5 Unforgettable Rock Songs by Musicians Who Never Released an Album

Ever since the LP was invented, musicians have had their eyes set on that particular prize. Why not? It’s easier to promote your art if you have a solid album under your belt, rather than just a few singles. Unfortunately, the following musicians and bands never released an album after a string of successful singles.

1. “Agitated” by Electric Eels

The 1978 single “Agitated” by Electric Eels is… different. One could say it’s proto-punk, or proto-something-or-other. This 7-inch from the Cleveland-based experimental was their most well-known work. You really can’t beat that sick guitar solo. But when it comes down to it, Electric Eels was better known for their insane stage presence over the quality of their music. The band broke up shortly after they signed with Rough Trade, and they never released a full album.

2. “Let’s Do Rock Steady” by The Bodysnatchers

If you enjoy the second-wave ska movement that came out of the UK in the 1980s, you probably know all about The Bodysnatchers. They were touring and making music with the likes of The Specials, Madness, and others. It’s wild that they never released a full-length album. However, Rhoda Dakar did release a full-length record in 2015 that included a lot of the band’s old material.

3. “Getoutoflondon” by Intaferon

New wave was in full swing by the time Intaferon released “Getoutoflondon” in 1983. They were positioned for success, too. The band got signed to Chrysalis during the period when big names like Billy Idol and even Pat Benatar were on the label. They disbanded after a few more single releases and never got a chance to put out an LP.

4. “Shack Up” by Banbarra

Technically, this is two songs smushed together. Banbarra was a funk-meets-hard-rock outfit that put out this ultra-successful single in 1975 via United Artists. Then… they promptly split. It’s more or less the only song released under the band’s name. Banbarra had so much potential. Unfortunately, there was allegedly a lot of drama among the outfit’s members, so maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.

5. “Come Inside My Love” by Shades Of Love/Bonnie Oliver

Disco and disco-rock were in surplus in the late 1970s, and a lot of genuinely good artists fell through the cracks after releasing a single or two. That’s definitely what happened to Shades Of Love after releasing “Come Inside My Love” in 1979. Bonnie Oliver covered it shortly after, but that wasn’t enough to entice the ears of listeners. They self-released some additional material afterward, and that was about it.

Photo via The Bodysnatchers’ official Facebook page

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