3 Rock Bands From the 1980s With Short Five-Year Careers

A band is a funny thing. It can begin on a lark, but it can also end in tragedy. Truly, there is no rhyme or reason for a musical act starting or concluding, but in between, the members can only hope to create a lasting, positive legacy.

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Of course, sometimes that doesn’t happen. Here below, we wanted to highlight three rock groups from the 1980s that boasted bright but brief careers. They were here and gone like a flash. Indeed, these are three rock bands from the 1980s with short five-year careers.

Minutemen

With a name like Minutemen, perhaps it’s no surprise that this group only lasted a handful of years from 1981 to 1985. But the sad truth of the matter is that the end of this California-born punk rock band’s career was not planned. It had to do with the untimely death of guitarist and vocalist D. Boon, who passed away after a van accident. At the time, the Minutemen had plans for an epic part-live, part-studio triple-album called 3 Dudes, 6 Sides, Half Studio, Half Live. But those plans had to be dashed after Boon died.

Minor Threat

This is another band with a moniker that almost seems to imply a short-lived career. But unlike the Minutemen, Minor Threat did not break up because of tragedy. More than anything, it was creative differences that led to the dissolution of this Washington, D.C.-born hardcore punk group. Minor Threat released its self-titled debut record in 1981, following it up with three more releases, including their final EP, Salad Days, in 1985. They were known for short, guttural songs. And their influence lives on even today.

The Smiths

Today, The Smiths have something of a controversial legacy. Musically, they’re beloved. They released four albums from 1984 through 1987. And their jangly, droning songs can be found on the radio or in film soundtracks today (see: the recent Netflix film, The Killer). But the band’s frontman, Morrissey, has also come under fire for polarizing statements he’s made. This has colored his band’s memory. But no matter your opinion on the group, they were only here for a short time.

Photo by Pete Still/Redferns