These bands are undoubtedly bigger bands that received some credit, some more than others, but are by no means household names like the bands on the list I just mentioned. The last list was aimed at bands that you could easily find in the "Rock" section at any Best Buy. Most people reading this will have heard of every single band, but generally speaking a good chunk of people sadly have just not heard enough by these bands.
I've always compared music to food. Some people are very consciously aware of what they consume for various reasons when it comes to food. For those people, places like Whole Foods have made millions. Others? They know they should be eating right, but it's easier and safer for them to order a pizza or go through a drive through. So Whole Foods makes millions while McDonalds makes trillions. Same thing with music and these bands. I think most people know there's better music out there, they just don't want to be bothered to read blogs or go to shows to find it. They just want to click FM on their car stereos and gobble down their whoppers with their big, fat, empty fucking heads in their asses.
I could easily write a 10 hour entry on each and every one of these bands and who they influenced, side projects of the bands.. but I'm going to make it easy and just say these bands should've gotten triple the money The Rolling Stones snorted up their old ass noses.
Again, these are in no order:
Autolux
Hands down the most underrated band over the last 20 years. Easily my favorite band and would probably be a lot more peoples' favorites if they heard more of it. It's weird but still catchy, noisy but not heavy, different enough to be unique but familiar enough for all music fans to appreciate. When I thought of this list, these are the kinds of bands I mean exactly. Bands that aren't trying desperately to be different just to be different, they're making great music that happens to be unique. So many bands (and people) set out to do something that has never been done and 9/10 times it wasn't done for a reason, because it sounds like shit. These guys get an A+ from me!
Pixies
Pixies were a close call to being the number one overrated band. Although they gained a lot of popularity ever since they became "that band at the end of Fight Club" but they never really broke through like most bands did in the late 80's early 90's. A huge name amongst musicians, but another sad case of a great band never becoming a household name.
Sonic Youth
Yet another perfect example of a band that was really doing something great for American music that most people just shoved under the rug when they first heard it because they'd rather listen to Madonna or Matchbox 20. While most bands were circulating the same bullshit progressions with different song titles and only metal bands were making you go deaf, you had these guys blowing out your ear drums with an entirely different batch of noise.
The Melvins
This is one of the hardest working current bands in music. They've done more collaborations and been open to more ideas than those sluts in two girls one cup. Even though they're never fully getting back what they've put in, this band continues to impress me in many ways.
The Screamers
I wish these guys made an album because I'd probably be listening to it right now. Although not one of my all time favorites, it's definitely a band that lead many of the bands most people recognize to be leaders. I feel like a lot of bands saw this band live in LA, ran home and started a band similar and got more popular than these guys. Plus they use synths and anyone who knows me knows that 9/10 times an older band with a synth and live drums gets two thumbs up from me!
Ministry
Despite all the deadly amounts of alcohol and drugs this band takes before and after their shows, still one of the tightest and LOUDEST bands ever. More bands rip off Ministry's looks, sounds, and styles than they'll ever have the balls to admit. This band was the real fucking deal band that all of the Linkin Parks wanted to be.
Modest Mouse
Here's another band with no posing involved. I'd say these guys are top 5 for best songwriters for me. It isn't just done different, it's done smart. Still catchy enough too for people to give them some fame from "float on" several years back! These guys were making the music everyone is trying to make now back.. shit it's been 20 years already?
My Bloody Valentine
I would hope this band didn't have to make the list, but most people wouldn't know good music if it crawled up their shit holes and kissed their insides. I know I kissed all these bands' asses, but if you haven't heard My Bloody Valentine you should probably cut your own head off after you finish reading this sentence. Or actually, better yet go out and buy one of their records! They took prety simple pop songs and layered it with fucking walls of guitars and fuzz, making an entirely new sound that you weren't even aware your speakers could recreate. Very excited about their new album, too!
-Novak