One of my friends loves Split Enz. 

Both Split Enz and Fleet Foxes have done moderately well, Split Enz was popular for a week or two back in the Eighties - they seemed to shift generas a lot, which always confuses fans, but I think the two brothers from there Tim Finn and Neil Finn are still touring and selling like 2K tickets in major markets.  And their record True Colors did OK, back in 80 or so.

And I thought - ok, I know - that the Fleet Foxes LP/CD/recording release last year was on everyone's short list for LP/CD/recording release of the year, and they are selling out shows all over with the kind of Alt-hippie-folk-country types who like My Morning Jacket a la Bob Dylan.  They are about to 'do' Europe including a gig at the Isle of Wight fest deal, which is pretty big.

What Fleet Foxes did - other than being one more 'indy' band out of Seattle - was get huge exposure from their MySpace/Facebook whatever site.  That really gave them a big boost. But it tends to be the under 30 somes who know all that stuff.

Quote from: tekla on August 25, 2009, 07:24:27 AM
But it tends to be the under 30 somes who know all that stuff.

Ouch, that hurts! 

LL&R

Maebh

Yeah, I am, but I do know and talk to young people.  And its my biz too.

Quote from: heatherrose on August 25, 2009, 08:57:55 PM

I just like good music. Hard or soft, fast or slow, new or old
it makes no never mind. Good music is good music.

Amen.

Heard The Sadies a few weeks back and thought they were pretty good. I am sure they are not unknown simply new to me.
Myles

I'd mention Dissonance and the Enharmonic Whiteboys (formerly known as Buster Heilman and the Penetrators), but I get the impression that mentioning bands made up of my old high school classmates doesn't really count.

Mr. Bungle was the popular band  made up of fellow students at my high school. They did release a few albums and the lead singer was in another  band that was popular for a few minutes (Faith no More).
Myles

Okay, back to "real" bands.

the Danse Society
Sexbeat
Dominatrix

Ra Ra Riot is new to me...they're touring with the Killers, so I suppose they can't be that obscure, although I'm the only person I know that listens to them.

Also, I get to see Unknown Hinson this weekend!  He's pretty spectacular, if you like really offbeat musical humor.  He also voices "Early" on the Squidbillies.

Mister Bungle was my older kids favorite band for a while.

Check out this girl, I think she was a guard on Rikers Island in NY before she joined the group.



They are called Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings (or the 'terrorist fist bumb kings' for you Fox News people).

She's not just a performer, she's a force of nature.  Lots of vids on Utube.

Martha and the Muffins
Donny Iris

I've been on kinda a RiotGrrl kick, L7, Bratmobile, Bikini Kill, Heavens to Betsy, and 7 Year Bitch.  I like their DIY spirit and that old school, (pre ProTools) sound.

Wow, I remember L7. How about Book of Love and Necropolis of Love.

Mine aren't really that obscure, but these are the ones I like that nobody I come across usually knows:

Splashdown
Supreme Beings of Leisure
Casey Stratton
Devin Townsend
The Divine Comedy

Splashdown is my favorite of all these. They were an electropop/rock band with a quirky-cute lead songstress. They recorded and played live in the late 90's but didn't sell many records. I recall rumors of a massive label dispute. I collected all their music after I heard Karma Slave from the Titan A.E. Soundtrack. They split up and now do solo projects (i.e. Universal Hall Pass, Symbion Project) that are sometimes fun, but don't scratch the same itch.

I know Devin isn't that obscure, but for some reason I haven't met anyone (i.e. face to face) in years who has heard of him. He's done voices on Metalocalypse, so someone else out there has to be listening to his albums.

Also, I liked a band for awhile called Groovelily after I saw them live, but I've found their actual records to be a little dull. They feature a lot of electric violin, and the instrument isn't nearly as cool on record as it is in person. I have yet to run into someone who has heard of them.

DIE FORM, DIE FORM & aaahhh...DIE FORM!!!