As I obsess over who to mention here, one band comes to mind that has consistently put out material from their inception until now, have retained an adoring fan base, but still have not made their mark on the general public, and probably never will.

 

Some here may have heard of them, I'm guessing that many have not.

 

British band "Marillion" gets my vote as a terribly underrated band.

 

Their first 4 releases were fronted by very strong vocalist, lead singer "Fish" and since 1989 his very fine replacement has been Steve Hogarth.

 

Here is a live version of probably their most noticed tune "Kayliegh" along with "Lavender" because it did appear on MTV years ago and got very limited airplay. It came from a masterpiece and deeply emotional album "Misplaced Childhood"

 

Early on they had comparisons to "Genesis" and "Phil Collins" to some degree. My first mouth dropping experience hearing them live years ago was when they opened up for "Rush" while supporting "Misplaced Childhood" and I became an instant fan.

 

Similar to the rockin' style of Bad Company, The late Ronnie Montrose, and great rock singer Davey Pattison fronted a band named "Gamma". They released about 4 proper albums, mostly in the 80's

 

This timeless tune "Wish I was" was my favorite by them and still very much moves me.

 

Overshadowed by many of the popular Metal bands of the time, hot rockin' German band "Accept", although putting out numerous solid releases over the years didn't exactly become a household name.

 

Lead singer Udo Dirkschnieder has continued to for years front his own band "UDO", while fantastic guitarist Wolf Hoffman has continued to some degree keep Accept on routine tours.

 

Wolf and Udo joined together here and there for some proper Accept reunions, but they seemed to have functioned better in their separate bands.

 

I'm sure everyone remembers "Balls to the Wall" but might've been about as far as the general public went to investigate.

 

If anyone has the impression that most Christian Rock doesn't quite rock or can sometimes be cheesy, they have never heard "Sixteen Horsepower".

 

Lead singer David Eugene Edwards, a confirmed Christian from Denver, never pens a tune without consulting with his maker. His live performances are roll back in the eyes serious and intense.

 

No matter what you believe in, it's not hard to believe this guy, and his sound is all his own.

 

It tends to be a blend of a Rock/Folk/Appalacia sorta vibe.

 

They probably could never be neatly compartmentalized, so they never got much, if any airtime, but nonetheless, they are a gem of a sadly mostly unnoticed band.

 

Since the mid-90's and about 5 proper "SH" releases, DEE went on to put out about 7 more with "Woven Hand".

 

I had the great fortune of catching them live awhile back at the Southgate House and it stands out as a one of a kind show that I won't soon forget. Goose bump-a-rama and intense.

 

Another band way up on my list that was/is largely unappreciated by the masses is Dayton's own Guided By Voices, one of the great indie rock bands of the 90s and 00s. If you need something to jam to while at work, or want something to rock out to for a few hours at home, I'd highly recommend this amazing concert:

 

The Outfield

 

Good get. Not sure if it's the right answer. But certainly a good contribution.

Gotta throw ELO in there. A large catalog of songs, everyone knows them but are hardly mentioned anyone's favorite.

Gotta throw ELO in there. A large catalog of songs, everyone knows them but are hardly mentioned anyone's favorite.

 

In my teen years ELO was solidly in my Top 5. You're right though, they don't get mentioned enough considering how much brilliant stuff they put out... You're making me want to revisit them. It's been way too long since I have.

Gotta throw ELO in there. A large catalog of songs, everyone knows them but are hardly mentioned anyone's favorite.

 

I think they got a lot of respect from members of the music industry. Jeff Lynne being part of the Traveling Wilbury's would be proof of that. Great band.

On a different note, how about Little Feat? Waiting for Columbus is a quintessential live album, which was reflective of their range, from rock to jazz to country. Further, Phish played the whole album, beginning to end, on Halloween a few years back in AC.

In my teen years ELO was solidly in my Top 5. You're right though, they don't get mentioned enough considering how much brilliant stuff they put out... You're making me want to revisit them. It's been way too long since I have.

 

I listen to ELO regularly on Spotify. My dad had the mid-70s albums which are still great...Face the Music, A New World Record, and Out of the Blue.

 

Another band I loved from the same time is Wings. Still listen to them all the time as well.

 

Another band I loved from the same time is Wings Still listen to them all the time as well.

 

Wings had a least one band member that was not underrated. A guy by the name of Paul McCartney?

ELO and Little Feat are both widely respected in music history. I wouldn't consider them underrated.

I think these guys are underrated...

 

I think these guys are underrated...

 

It may just be the circles I run in, but Weezer gets major respect.