5 of the Most Underrated Rock Bands From the 1990s

The 1990s have come and gone, and it was a truly memorable decade for rock music. New genres bubbled to the surface and hit the mainstream, and a ton of great music came out of that era that is still loved today. While bands like Nirvana and Radiohead are household names today, there are a few underrated rock bands from the 1990s that could stand to get some attention in the 2020s. Let’s take a look!

1. Buffalo Tom

This Boston alt-rock band has released quite a few albums over the years, five of which came out in the 1990s. Specifically, Big Red Letter Day from 1993 was the album that got them some non-East Coast attention. They’re known for their stellar live performances and are still touring today.

[Buy Tickets To See Buffalo Tom Live In 2024]

2. Bikini Kill

If you were a certified riot grrrl in the 1990s or involved in the grunge scene, you likely already know Bikini Kill quite well. They were one of the biggest bands of the feminist punk rock movement, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Banger anthems like “Rebel Girl”, “Carnival”, and “New Radio” were just a few songs that defined that era of music. If anything, the band is legendary for reaching the minds and hearts of young women searching for their place in the world of the 1990s.

3. Black 47

A little bit of Celtic punk, a little bit of 90s pop; nobody sounded quite like Black 47 in their heyday. This stellar outfit was formed in the late 1980s and started to gain traction after Dexys Midnight Runners’ founder Geoff Blythe joined the band. Fire Of Freedom from 1993 is essential listening.

4. Letters To Cleo

Another excellent Boston-based underrated rock band from the 1990s, Letters To Cleo have not gotten the recognition they deserve. They’re known for their musical contributions to the film 10 Things I Hate About You. However, their albums Aurora Gory Alice, Wholesale Meats And Fish, and Go! are all essential listening.

5. Cake

Is Cake really one of the most underrated rock bands from the 1990s? We’d say so. Though many know the name of this alt-rock band with funk and pop tendencies, we think they deserve a bit more recognition for how unique of a band they were in the 1990s. “The Distance” from the 1996 album Fashion Nugget was their only “major” hit. But their whole discography is honestly worth listening to.

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