Bands that should have been much bigger than they are/were..

I thought Shotgun Messiah were really onto something with their VIOLENT NEW BREED record in '93 but they split up soon after. That record still sounds great today.

Artch

Equinox

-Saxon
-Seduce
-TT Quick
-London
-Overkill
-Forbidden
-Malice
-Leatherwolf...etc...etc...

kmorg wrote:

Equinox

I was actually just about to post that one!

Do you happen to know if maybe their albums were just released in small numbers or something? They all seem to be so bloody hard to find!

Fat Freddy wrote:

I thought Shotgun Messiah were really onto something with their VIOLENT NEW BREED record in '93 but they split up soon after. That record still sounds great today.

I think they derailed themselves with that one. Their 1st two releases were more hair/glam/metal. VNB, while inovative, was too far removed from their original sound that the fans knew & loved. If I remember correctly, even the band members tried to distance themselves from their "glam roots", saying they were never a hair band. I think that was too big a leap for the fans and their fan-base bailed on 'em.

ultmetal wrote:

thrasher73 wrote:

Ultimatum-another great band that should be on a bigger label getting the props they deserve

Thanks bro. Well, let's hope the new CD does something when it's released. Be nice if a European label picked it up like Massacre did with "Mechanics". We'll see what happens.

Not trying to toot my own horn, but I played the song "Game Over" for some guys at the gym that are only casual rock and metal fans, only listening to popular stuff, and one of the commented, "Wow! How is it your guys aren't on a big label yet?" Not really sure I'd want to be, to be honest. I've seen big labels destroy bands. However, I wouldn't mind being on a label that at least had good distribution in the stores and put some advertising behind the band.

I sure do appreciate the support thrasher73.

ult

Yeah,I know what you mean about the bigger labels,but the wider distribution is what I was meaning by that.
Keep up the Good work my friend

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

I thought Shotgun Messiah were really onto something with their VIOLENT NEW BREED record in '93 but they split up soon after. That record still sounds great today.

I think they derailed themselves with that one. Their 1st two releases were more hair/glam/metal. VNB, while inovative, was too far removed from their original sound that the fans knew & loved. If I remember correctly, even the band members tried to distance themselves from their "glam roots", saying they were never a hair band. I think that was too big a leap for the fans and their fan-base bailed on 'em.

Yea, that's true, it does stick out from the rest of their catalog... but it's my favorite S.M. album anyway!! (SECOND COMING is darn good too, but nothing prepared me for the smackdown that VIOLENT NEW BREED put on me when I first heard it.)

I guess it was simply too heavy for the hair-metal crowd (who were already dwindling away in 1993 anyhow) but not hard enough for the "industrial metal" crowd...

thrasher73 wrote:

Ultimatum-another great band that should be on a bigger label getting the props they deserve

I agree I love what they are doin'.

Enuff Z'nuff

These guys got lumped in with the hair/glam bands (rightly so, going by their looks) but their music had little to do with the sex/sleaze of their LA counterparts at the time. These guys, musically speaking, were more pop-oriented, like Cheap Trick, with beautiful harmonies and catchy riffs. Even after grunge took over in the early 90's and most people had written these guys off, they continued to put out quality, Beatle-esqe pop rock.

Helloween
Cream
Frehley's Comet
Ace Frehley
Lordi
Quiet Riot
Steppenwolf
Ted Nugent (I don't know a lot a people who know him)
UFO
Voivod
WASP
Wolfmother

ultmetal wrote:

thrasher73 wrote:

Ultimatum-another great band that should be on a bigger label getting the props they deserve

Thanks bro. Well, let's hope the new CD does something when it's released. Be nice if a European label picked it up like Massacre did with "Mechanics". We'll see what happens.

Not trying to toot my own horn, but I played the song "Game Over" for some guys at the gym that are only casual rock and metal fans, only listening to popular stuff, and one of the commented, "Wow! How is it your guys aren't on a big label yet?" Not really sure I'd want to be, to be honest. I've seen big labels destroy bands. However, I wouldn't mind being on a label that at least had good distribution in the stores and put some advertising behind the band.

I sure do appreciate the support thrasher73.

ult

I love singing along to Never, thats an amazing song.

I wish Dio could build back his audience. Its weird how a Sabbath reunion fills up amiptheaters, but his solo band is still playing in clubs... hopefully the reunion helps him.

Maybe Dio needs to do a reality show?

Dio is little as hell...His house look like a Smurf's house.

T-Roy wrote:

I'm gonna put a big fat target on myself and go out onto the ledge here!

VAN HALEN

JUST HERE ME OUT FIRST AND SHUT UP!!

I loved Halen big time from the beginning. I always felt they were the
one band that could have stood the test of time through the generations
of rock. Even surpassing the Stones and taking that mantle so to speak.
They ARE living legends for sure. But because of their childish and
selfish antic’s, they were legitimately dead with the Twister
soundtrack disaster (they were suppose to record the entire
soundtrack), which in my mind, could have catapulted them through a
whole other generation......but, Sammy didn't want to come back from
Hawaii, can't say as I blame him. I just think they COULD have been so
much more than they are now, which isn’t a “bad” place to be, but to
me, today, every time I here the name Van Halen……all I ever think about
is how disappointing they were. That’s there legacy for me.

I'm listening to VH as I read and respond and you are 100% correct!! In fact if you had not written it first, then I would have. They could have taken over the planet, but, o'l Diamond Dave, the walking talking living breathing airport lounge act and the petulant Vanhalen brothers couldn't do it for the sake of the music, fans, or the millions. I happened to listen to a youtube phone conversation of Eddie and Alex talking about the new tour and they basically blame everything, like they always have, on everyone but themselves. Good call on this one. And, I do love Vanhalen, I have since 1980 and got Women and Children First as a belated birthday present from my uncle, in case anyone is convinced otherwise by my tone. The love of their music accounts for the degree of vituperativeness in my argument.

My vote goes to Badlands. I just love these guys- quality songwriting and music.

ARTILLERY

Anacrusis. "Screams and Whispers" was pure genius; but the rest of their stuff never got them anywhere. Are they still trying?

Definitely prefer to see Dio (and anyone else for that fact) playing clubs...more intimate setting,better sound,right there in your face.Alot of arenas are echo-city,too many drunks,dopes and its more of a carnival atmosphere i think.....also personally prefered playing bars/clubs when i was an active musician.

"Y & T" The San Fransisco Earthquakers!!!!

kmorg wrote:

SAVATAGE

No doubt.

Lillian Axe as well.

Saxon

Deliverance

Ten

Good call on Clutch

IronAge wrote:

-Saxon
-Seduce
-TT Quick
-London
-Overkill
-Forbidden
-Malice
-Leatherwolf...etc...etc...

I agree with the thrashers there, should have the same amount of fame as the big four...

SideShowDisaSter wrote:

kmorg wrote:

Equinox

I was actually just about to post that one!

Do you happen to know if maybe their albums were just released in small numbers or something? They all seem to be so bloody hard to find!

I think the first one was pressen on 1000 CD units. Not sure how many vinyl copies though. It was first released on Laughing Deer Records, but RCA bought the rights.

kmorg wrote:

SideShowDisaSter wrote:

kmorg wrote:

Equinox

I was actually just about to post that one!

Do you happen to know if maybe their albums were just released in small numbers or something? They all seem to be so bloody hard to find!

I think the first one was pressen on 1000 CD units. Not sure how many vinyl copies though. It was first released on Laughing Deer Records, but RCA bought the rights.

Wow! Only 1000 CDs? That is a small pressing.

SoldierUnderCommand wrote:

kmorg wrote:

SAVATAGE

No doubt.

Lillian Axe as well.

Saxon

Deliverance

totally agree on Deliverance!