Postcards from the fringe: Four 1980s bands that deserved more of the spotlight

by

In my gaming world, as we transitioned from the retro arcade era to the neon-lit ’80s, the rhythm of music changed just like gameplay mechanics do. The ’70s were a melting pot of diverse styles, culminating in new wave and the lingering echoes of punk rock. But when the ’80s hit, it was a symphony of fresh tunes and a flood of new bands and artists, much like the influx of innovative games and characters that stormed the gaming scene.

Some found great triumph, while others had more modest achievements. It’s unfortunate because many ’80s bands deserved greater recognition, success, and a broader audience. Unfortunately, this wasn’t always possible, possibly due to their limited success within their own country or failure to gain traction in other areas.

Indeed, these four groups share a unique bond in their origins, as they all left a relatively minor impact on American audiences yet warranted significantly more recognition. Here’s a brief overview of each one; feel free to explore further if you find any that pique your interest:

1. The Zombies – A British Invasion band from the 1960s, known for their hits “She’s Not There” and “Time of the Season.”
2. Love – An American psychedelic rock band active in the late ’60s, famous for their contributions to the genre with songs like “Alone Again Or” and “My Little Red Book.”
3. The Left Banke – Another American group from the ’60s that blended baroque pop and psychedelia, with popular tracks such as “Walk Away Renee” and “Pretty Ballerina.”
4. The Chambers Brothers – An influential American soul and psych-rock band that emerged in the mid-1960s, best known for their hit version of “Time Has Come Today.”

Four 1980s bands that deserved more of the spotlight

Cocteau Twins

Let’s kick off our list featuring the amazing Cocteau Twins hailing from Scotland. Could their style be categorized as early shoegaze or dream pop? Regardless of the specific genre, they certainly possess a unique sound.

The sound was fantastic, with an otherworldly quality and a sense of being enveloped in a shimmering environment. Their voices were undeniably ethereal. It was a remarkable blend. While many readers may recognize the band, they are highly esteemed and acclaimed. However, their success was somewhat restricted, and they deserved a wider audience, perhaps even on a global stage.

In the UK, they didn’t achieve massive commercial success, but they occasionally managed to enter the top 40 singles. They didn’t gain significant popularity in the US until their song “Carolyn’s Fingers” was released as a single in 1988 and climbed up to the second spot on the US Alternative chart.

Speaking as a devoted fan, the sequence of hits that resonated with me were “Iceblink Luck” and “Heaven or Las Vegas,” which reached positions four and nine on the Alternative chart in the U.S. Remarkably, my favorite band was established back in 1981, making them a band of the 1980s, despite their more significant U.S. success coming slightly after that decade.

For those who are familiar with them, they’re undoubtedly recognizable; yet, some might recognize their name without being aware of their music. If you haven’t checked them out yet, I’d recommend giving them a spin.

Orange Juice

The four bands in question are all rooted in Scotland, which might explain why they didn’t gain massive global acclaim. However, their Scottish origins shouldn’t be considered a hindrance. Orange Juice, for instance, experimented with different sounds over time, and their most successful song, “Rip It Up” (released in 1983), represented a new direction for them.

The guitar has a thick, unique sound reminiscent of Nile Rodgers and Chic, accompanied by a fresh bass synth rhythm. This tune made significant waves in the UK, reaching number eight on the charts. It remains popular and distinctively 80s in its sound. Compared to their earlier records, this song leans more towards a jangly pop style with guitars. Notably, frontman Edwyn Collins later achieved solo success with “A Girl Like You” in 1994.

The Associates

Billy McKenzie teamed up with Alan Rankin to establish The Associates. They infused a dramatic flair into their music, which helped them garner attention amidst the bustling Scottish independent music scene of the 1980s. Their sound could have been categorized as new romantic or artrock, and they were frequently praised by critics. However, much like numerous bands during that era, their critical acclaim didn’t always translate into the commercial success they merited.

One of their well-recognized tracks was “Party Fears Two,” which became a top 20 hit in 1982. This song, penned during the late 70s post-punk phase, didn’t find its place back then. However, it was reworked to fit perfectly with the early ’80s music scene.

According to its title, it’s an excellent dance tune that can rightfully be called a timeless hit. Tragically, McKenzie took his life in 1997, effectively ending the group’s story, while Rankine passed away in 2023.

Aztec Camera

Among today’s list of notable Scottish bands from the 1980s, one group that should have received more attention and success was led by Roddy Frame. They have an impressive collection of records to their name, with six studio albums released during both the 1980s and 1990s. Notably, they had several hit singles in the UK charts during the 1980s as well.

It wasn’t until the mid-1990s that “The Crying Scene” and “Good Morning Britain,” which included Mick Jones of The Clash, began to influence the US Alternative charts significantly. Both tracks managed to reach the top 20 on this particular chart.

Prior to that, some of their best songs you might want to check out are “Oblivion” and “Somewhere In My Heart.” These are upbeat pop tunes that have been skillfully composed and executed. I highly recommend listening to their first two albums, “High Land, Hard Rain” (1983) and “Knife” (1984). Both are worth the effort of finding and listening to. You can’t go wrong with their other four albums as well.

Read More

2025-07-11 13:00