Your favorite artist has a favorite artist. And if your favorite artist was ever part of a famous 90s rock band, their favorite artist is probably on this list. Let’s take a look at a few blip on the radar rock bands from the 1990s that are way more influential than they get credit for!
Videos by American Songwriter
1. Labradford
Labradford got together in 1991 in Virginia, and they were making music that simply couldn’t be found in 1990s rock at the time. The trio took a more minimal approach to songwriting that stepped away from run-of-the-mill alternative rock and into drone and ambient spaces.
You can hear that traditional rock structure in all of their work, but they added a moodiness to it through the use of synths and lots of reverb. Sadly, Labradford more or less stopped making music in 2001. Mi Media Naranja is essential listening.
2. Fugazi
I don’t know if we should call Fugazi a “blip on the radar” rock band, but they are pretty underrated in the grand scheme of rock music history. This post-hardcore band was known for its DIY focus and loud and proud distaste for the then-modern music industry. Their music reflected their principles, too.
Nobody was challenging the music world the way they were in the 1990s, and their music is still deeply loved today. Some of their work is challenging, but all of it is genre-pushing and aggressively fun. Fugazi disbanded in 2003.
3. Snot
Snot could have been huge if it wasn’t for the sudden and tragic death of their frontman, Lynn Strait, in 1998. They have since reunited, but it took about a decade for them to do so.
This nu-metal and hardcore punk outfit was raw, aggressive, and uncompromising; a very nu-metal thing to be, but the way Snot did it was different. This band had a ton of personality and they were far from yet another cookie-cutter nu-metal band. Get Some is essential listening.
4. Slint
This blip on the radar rock band was only together for a few years during their original run. Despite only releasing two albums, Slit left their mark on post-rock, and that mark is still felt decades later.
Slint blended together rock, metal, and punk in a very subtle way. They were definitely on the math rock side of things, with their complex and intricate song structures and spoken-word vocals. Spiderland is essential listening.
Photo by Ian Dickson/Redferns
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.