The most underappreciated bands of all time

There are plenty of casual hard rock and heavy metal fans who believe Anvil is a novelty act — much in the same form as Spinal Tap. That couldn't be further from the truth. This Canadian metal outfit, beloved in Germany, is noted for its high-energy live set and cited as influencing the likes of Metallica, Guns N' Roses, and Slayer. Anvil has delivered 19 studio albums since debuting in 1981. Led by guitarist and vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Anvil enjoyed most of its notable success during the early 1980s and again following the 2008 documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil.

When it comes to Canadian rock royalty, April Wine is on the short list. The band sprouted in Nova Scotia, has roots in Newfoundland, and got its real break in Montreal. Originally steered by the Henman brothers, then the multitalented guitarist-keyboardist-vocalist Myles Goodwin, April Wine earned its first true North American success with 1972's On Record, then in mainstream form with First Glance (1978), Harder ... Faster (1979), The Nature of the Beast (1981), and Power Play (1982). The group, which opened for the Rolling Stones at one point, is likely best known for the top-20 ballad "Just Between You and Me" — the first video by a Canadian artist to be played on MTV.

When it comes to hardcore punk, the conversation tends to begin with Washington D.C.'s Bad Brains. Then again, the versatile group also delivered some of the earliest sounds of what would be refined as alternative metal, funk metal and rep/nu metal. Formed in 1976, the classic Bad Brains lineup featured frontman Paul Hudson (aka H.R.), guitarist Dr. Know, bassist Darryl Jenifer and Earl Hudson on drums. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane's Addiction, Rage Against the Machine, No Doubt. Living Colour (more on about that group later) and Fishbone all cite Bad Brains as a major influence on their own work.

A mix of Celtic punk rock with some pop tendencies, Black 47 was formed in New York in the late 1980s by journeyman guitarist-vocalist Larry Kirwan and former NYC policeman-turned-musician Chris Byrne. When former Dexys Midnight Runners co-founder Geoff Blythe joined, the group became a regular attraction on Manhattan's East Side, and things took off. With production help from the The Cars' Ric Ocasek, the band's second studio release, Fire of Freedom (1993), led to some solid mainstream success, thanks to David Letterman favorite "Funky Céilí." Unabashedly political (in favor of Irish republicanism), Black 47 released almost 20 albums in various formats through 2014. The band also opened the door for the likes of Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys to succeed.

Fusing psychedelic and acid rock with a pinch of punk and experimental, Blue Cheer put that all together for a sound that influenced many heavy metal acts that followed, notably Motley Crue. Rock legends such as Jim Morrison and Eric Clapton also praised this San Francisco outfit that began turning heads in the mid 1960s, and kept playing, in one variation or another, well into the 2000s. Blue Cheer's version of the Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues" should be considered one of the great covers of all time. 

Simply put, Blue Oyster Cult is more than just "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and the subject of a classic Saturday Night Live sketch. Yes, it's the hard rock/borderline progressive rock band's most well known tune, but there is so much more to its legacy. The band were great storytellers of musical imagery and fantasy. It made the listener think but also catered to mainstream audiences with other tracks such as "Burnin' for You" and "Godzilla." While other bands of its ilk from the 1970s and into the '80s enjoyed more sustainable commercial success, BOC just kept churning out quality yet under-the-radar gems that inspired the likes of Alice in Chains, Metallica, and Queens of the Stone Age.

With the release of 1987's debut Criminal Minded, BDP introduced the earliest stylings of gangsta rap, but with some Jamaican-inspired flare. Led by MC Kris "KRS-One" Parker, plus D-Nice and DJ Scott La Rock (who was murdered shortly after Criminal Minded), this New York City trio pulled no punches when it came to depicting the reality of their South Bronx neighborhood. Though BDP is rightfully considered pioneers, once the rap and hip-hop genres exploded, the group's work seemed to get lost in the shuffle. However, its legacy remains strong.

Among all the hair/glam metal bands of the 1980s, Cinderella was among the few who stood for their musical abilities. Led by raspy-voiced frontman/guitarist Tom Keifer, Cinderella was heavily steeped in the blues. It showed most notably on the group's second and third releases, Long Cold Winter (1988) and Heartbreak Station (1990), respectively. Though MTV favorites and certainly up for teasing their hair, Cinderella just seemed more mature sounding than its contemporaries of the genre.

Though these Bay Area thrashers have never enjoyed the commercial success of metal buddies Metallica, Exodus has long been hailed one of the true pioneers of the northern California thrash/speed metal movement. Exodus has released 11 studio albums (with 1989's Fabulous Disaster still the gem of the collection), featured several lineup changes (Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett was a member), plenty of in-fighting, and its share of issues with drugs and alcohol. Veteran guitarist Gary Holt and singer Steve "Zetro" Souza are arguably the most notable current members of the band. The likes of Testament, Anthrax, and Death Angel have long considered Exodus a major influence.

This famed Twin Cities trio began as a hardcore punk band in the late 1970s, then they took on more of an alternative vibe that would ultimately influence the likes of Dave Grohl and Billy Corgan. The group's second release, a double album, Zen Arcade (1984) showcased the stellar songwriting abilities of guitarist Bob Mould, who has enjoyed a stellar post-Hüsker Dü career, and late drummer Grant Hart. Both shared vocals during the band's run, which came to an end in the late 1980s.

Formed in 1969 by celebrated singer, songwriter and guitarist Lowell George alongside keyboardist Bill Payne, there was a lot going on when it came to Little Feat's sound: rock, country, blues, and even elements of jazz. The band has had a revolving door of members following George's death in 1979, and even through various hiatuses, Payne and Little Feat are still churning. While the group was never a mainstream force, Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page has been a long-time fan and The Chicks, formerly known as The Dixie Chicks, took their name from Little Feat's 1973 jam-favorite "Dixie Chicken."

Yes, Living Colour is a multi-Grammy-winning band and MTV favorite. "Cult of Personality" is still played regularly on commercial radio and even at sporting events. However, it never enjoyed sustained success beyond its first three albums: Vivid (1988), Time's Up (1990), and Stain (1993). That said, Living Colour is still going strong behind the innovative guitar work of Vernon Reid and magnetism of frontman Corey Glover, who also had a part in the Vietnam War classic Platoon.

Formed in 1983, the Melvins have never stopped experimenting with its sound. However, within Seattle's hard-rock scene, Melvins are considered the creator of "sludge metal" and one of the early groups of the grunge movement. Though the band never enjoyed a serious mainstream hit, it put out more than 30 albums and had a serious influence on such bands as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Tool, Mr. Bungle/Faith No More, and Slipknot.

These Chicago punks have the honor of playing the first live show seen by former Nirvana drummer and current Foo Fighter Dave Grohl, back in 1982. While the band was highly praised on the Chicago music scene, it never really enjoyed extensive success outside the Windy City. Maybe because the group couldn't stay together long enough to enjoy any sustainable success. Still, when it comes to the punk and post-punk days of the early 1980s, Naked Raygun remains a hidden gem of greatness. 

Screaming Trees wasn't full-blown grunge, but the band still played a big part in getting that particular movement — and the Seattle-based hard rock sound — to the masses outside the Pacific Northwest. Highly revered among other pioneering contemporaries like Melvins, Mudhoney, Green River, and Malfunkshun, Screaming Trees earned its biggest commercial success with the single "Nearly Lost You" from 1992's Sweet Oblivion. Internal issues, however, kept the group from maintaining any success. Sadly, lead singer Mark Lanegan passed away in February 2022 at age 57.

Social Distortion is still the baby of frontman and guitarist Mike Ness, whose years of hard living, lost love, and questionable decisions resulted in some of the best punk rock ever distributed. Tunes like "Story of My Life," "Ball and Chain" and "Bad Luck" have long been favorites of Social D's hardcore fans. And those who have fueled its legacy since Ness started the band in Orange County, California, in the late 1970s. Over the years, Ness and his revolving door of bandmates have built that following to include not just certified punk fans, but those of post-punk, pop-punk, alternative rock, and even rockabilly. 

The exceptional talent of guitarist/vocalist Alvin Lee was the driving force behind these British blues rockers who earned significant success in the United Kingdom. But they also found an audience in the United States thanks to classic rock radio staples "I'm Going Home" and "I'd Love to Change the World" during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Though Ten Years After never released a single that rolls of the tongue, it tends to be a regular on lists such as this one.

The number of great musicians who have come and gone, or still play, in UFO is quite legendary. Vinnie Moore, Pete Way, Bernie Marsden, Michael Schenker, Paul Raymond, and Aynsley Dunbar are just some. UFO never earned chart-topping success, but notable tracks like "Lights Out" and "Doctor Doctor" are part of the stellar legacy for a band that bridged the gap between the early days of hard rock/heavy metal and the new wave of British heavy metal. The group's critically praised Strangers in the Night (1979) is considered one of the great live albums of all time. It's just one reason more prominent bands such as Metallica, Def Leppard, Scorpions, and Pearl Jam consider UFO a hefty influence.

Milwaukee's Violent Femmes gave the music world such sing-a-long folk punk-alternative rock favorites like "Blister in the Sun," "Add it Up," American Music," "Kiss Off," and "Gone Daddy Gone." The band's self-titled 1982 album should be considered one of the great debuts in modern music history. However, the Femmes probably deserve more acclaim than just an extensive and loyal cult following. But maybe that's what makes the group so appealing: truly alternative in every sense of the word.

Paced by the twin guitar attack of Andy Powell and Ted Turner, England's Wishbone Ash had more influence on hard rock than most mainstream rock fans realize. Formed in 1969, various incarnations of the band have put out music into the 2020s. The intricacies of Powell and Turner's guitar work — steeped in blues, progressive and folk rock, and plenty of jazz — left a lasting impression on the likes of more well-known acts like Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Thin Lizzy.