollies vibe to me. Probably still in their 20s, hailing from Brighton, England, but have a sunny California circa 1970-74 vibe. 2 albums out.

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Stoneage
Most bands popularity is rather short and very dependent of the popularity of their genre and trends. Progressive music is an example of that.
Very popular in the 70s but few bands managed to maintain their popularity further on in the 80s.

Agreed, and if they still exist, they are a parody of themselves. Gentle Giant is an example.

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frankotero
Been a big fan of Cheap trick since 1978, since then rarely have I met anyone that likes them, just a handful through the years.

I remember playing Cheap Trick "Live at Budokan" a lot, when it came out. I would not call Cheap Trick "not populat, even if they are less popular than The Stones.

Bjornulf

I'm a bit bemused to read 'Jethro Tull' Unless they are particularly unpopular in some territories? Sure, they may not be a household name, today, but surely they have a niche following, generally?

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bv

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frankotero
Been a big fan of Cheap trick since 1978, since then rarely have I met anyone that likes them, just a handful through the years.

I remember playing Cheap Trick "Live at Budokan" a lot, when it came out. I would not call Cheap Trick "not populat, even if they are less popular than The Stones.

At Budokan was one of the first records I ever got, in '79. I never stopped listening to Cheap Trick but people sort of forgot about them. What many people don't know is the fact that they had a huge no 1 hit in the US, years later.

And... they have a new cd out, called All Washed Up, which is rather good, if I may say so.

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bv

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frankotero
Been a big fan of Cheap trick since 1978, since then rarely have I met anyone that likes them, just a handful through the years.

I remember playing Cheap Trick "Live at Budokan" a lot, when it came out. I would not call Cheap Trick "not populat, even if they are less popular than The Stones.

Less popular than the Stones might include every band in the world possibly short of the Beatles

Cheap Trick at Budokan is kind of similar to Frampton Comes Alive in my opinion. Honestly that's the only Peter Frampton album I've ever cared to own, and I don't think much of it anymore as great as it is. Same with At Budokan, I never play it though it's their biggest album. I do however play the others a lot. Don't care much for anything after "The Latest" I'm always reading about them on Facebook to keep up with the present times. Kovach, that's a cool ZZ Top story. I'm sure I would have preferred Cheap Trick too, although ZZ Top is no joke. Just one more thing to say here. The most money I spent on a concert ticket after The Stones is Cheap Trick in Zurich Switzerland. I bought good tickets at first, then when we arrived I found out there was Front Of Stage (very expensive) and I bought those there. The person at the cash register was in shock. I was like could be the last time for me and turns out I was right. So far anyway. Doubt they're coming over to Portugal or Spain.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-12-31 18:12 by frankotero.

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Big Al
If you're a U.S.A. based fan of Status Quo, that'd be a good example. A group who achieved phenomenal, enduring success in the U.K., yet didn't register at all stateside.

Pictures of Matchstick Men was pretty popular in the states in 1968, great song... but for some reason nothing else registered here as far as I can remember!

Many bands are more than popular in their own country, or area, but never makes it on an international stage. Due to things like languages, culture and ambition.
In that way the English speaking countries have an advantage over other countries. Because it's the biggest market for pop/rock music.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-12-31 18:54 by Stoneage.

D.A.D. from Denmark. They have English lyrics, a great rock sound (to me), a cool attitude and live shows that kick major butt. And many of their albums are really great, as well.

Cheers and a happy new year from Southern Germany
Fillmore

Here are 10.

Ben Harper
Samantha Fish
Devil Makes Three
War on Drugs
Warpaint
Robert Jon and The Wreck
Larkin Poe
Lucius
Delta Rae
Galactic

[quote[/i]=daspyknows]
Here are 10.

Ben Harper
Samantha Fish
Devil Makes Three
War on Drugs
Warpaint
Robert Jon and The Wreck
Larkin Poe
Lucius
Delta Rae
Galactic[/quote]

I’ve heard of Samantha Fish and War on Drugs; I know of Ben Harper through Zeppelin. The others I have never heard of. Music-wise, I’ve never knowingly listened to any of them!


Edit: I was thinking of Roy Harper!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-12-31 20:47 by Big Al.

Roy Harper sung Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar,” too.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026-01-01 19:32 by NashvilleBlues.

Psychedelic furs

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NashvilleBlues
Roy Harper sung Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here,” too.

Have A Cigar. 'Hat's off'