6 of the Most Underrated Rock Bands From California

These six stellar rock bands from California might be well-known, but we think they’re underrated when compared to their contemporaries. From hair bands from the 1980s to modern punk rock, these bands from The Golden State deserve more credit for their contributions to the world of rock.

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1. Exodus

Formed in the Bay Area, these thrash rockers didn’t quite see the commercial success of similar bands like Metallica or Slayer. Despite being underrated, Exodus is one of the greatest metal/rock bands from California of all time and is often credited with pioneering the NoCal thrash metal movement. 

2. Social Distortion

They don’t make punk rock like Social Distortion anymore. This Mike Ness-fronted rock band delivered some iconic songs through the years, from “Bad Luck” to “Story Of My Life”. The band was first formed in Orange County in the 1970s and is still touring today.

[Buy Tickets To See Social Distortion Live In 2024]

3. Spirit

This Los Angeles-based rock outfit disbanded years ago, but their music still lives on as some of the best in psychedelic prog-rock. Their main claim to fame was “I Got A Line On You”, but any of their albums are worth a full listen. 

4. Montrose

Hard rock lovers have likely heard of the California-born Montrose, or at the very least, their hit self-titled album from 1973. It was one of Sammy Hagar’s first bands before launching a successful solo career and joining Van Halen. 

5. The Tubes

San Fransisco birthed a lot of killer rock bands back in the 1970s, but none were quite like The Tubes. This art/glam rock outfit is known for hits like “She’s A Beauty” and “White Punks On Dope”, as well as their contributions to the cult classic 1980 film Xanadu.

6. The Plimsouls

If you were an alt-rock fan in the early 1980s, you probably heard The Plimsouls’ hit single “A Million Miles Away”. This Paramount-based post-punk rock outfit has made a few comebacks and toured through the decades, though their last studio album was Kool Trash in 1998. Their self-titled debut album and Everywhere At Once are both essential listening.

Photo by Bob Gruen, Courtesy of The Tubes’ official Facebook page

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