Good, Unknown bands?

[willierower]

There are some really good unknown bands out there. One of my favorite is a Blues type band out of Canada called "Big Sugar" They broke up a fews ago. Their music is kind of hard to find, but its worth the effort if you like mellow rock with a touch of blues.


Whats your favorite "unknown" band or bands?

[Catch 22]

Check out these guys. A little harder rock than some may like, but they have a soft side too. And they're from the Portland area!!

Identity Zero:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...5-bb1ec2e09424

[willierower]

Originally Posted by Catch 22

Check out these guys. A little harder rock than some may like, but they have a soft side too. And they're from the Portland area!!

Identity Zero:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...5-bb1ec2e09424

Not bad,

I see they are doing a show with Forrestals Fall, My GF is friends with Zak of FF. They are actually pretty good for a local band.

[Catch 22]

Originally Posted by willierower

Not bad,

I see they are doing a show with Forrestals Fall, My GF is friends with Zak of FF. They are actually pretty good for a local band.

I went to Grade School and High School with the guitarist and the bassist. They have been playing together for about 20 years!!

[Mad Mikey]

Originally Posted by willierower

There are some really good unknown bands out there. One of my favorite is a Blues type band out of Canada called "Big Sugar" They broke up a fews ago. Their music is kind of hard to find, but its worth the effort if you like mellow rock with a touch of blues.


Whats your favorite "unknown" band or bands?

Thanks for the recco, not too shabby. Quite a few of their vids on Youtube.

If you like folk mixed with some a cappella and three part harmony, check out the Wailin' Jennys. They got their start on Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion". I saw them do 3-4 songs on OPB and bought all three of their albums. The band has changed members a few times but the quality is still great. They're Canadian also.

Beautiful Dawn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00dWtcTds24

Swing version of "Bring me lil' water Silvy": (a personal favorite)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wS_m...eature=related

One Voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it73s...eature=related


They have quite a bit of faster paced material but not available on the net, apparently.

[Joe C]

Great thread. This is an excellent era in music. everyone is going independent. So there's no label influence and in turn, some of the most original stuff is being shared. Great time to support live musicians and buy their music.

Even the bands I like who have label support don't have much radio impact, but still get record deals cause they have loyal fanbases. Guys like Jack Johnson, Ben harper, Matt Costa... etc..

Favorite unknown Singer/songwriter: Jay Buchanan

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=18186175

another great songwriter (a bit better known): Steve Poltz

http://www.myspace.com/stevepoltz

I'm also into alt country/rock:

Dead Rock west
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=10484314

Truckee Brothers

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...iendid=3949087

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=34897860



Fun groovin backyard bbq music:
Slightly Stoopid (a little better known)
http://www.myspace.com/stoopid

[StickFish]

I guess you can say most of what I listen to is unknown cause you sure will not hear Planet X on the radio or Marillion for that matter - well at least not in the US. Independence is the key to music not influenced by the machine. I think Marillion calls it living life a different way.

Right now Marillion is mixing their 15th album, paid for by fans, before they even starting writing it. They decide they have some ideas, go to their webzine and say, "you want to hear some more of us?" They put togther a special edition with a nice case and booklet and sell it with some extra tracks and a few more bucks and offer it for pre-order. They send us Podcasts every now and again with progress and web notes - Yes I ordered my copy.

Progressive rock died in the US in the late 70's, get this knocked out of the stadiums and back into small theaters and night clubs in favor of PUNK - YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! However, its true. Prog Rock is very alive in Europe and more so in the Eastern US. But out here if it doesn't look like a Barbie doll, and sound like a girl singing through her nose it isn't going anywhere.

Something I really enjoy doing is going to a bands Myspace page and see who their musical friends are. I have found so many cool bands doing that. Heck its how I found Marillion, from a friends suggestion to check out Transatlantic. Marillion led me to Porcupine tree, Abagails Ghost, Liquid Tension Expirement, Dream Theater. Dream Threater led me to Planet X and back to Transatlantic, than over to Spock's Beard and Flower Kings. Porcupine Tree lead me to their opening band 3 (Slap technique on an accoustic guitar - wow!). The list goes on and on and one again, we go round and round and round until we pick it up again, time flies on and on to the setting sun, asteriel travelers have always been here with us, if I was late I had to leave to hear his wondrous stories, in and around the lake the mountains come out of the sky they stand there, Your's is No Disgrace. Ooops sorry - just a Yes medley.

[fishy2k]

There was a band at Day 1 of Cycle Oregon XVI, called PONTICELLO, and they sounded really good. There music is a little Celtic, a little jazz, and a little Cajun. I know there was beer involved that night, but they really did sound good. Can't find a link to there website, but www.cdbaby.com sells their music.

Fishy2k

[Joe]

Reckless Kelly from Austin, Texas formerly from Bend, Oregon

This is one of my favorite covers they do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlylarCRayI

I was right up front for this recording down in Austin. What a kick!!

[Mad Mikey]

Originally Posted by Joe

Reckless Kelly from Austin, Texas formerly from Bend, Oregon

This is one of my favorite covers they do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlylarCRayI

I was right up front for this recording down in Austin. What a kick!!

Reckless Kelly is a great band. Richard Thompson may very well be one of the most under appreciated guitarist/songwriters out there.

Nice to see him getting some covers.

He even covered a Britanny Spears song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAS4ltt7DzI

I have a few of his earlier albums with his former wife, Linda.

Good stuff.

[garyk]

Following up on Stickfish's post....

'Mercury Rev' is worth the money...their latest release "The Secret Migration" is getting a lot of play on my car stereo.

'Sky Cries Mary' is probably my favorite NW alt band.

another local 'King Black Acid' did some interesting stuff

one more local "Drumatica" is worth a listen.

[Got One!]

Brand X quite possibly the best musicians on the planet (Phil Collins was fortunate enough to play a few tracks with them) From a musicians perspective.....good lord.

do yourself a favor and check them out

[SlimeyLimey]

Ahhhhh....ummmmm....I know these guys pretty well...!

http://cdbaby.com/cd/burrmans

S

[StickFish]

Originally Posted by Got One!

Brand X quite possibly the best musicians on the planet (Phil Collins was fortunate enough to play a few tracks with them) From a musicians perspective.....good lord.

do yourself a favor and check them out

That was an amazing band - saw them in the 70's in San Francisco with both Keys and Phil on the tubs - one of the top 10 shows I every saw.

If you like them, than you would also like Camel

[Chromaflage]

A few years back, I saw "Liquid Blues" in a pub in Sandy. These guys have one of the best harp players I've seen locally.

http://liquidblues.com/songs.html

[willierower]

Thanks for the heads up on some of the local bands. The G/F is always bugging me to take to some shows. Now I have an idea on who to go see.....

[Incredible_Bulk]

Not a local band, but for those that really enjoy the Blues.

Dogskin Suit out of Kelowna, BC.

We saw them in a blues bar up there, and were hooked. The guys are great.

www.dogskinsuit.com

Cheers,
Bulk

[Ryan Pultz]

my buddy Dans band Darkfield illuminator
http://www.myspace.com/darkfieldilluminator

And my Friend from church bank Cicero
http://www.myspace.com/cicerosoundlab

[Drakeblake]

Originally Posted by Joe

Reckless Kelly from Austin, Texas formerly from Bend, Oregon

This is one of my favorite covers they do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlylarCRayI

I was right up front for this recording down in Austin. What a kick!!

Reckless Kelly gets my vote as well. I saw them in Eugene one time....awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko2BRa5o_84

=blake

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Drakeblake

Reckless Kelly gets my vote as well. I saw them in Eugene one time....awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko2BRa5o_84

=blake

Halloween of 06? I was there too! Did you see this?

http://recklesskelly.com/BP_preview.htm

[Drakeblake]

I was there! That place got a little crazy after the band finished. NEW TUNES!!! SWEET.

=blake

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Drakeblake

I was there! That place got a little crazy after the band finished. NEW TUNES!!! SWEET.

=blake

We got VIP invites from the band for the "RK Was Here" CD/DVD shoot in Austin and that was really crazy afterwords! Those boys know how to get the party going.....

[MarlinMark]

Cross Canadian Ragweed. http://youtube.com/watch?v=VIKxAtcbEWY&feature=related

No, they aren't Canadians. Oklahoma born.

Mark

[Straydog]

I'm 54 years old, been to three horses races and a county fair, and ain't never had more fun than at a Burrmann gig!!!!!!!!!

"There's one thing I've never done,
I ain't never had too much fun.............!!!"

[Drakeblake]

Originally Posted by MarlinMark

Cross Canadian Ragweed. http://youtube.com/watch?v=VIKxAtcbEWY&feature=related

No, they aren't Canadians. Oklahoma born.

Mark

You gotta love the new "CCR"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NX35cv61nGc

=blake

[fishnhuntnfool]

If you want a good funky show, checkout Hillstomp! They played at McMennamins in Forest Grove a month back or so for the northwest music tour. Very funky 1 guitarist (mostly slide) and a drummer that plays on a set mixed up with tin cans and plastic buckets. You'd never know it just by listening to them
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endID=12088868.

If you like blues, my wife and I have enjoyed Sonny Hess on occasion at McMenamins as well.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endID=63693351

[Joe C]

Originally Posted by fishnhuntnfool

If you want a good funky show, checkout Hillstomp! They played at McMennamins in Forest Grove a month back or so for the northwest music tour. Very funky 1 guitarist (mostly slide) and a drummer that plays on a set mixed up with tin cans and plastic buckets. You'd never know it just by listening to them
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endID=12088868.

If you like blues, my wife and I have enjoyed Sonny Hess on occasion at McMenamins as well.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endID=63693351

Nice, I need to go to Mcmenamins more often. I live close to the imbrie hall one, but I'd be up for a drive to forest grove for a good show.

My coworkers husband is in this local blues band called Kolvane (formerly the rose city kings)

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndid=173721861

[Just_learning]

I have always been a fan of Beulah. they are no longer together, but had some pretty good mellow sounding music.

[fish-on-bend]

Remedy Motel out of San Diego. Sound like REM, but better.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...iendid=2169196


And my favorite- The Subdudes, sound like Little Feat with a Cajun twist and better vocals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHaiDWvBUBM

[raptorschild]

Big Head todd and the monsters.


Actually a very well known band in certain parts of the country like Colorado...but unheard of other places.

They are a true american rock and roll band, with a little blues sprinkled in.

They are all about 40 years old, and as good as they will ever be.



Also....Social Distortion. Great band....Hank Willaims meets the Ramones pretty much sums them up.

[StickFish]

You know what would be fun to do is have a iFish musical gathering. Everyone coming make up a short 1/2 hour mix of their favorite unknowns and bring to the event, do a pot luck and stuff. Cause I read these and know how wild everyones taste of music is, but it would be fun to listen and have some fun - hum?

[Joe C]

Originally Posted by StickFish

You know what would be fun to do is have a iFish musical gathering. Everyone coming make up a short 1/2 hour mix of their favorite unknowns and bring to the event, do a pot luck and stuff. Cause I read these and know how wild everyones taste of music is, but it would be fun to listen and have some fun - hum?

it would be nice. With the way all these independent and local acts are these days, it's all about word of mouth. I've found some of my favorite bands by accident.

[Joe C]

Originally Posted by fish-on-bend

Remedy Motel out of San Diego. Sound like REM, but better.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...iendid=2169196

Saw them a few years back at the belly up in solana beach as an opener. Great live act. Didn't think anybody up here knew of them.

[The Reverend]

Had to throw my in on this one, since I see that nobody yet has mentioned Eugene's own alternative/metal trio, FLOATER! I see mention of Drumattica, which is a side project of Floater's vocalist... If you haven't seen Floater in person, you are seriously missing out. I think they have 7 albums now, 2 more live albums, and a 3rd live album set to be released soon. Exiled Army!!!

http://www.myspace.com/floater

[fish_on]

Speaking of Reckless Kelly, is anyone headed to Idaho through the 4th of July? They will be playing all over the place. We're going to see the folks and watch RK at Tamarak Resort, the Sorry for Partying tour. Anyone else going to be there?

http://www.tamarackidaho.com/events.php?eventid=1094

[Joel O]

Originally Posted by MarlinMark

Cross Canadian Ragweed. http://youtube.com/watch?v=VIKxAtcbEWY&feature=related

No, they aren't Canadians. Oklahoma born.

Mark

I'll cosign this one. CCR is a great "mainstream" country band that is still relatively unknown. They NEVER tour the west coast though, despite my numerous emails to the band .

Jesse Dayton - "Old school" country musician. Think Waylon Jennings for Generation Y.

Supersuckers - Worlds greatest rock 'n roll band.

[soulrider]

yeah I thought about mentioning floater but alot of people around here have heard of them, I think the idea stickfish has is a good one except for the fact that you guys would kick me out of there as soon as I put in my cd.....lol....

[Joe C]

Originally Posted by Joel O

Supersuckers - Worlds greatest rock 'n roll band.

"Born with a tail" is my favorite song by those guys. I've gotta check them out live.

[Jig]

Hyper Static Union (From Camas, WA)...

[devonian]

If you like mellow acoustic stuff, try Ray Lamontagne. His voice is amazing.

[henry1223]

There's a great Scottish band, a power trio, called Back Door Slam. They are all about 21 years old, and play great bluesy rock; they obviously owe a large debt to Cream, and are almost as good musicians as Clapton, Baker, and Bruce. I highly recommend them to folks who like the blues. Roll Away is the name of their album.

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Joel O

I'll cosign this one. CCR is a great "mainstream" country band that is still relatively unknown. They NEVER tour the west coast though, despite my numerous emails to the band .

I've seen Ragweed in Seattle twice, Portland twice and Eugene once. They tour here every year.

[Joe]

Originally Posted by fish_on

Speaking of Reckless Kelly, is anyone headed to Idaho through the 4th of July? They will be playing all over the place. We're going to see the folks and watch RK at Tamarak Resort, the Sorry for Partying tour. Anyone else going to be there?

http://www.tamarackidaho.com/events.php?eventid=1094

We were gonna go but decided to go to the BBR in August instead.

[Redbull]

Poi Dog Pondering.

[reelbigfish72]

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndID=169785874

Clutch, not totally unknown, but not well known either.

[BarroomHero]

Flogging Molly

[Joel O]

Originally Posted by Joe

I've seen Ragweed in Seattle twice, Portland twice and Eugene once. They tour here every year.

They haven't been to Oregon since they played the Oregon Jamboree on 07/31/05...and they aren't playing here this year either.

link

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Joel O

They haven't been to Oregon since they played the Oregon Jamboree on 07/31/05...and they aren't playing here this year either.

link

Sorry man but you've been missing out on the fun. They headlined Duffs Garage late summer of '05 and that is a tiny little place. I missed that one too unfortunately.

I did see them headline at a dive of a bar called Outlaws on July 28th, 2006. A friend of mine opened up for them. They opened up for REK on March 1, 2007 at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland. That was a great show! Mike McClure was playing with them since it was the last show before they headed to Calif. to record Mission California. They also played there with Dierks the fall of '06 which is when I saw them with Dierks in Eugene. They got robbed at gun point that night according to Cody Canada when we talked to him in Eugene. Some ******* stepped on the bus and took Bert's (body guard) wallet.

If I get some time I'll post some pics. We were front and center for every show.

I have a hunch we will see some OR and WA shows this August when they head to Idaho to play with Reckless at the BBR....

[Joe]

Can't believe we haven't mentioned Chris Knight yet! One of the best singer songwriters I've even seen play. He was at Duffs Garage and when I counted bodies in the room there were 37 people including the wait staff. I sat there in awe of how somebody that good could play in a town of a few million and only 37 of us were lucky enough to see the show.....

Check him out please!

http://www.myspace.com/chrisknight45

[garyk]

Originally Posted by The Reverend

Had to throw my in on this one, since I see that nobody yet has mentioned Eugene's own alternative/metal trio, FLOATER! I see mention of Drumattica, which is a side project of Floater's vocalist...

I always thought Floater was from Seattle....I think I have one of their 'analog' recordings....

Poi Dog Pondering - unknown??? got a couple of their disks too.

[garyk]

Last week I was pleasantly stunned to hear STIFF LITTLE FINGERS playing 'Johnny Was..' on a local FM station....which I never listen to because of the incredibly boring playlist.

We should start another thread - "Is there another city in the USA that has worst FM rock offerings than Portland, Oregon?"

[Radke]

Originally Posted by Catch 22

Check out these guys. A little harder rock than some may like, but they have a soft side too. And they're from the Portland area!!

Identity Zero:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...5-bb1ec2e09424

WOW!! much impressed. They sound very much like Metallica, one of my favorites.

[Cornbread]

Originally Posted by BarroomHero

Flogging Molly

Heck yes!

[Mad Mikey]

Not your traditional Keltic band: Keltic Cowboys, great stuff!

http://www.kelticcowboys.com/media/blackhole.mp3

http://www.kelticcowboys.com/media/bestwestern.mp3

Can't find a sample of "Sound of a gun", but it's awesome.

[henry1223]

Originally Posted by garyk

Last week I was pleasantly stunned to hear STIFF LITTLE FINGERS playing 'Johnny Was..' on a local FM station....which I never listen to because of the incredibly boring playlist.

We should start another thread - "Is there another city in the USA that has worst FM rock offerings than Portland, Oregon?"

SLF is one of my all-time favorite bands - I've seen them many times, from the 70's when they first got together, to last year when they played at Dante's. "Johnny Was" is simply the best cover of a Bob Marley song ever, including stupid Eric Clapton's abortion of "I Shot the Sheriff." The entire album that the song is on, "Inflammable Material" is classic. SLF is the most underrated band from the punk era.

[fish_on]

Originally Posted by Joel O

They haven't been to Oregon since they played the Oregon Jamboree on 07/31/05...and they aren't playing here this year either.

link

CCR was at the Crystal Ballroom last year with Robert Earl Keen, Reckless Kelly was with Big Head Todd a week earlier. CCR was in Idaho at the Braun Brothers reunion the last 2 year and will there there this year too.

[reelbigfish72]

Originally Posted by Cornbread

Heck yes!

If you like Flogging Molly you'd probably also like The Pogues and Dropkick Murphys.

[Cornbread]

Originally Posted by reelbigfish72

If you like Flogging Molly you'd probably also like The Pogues and Dropkick Murphys.

Yep you are correct I do like both of them as well

[garyk]

Originally Posted by henry1223

The entire album that the song is on, "Inflammable Material" is classic. SLF is the most underrated band from the punk era.

Wouldya believe I've got the original release? Oh, the parties that LP has been too....if I could just remember them

Originally Posted by reelbigfish72

.... and Dropkick Murphys.

"Shipping Up to Boston" might be our official Tuna hunting theme song this season

[reelbigfish72]

Originally Posted by Cornbread

Yep you are correct I do like both of them as well

Black 47 has a similar sound also.