I don’t bleg often. In fact, this may be the first time. I want to hear what you know about a certain sort of American or Canadian late-’70s-through-mid-’80s moderately successful arena rock ‘n’ roll act. Their stuff is usually poppy, but definitely guitar-based. It gets into unambiguous hard rock territory frequently, but stops short of all-out heavy metal.
But I don’t want superstars. I’m after artists who were big regionally, and for a time probably made an exclusively musical living, but a blue collar one. They drew 3,000 people to the state fair, and may have even spent a little time opening for a big name on a national tour, but they never broke through to limos, piles of heroin, and 50-roadie crews. Copy? Michael Stanley and Donnie Iris are good examples on the softer end of the scale. Rail and Headpins are about as heavy as I want to go.
These artists seem mostly concentrated in the northern U.S. and Canada, though Atlanta-based The Producers is a good example of an exception.
Rail is my current listening project, but I’ll need another one after that. Who you got?
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Triumph and April Wine are two names that immediately come to mind. Both may be a little bigger and a little heavier than what you’re looking for.
Thanks, Lee. Triumph and April Wine are exactly what I want musically, but as you indicated, they’re too big, i.e. I already know about them (and like them!).
I want those little “discoveries”–the artists whose hometowns had little idea they weren’t big everywhere. For example, I once knew a woman from Cleveland who couldn’t believe Michael Stanley wasn’t at least, like, Eddie Money-famous nationwide.
I knew you already had The Producers in your stack.
The Cold. The Cold, no longer exist. The Cold were awesome, but regional to NOLA. The Cold opened for the Producers. http://www.threechordcity.com/downloads.htm If anyone can find me a copy of the compilation “16 Songs Off a Dead Band’s Chest,” I would be grateful.
Other than those 2, the only bands I can think of had more jazz and blues influences than arena rock or pop.
Not sure that they fit your categories exactly, but check out Brother Cane. Great little rock band that while I think a lot of people have heard of, didn’t quite make it to where everyone knows about them. Damon Johnson, the lead singer is originally from the small town of Geraldine, Alabama.
I totally concur with the Brother Cane recommendation. I’m pretty sure their lead guitarist on their last two albums (David Anderson) is from Huntsville.
Damon Johnson was at the last Big Spring Jam singing with Whiskey Falls, a country band with a rock edge.
‘seester: Thanks. Just poked around a bit so far, but interesting. Bit of a punk undercurrent there.
Scott, Tami: Brother Cane was definitely a good band, particularly the first album. I also liked the Slave to the System record.
Believe it or not, I still listen to Michael Stanley, got a couple of so of his songs on one of my iPods. He does a fine version of the Beatles’ “Help,” and a cool two-song medley/pastiche of Dylan’s “My Back Pages,” and the Byrds’ “Goin’ Back.”
Axe, Jon Butcher, and you already noted Sass Jordan. By the way, she’s still making music. I bought her latest (2009) CD last year, and it’s not bad. It’s a mellower, more eclectic style. I’ll always be more partial to the Rats and Racine style.
I just noticed the date on this, but I’m posting it anyway.
Daniel, I’m with you. I felt that way about her last two records. I also liked Tell Somebody, the one that was before Racine, but it’s a bit poppier. Good to “see” you here!
I’m a little late with a reply (what’s ten years, these days?), but are you familiar with Webb Wilder? Not exactly the kind of music you’re describing, but great guitar music. His most well-known song is “Human Cannonball.”
Human Cannonball
Hunter, the first time I flirted with my wife was at a Webb Wilder show! 🙂