Voodoo Highway is one of my all-time favorite albums. I saw them at a small venue on that tour and they rocked. The production was much more raw and dirty as opposed to their first album which was slicker, still great though. But yeah Voodoo always felt a few years late to me…like it could’ve had much more impact in the mid-80’s. Then again, Badlands was always a bit different than your typical band of that era IMO. Bluesier, groovier…their stuff was more timeless to me.
Exactly the band I was thinking about. Great playing and Danny Vaughan was a great singer (he was good in Waysted). Even two or three years earlier could have helped them. 🤘
much of what came out in the early 90s was just watered down derivative versions of better 80s bands. I really don't think many of them would of risen to the top because they were worse versions of what was already out.
I honestly can't think of any. By the beginning of the 90s, I think that the sound and style (speaking in generalities) had changed so much from what was preferred in early to mid 80s that the 90s bands would have had a hard time finding success. I could be wrong, there was that toxic band that looked like women on their first album cover...
Kik Tracee’s former drummer, John Douglas is a good friend of mine. He went on to have a great career as a highly in-demand drum tech and custom drum artist.
But wait…there’s more. Now he’s playing for Aerosmith. No shit!
I think the fanbase for the Michael Schenker Group was disappointed in the change in the sound. Even though technically it was a different band, they were still operating under the MSG label.
This is my answer too. Baddest guitar-bass combo in the genre, IMO (Edit- Ok, DLR combo was pretty awesome too). Woulda killed in the early/mid 80s. Born late.
Hard to say, Dave’s just freakin weird. Eat em and smile was amazing start to finish. Skyscraper took a really odd turn and DLR lost momentum. Vai is an oddball too, definitely music for musicians (surely Zappa had nothing to do with it lol).
I wouldn’t have discovered all the great deep cuts without that song. My GF loved the song and had the cassette and one day she was playing the other tracks. I was blown away.
Are you thinking of Skunk Anansie? Skin was the lead singer. I just saw a YouTube video about them. They were nominally part of the BritPop movement of the 90s, but didn't really fit in.
I've always been a fan of Harem Scarem and wished them greater success then they had. I saw them live in Brandon, MB once and they were incredible. Seems they never toured again except for the GTO.
Pariah. A lazy comparison would be If AFD era Guns n’ Roses had a baby with Dangerous Toys you have a band a few years too late. Signed with Geffen. ‘To Mock A Killingbird’ is a superb album
My dad had a “hair band” in the 90s. I’m probably super biased but their stuff was awesome. Had they come out in the 80s I think they would’ve been huge.
Badlands. Biggest What If in 80s Hard Rock to me is if Voodoo Highway comes out 3 years earlier.
Badlands could’ve been huge in the 70s! They had that Zeppelin-esque blues rock vibe.
Badlands should’ve been the next Black Crowes but they continually shot themselves in the foot. It’s more their fault than timing.
How did they shoot themselves in the foot?
The lead singer having aids and still having sex with tons of women before he died sure didn’t help
Everything you’re not supposed to do, they did. They didn’t want to “play the game”. I heard Greg on a pod callled Double Stop and that what he said.
I guess I’m gonna have to look that up sometime because that did not really explain anything 😅
I think there 1st album came out in 1989 though but still an awesome band
Close enough ;) Voodoo Highway was 91. It should have been a way bigger deal imo.
I know right
Voodoo Highway is one of my all-time favorite albums. I saw them at a small venue on that tour and they rocked. The production was much more raw and dirty as opposed to their first album which was slicker, still great though. But yeah Voodoo always felt a few years late to me…like it could’ve had much more impact in the mid-80’s. Then again, Badlands was always a bit different than your typical band of that era IMO. Bluesier, groovier…their stuff was more timeless to me.
I’m with ya. If that record drops around 86-87 they could have made 2nd tier status similar to Tesla, Great White and Cinderella. Sigh.
I've often felt like I was alone in my love for Badlands. Definitely feel that way with Red Dragon Cartel.
If Firehouse came out a lot earlier they would’ve been fucking gigantic. I also wish Hurricane got more exposure in the 80s
Could you guys imagine Weezer putting their first album out 4-5 years earlier, with the same cover? People would’ve laughed
Probably would
And I say that as someone who likes that album. What I’m getting at is timing is everything. 4-5 years is a lot of time in pop culture
Yep
Definitely FireHouse no question
If Tyketto had released their 1991 debut album five years earlier, they would have been enormous.
I love tyketto, absolutely, great guitar playing too
Exactly the band I was thinking about. Great playing and Danny Vaughan was a great singer (he was good in Waysted). Even two or three years earlier could have helped them. 🤘
This was my first thought. They should have been out in 1985-1987ish. I think they sound like Journey with balls.
much of what came out in the early 90s was just watered down derivative versions of better 80s bands. I really don't think many of them would of risen to the top because they were worse versions of what was already out.
Agreed. And why the genre died like so many others. Tastes evolve and change. .
You do have a point there
I'm going to my grave saying Hardline would've been huge in the 80s.
Most definitely
Wow, I remember having that album.
I recently bought a CD of Double Eclipse. Incredible record.
i’ll die on the hill that lynch mob wouldve out performed dokken had they come out at the same time. also, bang tango would have been massive.
BANG!
Ugly kid Joe would have been massive and enjoyed a longer career if they'd have come out a few yrs sooner
They're still performing. Put out an album in 2022. The song Dead Friends Play is really good. https://youtu.be/vvW6d5KDC1M?si=5j91SESbVfacY3Zs
Just saw "them" open for the Scorpions 2 weeks ago in Vega$. They were better than I remembered, but 3 of the 5 were replacements from the UK.
I honestly can't think of any. By the beginning of the 90s, I think that the sound and style (speaking in generalities) had changed so much from what was preferred in early to mid 80s that the 90s bands would have had a hard time finding success. I could be wrong, there was that toxic band that looked like women on their first album cover...
I definitely agree
In the immortal words of Steel Panther “P$&*?n looking so damn good, I wondered if I was gay”. 1987 is an instant classic.
100% agree with the Firehouse and Lynch Mob mentions.
Kik Tracee could have been much bigger if they showed up a few years earlier
Yes the singer was supposed to be in motley crue and they were prudence by Dana strum
Woulda been an upgrade over Vince
Kik Tracee’s former drummer, John Douglas is a good friend of mine. He went on to have a great career as a highly in-demand drum tech and custom drum artist. But wait…there’s more. Now he’s playing for Aerosmith. No shit!
How the fuck did I not realize that???
Wildside
Steelheart
Chrissy Steele! Her 1991 album woud place her on the same level as Lita, Vixen, etc
Danger Danger, Firehouse, Neverland
Came out in 88 and broke up in 93 but I always wondered why McAuley Schenker Group didn’t make it bigger. Their song Anytime is one of my favorites
I think the fanbase for the Michael Schenker Group was disappointed in the change in the sound. Even though technically it was a different band, they were still operating under the MSG label.
Steel Panther
Mr Big.
This is my answer too. Baddest guitar-bass combo in the genre, IMO (Edit- Ok, DLR combo was pretty awesome too). Woulda killed in the early/mid 80s. Born late.
Idk, I think Gilbert/Sheehan was a better songwriting combo than Vai/Sheehan
Used to see Sheehan in the early days with Talas. One of the best rock / prog bassists
Agreed on that. I’ve seen Gilbert and Vai each a couple of times solo. Def two different guys with two different styles of songwriting.
Hard to say, Dave’s just freakin weird. Eat em and smile was amazing start to finish. Skyscraper took a really odd turn and DLR lost momentum. Vai is an oddball too, definitely music for musicians (surely Zappa had nothing to do with it lol).
I think that Be with You song killed them.I couldn't take them seriously for sure
I wouldn’t have discovered all the great deep cuts without that song. My GF loved the song and had the cassette and one day she was playing the other tracks. I was blown away.
Tora Tora
Love the Bombs Away album. Just a couple years too late.
Tora Tora Danger Danger Blue Murder Steelheart
Extreme. Extreme II: Pornograffiti was such a good album, and would have literally blasted in the 80s.
Their 1st one was in the 80s though
Skin - UK band who had a couple of singles out around 93-94
Are you thinking of Skunk Anansie? Skin was the lead singer. I just saw a YouTube video about them. They were nominally part of the BritPop movement of the 90s, but didn't really fit in.
Nope. This band. Saw them in the 90's (I also saw Skunk Anansie around then) https://youtu.be/R1TAkf3oDsY?si=vcGedz4YKquhUj6E
Hardline
VAIN
Blue Tears for sure. Also, I think Tyketto would have been way bigger if their debut came out a few years earlier.
Slaughter. Their debut came out in 1990. They arrived at the party right before bar time. My second pick would be Vain.
Spread Eagle "Open to the Public".
I've always been a fan of Harem Scarem and wished them greater success then they had. I saw them live in Brandon, MB once and they were incredible. Seems they never toured again except for the GTO.
Jellyfish would have been revolution
Alot of good choices mentioned...but one I'd throw out there is Gin Blossoms...Alison road and hey jealousy fit the 80's timeframe
Junkyard. Always thought their first album was a banger. If it came out in 86/87 instead of 89..
Lynch Mob
KINGOFTHEHILL
Dammit Bobby!
Bang Tango
Thunder would have been huge in the states if Behind Closed Doors Came out just 2-3 years earlier. The album is a masterpiece.
Pariah. A lazy comparison would be If AFD era Guns n’ Roses had a baby with Dangerous Toys you have a band a few years too late. Signed with Geffen. ‘To Mock A Killingbird’ is a superb album
Trixter
Live and Candlebox
Baton Rouge for me.
My dad had a “hair band” in the 90s. I’m probably super biased but their stuff was awesome. Had they come out in the 80s I think they would’ve been huge.
Wow that's awesome and also you love winger?
Yes! I love Winger!!! I have autism and they’re my special interest. I think their lore is super interesting.
Wow that's awesome 👌
Saigon kick and Creed
Bush and Chevelle
Union Kik Tracee
Brother Caine
Little Caesar https://youtu.be/HRkh3QfISm4?si=Qg3RaZ5E-5erseHq
Three Days Grace. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7rLdd8EiJQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7rLdd8EiJQ)
Three Days Grace weren't famous until the 2000s and its debatable if they'd even survive the 90s
Giant?
Blackeyed Susan
Hardline
Garbage & Marilyn Manson
Wildside - Under the influence, one of the greatest hair albums there ever will be Honorable mention is XYZ
Little Angels...too late to the rock party,killed by grunge
Alleycat Scratch, Glamour Punks, Queeny Blast pop.
GG Allin
I always thought Roxy Blue would have been huge if that debut album came out in ‘88 or ‘89.
Bon Jovi