Most unfortunate cult band of all time . . .

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I was thinking of what band might have gotten big with one album or started to build something but never got anywhere beyond cult status with their next album. That is the plague of some 80s groups. I have only began to discover the wonders of the 70s rock outfit known as Thin Lizzy which is well known to rock afficianados but never could break back into the Top 40 after "The Boys are Back in Town". Too bad, because they really are a great band. Other examples?

― Luptune Pitman, Tuesday, 21 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Well, this easily crosses over with the one-hit-wonder thread, since Soft Cell and then Marc Almond on his own created an absolutely amazing slew of albums that, well, continues to this day. Astounding stuff. Talk Talk has the same situation, "It's My Life" being their only song that did anything on the top 40 charts. Both speaking in American terms of course.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 21 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Don't know the breakdown on Lizzy in US, but they had top ten singles and LPs over ten yrs and more in UK, between Whisky in the Jar (which I detest btw) and P.Lynott's death. Sure they wanted to be BIGGER, but they're weren't exactly one-hit cult-sters. Live and Dangerous, their double live (fifth LP relase, so not a Foghat deal), went to #2, and was in the charts more than a year.

― mark s, Tuesday, 21 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

You mean Pretty In Pink didnt do well in the charts? Im just a sucker for bad 80s teen flicks.

I offer up Eric's Trip and their family of resulting bands. Julie Doiron won a Juno for beast alternative album but still plays to small crowds in small clubs and cafes. I guess Love Tara did well enough to be considered a hit, they got three or four videos off of it from Subpoop

― zacko, Tuesday, 21 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

"Pretty in Pink"? The Psych Furs, surely, not Soft Cell...

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 21 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

When I think unfortunate cult bands, I think bands with an unfortunate cult... like Sabbath. Or Metallica.

― JM, Tuesday, 21 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

the Cardigans

in the US at least.

― Michael Taylor, Tuesday, 21 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Oh, probably something I was in.

― duane, Wednesday, 22 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

The Go-betweens, anyone? The most underappreciated band ever (and undeservedly so...)

― Simone, Wednesday, 22 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

no Talk Talk, I must have gone sideways for a second for some reason I saw Talk Talk though thought Furs. My brain makes no sense some times. Was such a long boring day at work I was just going crazy.

― zacko, Wednesday, 22 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

'Most unfortunate'? Come on. Badfinger.

― dave q, Wednesday, 22 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Moby Grape. Brilliant debut alb fucked by mentalist marketing plan (eg releasing five singles from it all at the same time!!)

― Andrew L, Wednesday, 22 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Haysi Fantayzee! Come on, someone agree with me. "I'm a hot retard/Marquis de Sade!" Come on! "I Lost My Dodi"!

Kate Fantayzee--now superstar shutterbug Kate Garner--lived across the street from my friend Ranney in LA. He said she was a lovely neighbor.

― Arthur, Wednesday, 22 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Arthur, if I heard that cheeful, goofy, nonsensical song right now (it must be what, 15 years since I've heard it) I would surely burst into tears, for my youth, my innocence, both of which are long lost.

― Sean, Thursday, 23 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

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