Yet Another 10 Underrated ’80s Bands You Need to Hear Now

L.A. Weekly ^ | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2017 | LIZ OHANESIAN

[taildragger]

The Best Band you never heard of?

Fountainhead out of Connecticut in the late 70's and early 80's. Edgy Country Rockers as Punk-Madonna and everything else was coming in, it was a hard sell for a record deal. Live in a Bar they were insane, I took one friend once who never heard them and he said, "What they hell are they doing here? why aren't they on tour with a Record deal?"

Check out "Stay Away" and "A Pirates Life" live...

http://fountainheadband.net/

Listen here: http://fountainheadband.net/listen/

Long haired guy on the left Art Deske, White Shirt up front Johnny Frezel (spelled correct?) dueling leads that were insane. Rhythm guy would jump in as well on the long guitar rifs..

[Robert DeLong]

In 1980, McLaren persuaded guitarist Matthew Ashman, drummer David Barbarossa (also known as Dave Barbe) and bassist Leigh Gorman, all then members of Adam and the Ants, to leave the founder of the band, Adam Ant, and form a new group. After a six-month audition process for a lead singer, the band enlisted Annabella Lwin. David Fishel, an acquaintance of McLaren's, discovered 13-year-old Lwin while she was working a Saturday job at her local dry cleaners.

So, yes a majority of them were recruited from Adam & The Ants. I hesitate using the word stolen. 8>)

[major-pelham]

Thanx Old Sport - fun read, good reminiscing.

[Robert DeLong]

It grows on you, especially as a younger male staring at that cover. 8>)

My tastes have changed as well since then. While I have it in my music collection, I never listen to it anymore. But that's true about a lot of songs.

It's the truly special songs and groups that last through the ages with a person.

[ETL]

From the few I sampled, none not even in the same universe as Journey, Foreigner, and REO Speedwagon.

[Third Person]

Chameleons and Go Betweens

[ResisTyr]

I’m a big 80s music fan. Did the whole New Wave Dance Club scene for several years. Was never a fan of XTC. Compare them to another 80s “alphabet” band, INXS. FAR superior in every way, IMO. Michael Hutchence (RIP) was the quintessential 80s frontman. Way cool dude, with excellent vocals & stage presence. Tight band.

INXS - Need You Tonight
https://youtu.be/PrZZfaDp02o

[angcat]

Hated them all!

[dfwgator]

I only knew XTC for their 1979 song Making Plans For Nigel rather than for any of their later stuff.

Check out "Nonsuch". Over time it has become my favorite XTC album. Some brilliant songwriting on it, with songs like, "Rook", "Then She Appeared", "Dear Madam Barnum", "Wrapped in Grey".

[TexasBarak]

I always figured The Rainmakers would go further than they did-

They’re Feedin’ My People That Government Cheese-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLzFhOslZPM

Let My People Go-Go-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTEIjM3BkLo

[dfwgator]

Don’t forget XTC’s alter-egos, “The Dukes of Stratosphear”....

25 O’Clock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGF7o_I4mAw

[mothball]

The band not on this list, are The Chameleons UK. If you haven’t heard them, check them out. You won’t be disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldLk0rQORHY&index=4&list=PLEA68302BA1F4217D

[dfwgator]

Anyone one remember “The Producers”, they had a hit with “What He’s Got”.

I loved that album, thought those guys were going to be huge. I still play it once in awhile.

[Clutch Martin]

I heard them. The west coast bands were quite popular on Guam. So was cha - cha and oddly enough the go-to record store to carried a nice selection of “Guitar Player” & “Downbeat” reader’s poll winner releases; old and new. When you went to Japan just before cd’s really hit the market, there you find cd shops with every artist or soundtrack one could think of, Lazer disc’s too. And, a lot if pop bands, rack bands, and jazz fusion bands would stop over at Guam post tour from Japan and perform up close and personal. It was pretty cool.

[T-Bone Texan]

I say The Sparks are underrated.

Still alive?

[T-Bone Texan]

You are the reason I gave Alice Cooper a second look.

Well, you and the Muppet Show.

[dfwgator]

Maybe the best remake of Ring of Fire

I prefer Social D's version.

[38special]

I nominate Gene Loves Jezebel

[slorunner]

I don't think it is possible to underrate ANY bands of the ‘80’s.

Or the 70’s, 90’s or since for that matter.

[BenLurkin]

Filmed in L A, I bet.