10 British Bands Who Never Cracked America - American Reacts

American Reacts to Top 10 British Bands Who Never Cracked America!
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[@JTReacts11]

Thanks for Watching! I love you all!

[@JackSadler]

💕😎

[@meatballsamurai3595]

Day 1 of asking: You should react to a british film. Id recommend hot fuzz, shaun of the dead and or the worlds end.

[@sandrabutler8483]

I'm actually old enough too remember all of these and the ones you named who made it to some extent in the States

[@hayley37732]

@@meatballsamurai3595 East is East is hilarious and British he wud love that 🤣

[@BrianPseivaD]

Thanks for having us!

[@vaudevillian7]

Original skinheads weren’t racist, it was associated with Two Tone and Ska over here, so not a problem with Madness’ marketing just that the meaning of skinhead and the popular understanding changed

[@snubblebunny]

Yeah the skinhead movement is sadly associated badly with Skin Heads - which are obviously Nazis - because of the name. Really its just rockabilly tattoo and fans who wear the same clothes lol. I never understand why they call themselves it, they are a wonderful movement, proper community driven. I have many skinhead mates and they're so nice. Nazi skin heads really ruined it for bald people lol

[@OiiRobbi3x]

@@chrislawley6801 not all of them.

[@bucklberryreturns]

Skinheads were literally the most inclusive bunch, their roots coming from roots music imported from Jamaica. Modern skinheads are a totally different breed altogether.

[@chrislawley6801]

@@OiiRobbi3x in 70s when the main night club was closed down by the police, -Queue The Specials song - Two much fighting on the dance floor. Skinheads the MAJORITY devolved to racist thugs Who do think were causing the fights in the Club fighting against friends of Terry Hall . yes I have enjoyed Buster Bloodvessel live, I love Madness though that is a shadow of the majority of the Skinhead movement

[@chrislawley6801]

@@OiiRobbi3x Why do you think the main club in Coventry was closed in the Late 70s ?

[@TFaith-ki3uf]

Madness are probably one of the most british bands ever. When ever a madness song comes on in a pub you know everyone's gonna be singing along

[@simon0044]

Very popular with racists too

[@TFaith-ki3uf]

@@simon0044 what do you mean? How are they racist? They were a massive part of the ska scene which was a big part of reducing racism in england at the time as it brought black and white people together. A typical misunderstanding about skinheads is that they were fuled by racism, but it was all just a fashion movement which included any race

[@simon0044]

@@TFaith-ki3uf madness aren’t racist, but a lot of their fans are. I’ve seen it first hand. Unfortunately a lot of ska from back then was taken on by the national front, edl etc. It’s a shame but that is the truth

[@secondchance6603]

@@simon0044 Bollocks!

[@pigstrotters4198]

"One step beyond" was excellent.... also a bit ska-ish. Couldn't keep your feet still when you heard this. Squeeze ( "Cool for Cats" and "Up the Junction") and were also one of my favourite bands back then. Brilliant texts, but only to be understood in the UK during the 80's.

[@SavageIntent]

I just wanted to say the original skinheads were not nazis, original skinheads were influenced by the style of Jamaican immigrants, and Madness would have been in contact with skinheads such as these, the ones who are part of SHARP (Skin Heads Against Racial Prejudice).

[@bernardfender5147]

Absolutely correct!

[@chrislawley6801]

Coventry late 70s no night complete without a fight, Skinheads attacking whoever riled them, flick knives at the ready. Yes originaly for a moment with the beggings of Ska, Though Skinheads majority quickly devolved to fight in Coventry's club against friends of Terry Hall and many others

[@waynebucknall4428]

@@chrislawley6801 not racist tho, you said yourself who ever annoyed them. equal oppotunists

[@chrislawley6801]

@@waynebucknall4428 So you agree they would fight with people & friends such of Terry hall , but not racist at all

[@waynebucknall4428]

@@chrislawley6801 for one i have no idea who terry hall is. And fighting another gang who happens to be black, does that also make the black people racist for fighting too

[@jase6709]

The Stereophonics and The Manic Street Preachers are brilliant bands. Still going strong in many countries, not just Wales.

[@victoriaedwards1220]

you cant listen to madness without an immediate desire to dance around like a lunatic on a treadmill :)

[@LC-ip1cj]

I think this is the best description of that feeling I’ve ever heard…

[@sharonkay8638]

It certainly gave me a mental image!😂

[@Jeff_Vader]

You can. I get a compulsion to stop the music the quickest way possible before the blood seeps out of my eyes and ears.

[@hclarke3039]

One step beyond !!!!!

[@rich_t]

Are you confusing them with the band Ok Go and their song "Here it Goes Again." Because that's what they do in that video.

[@tiffany3958]

What’s interesting about this list, are a lot of them what I class as ‘classics’ - so it’s kinda mind boggling that they’re not necessarily well known outside of the UK

[@TheCarl82]

Most of these bands are very well known in Europe and other English speaking counties like Australia, New Zealand etc. Just not well known in the US probably because their music industry is the worlds largest and there just isn't room for every decent UK artist.

[@sarahrigby7580]

A lot of them are very well known across Europe, Japan, Australia and NZ and many other places, just not the US, and some of the bands listed do have a good following in the US, but it’s small, or they’ve had hit records and/or tours there, but haven’t sustained that success, so are deemed not to have “cracked” America. It often goes in waves- once one British band gets under the skin of America, tv and radio producers look at the UK music scene for similar acts to give their audiences (and advertisers) more of what they are clamouring for, and so a particular musical style will be fashionable for a bit, leaving the door open for other bands to follow. Cracking the American market is tough because they’ve got so many huge music scenes and tend to favour playing US artists.

[@AduderReviews]

Same. I get the other bands. But Madness had hit after hit

[@Codex7777]

Not cracking America does not equate to, 'only making it in the UK'. Most major UK bands have had success outside the UK. Particularly in Europe, Australia, Japan and the Far East. America isn't the World. Some of the biggest stars in the World may not crack America. It doesn't mean they're only popular in their home country. :)

[@sphhyn]

Definitely. Take That was HUGE in Germany back then.

[@ninamarysan1]

and lots of artists especially in the 70s/80s from America, made it in the UK but not their home country E.G Blondie.

[@PoisonedApathy]

And South America!! Most of those bands had audiences there as well.

[@saritatambayong4002]

I know all of the band on the list. I'm from Indonesia. America is really that special kid

[@TheCheeseandrice1]

@@sphhyn As were Modern Talking.

[@mkjones7603]

I love the Stereophonics and have been to see them live, a number of times! Kelly Jones has a fantastic voice, especially when he was younger as it was more raspy, but his voice is still amazing and they sound great live.

[@ethanbutler7866]

Mr Writer is an absolute banger

[@mkjones7603]

@@ethanbutler7866 yes it is a great song, but my favourite has to be Local Boy, closely followed by Traffic

[@Southside1804]

My first gig after lockdown was Phonics at Scarborough… they were absolutely insane sound awesome live

[@dianeharrison4975]

Me too

[@Enzoblueblood]

When commenting on Madness’ association with skinheads, the narrator does the audience a disservice: him just saying the band was associated with skinheads is misleading and incomplete information which could easily lead to people believing they had nefarious associations, which couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve seen Suggs on tv once where he was close to tears defending himself against accusations of racism. I might suggest you listen to one of their songs: “embarrassment” and check out the story behind the song. It’ll break your heart. I’m a black guy and I love Madness forever.

[@woomeebly]

Mad love and respect. Love em too, Marv.

[@luvstellauk]

It's a Watch Mojo video, what do you expect? Most of their stuff is poorly researched garbage.

[@vanessakane45]

What a lovely reply. I came to the comments section to also speak about madness being connected to skinheads... things in the UK were so different back then.. It was more a connection to ska music and that whole vibe... nothing to do with all that neo Nazi shite . Amazing band

[@Cheezsoup]

What about Chaz's comments? Desscribed in " don't qoute me on that".

[@Lynnimod]

I totally agree with you paranoid, I saw first saw Madness on TOTP in 1979 when I was 17years old , and have loved them ever since. Madness came about during the Two Tone ska movement in the late 70's early 80's. The two tone movement came about against racism, it's why it was called two tone , black and white together. My favourite bands are The Specials too. People have misconceptions about skinheads, true skinheads were not racist right wing thugs, and I knew a few of them in the late 70's, people seen to remember the football hooligans of the 70's and they called themselves skinheads, no- they were not real skinheads, you had to be in the era, I was in the mod revival 79- 82 and mixed with mods and skinheads. P.S I'm seeing Madness in concert in December, it'll be a fabulous night, I saw them last year too!

[@joshabba]

Stereophonics are seriously under rated. When you listen to their catalogue of songs, there are soooo many great ones and Kelly Jones voice is beyond amazing live

[@dianeharrison4975]

You’re so right I love them

[@RigadonRick]

I’ve seen the Stereophonics countless times but the best was when they played their first 3 albums on 3 consecutive nights in London. Amazing gigs. Funnily enough Paul Weller showed up too 🙌🏼

[@kirstenjakobsen1651]

The Jam made it right into my Home in denmark! “Thats entertainment” or “going underground” is two of my favourites!

[@KLJ1981]

America doesn’t know what it’s missed with the phonics. Absolute legends, phenomenal live,

[@ticketyboo2456]

Yeah but they fade into insignificance when compared to the Manics.

[@KLJ1981]

@@ticketyboo2456 I’ve seen both live and will respectfully disagree

[@brianafc]

Seen them twice nearly 20 yrs ago. Amazing. Tailed off towards the end of the last decade but amazing early stuff

[@lisaslaymaker7303]

I’ve seen them live too they’re amazing 👌🏻

[@ablair37]

they were at lytham festival 2 years ago sounded awesome

[@Jzaday]

I mean I get that Take That aren't everyone's cup of tea but imagine not hearing of them at all😂 W H A T

[@carnifaxx]

well, Take That is one thing, but you can find here on youtube first reactions to Queen... and some of the reacting people aren't even that young.

[@simontunnicliffe2107]

@@carnifaxx I know, 8 number 1's in the U K between 91 and 96.

[@chris_gh2639]

@@carnifaxx We'll never know obviously, but I'm sure some reactors put that it's their "first time listening" to a popular song/band just for the sake of it. The amount of times a radio will be on or a TV advert or a song in a film or a TV programme etc., it beggars belief (to me, at least) how some people can claim they haven't heard some songs before (Bohemian Rhapsody, as an example, seeing as you mentioned Queen).

[@joemachine4714]

never heard of Take That or Robbie Williams until recently my brother told me about them. Irony is that Robbie lives in the USA lol

[@simontunnicliffe2107]

@@joemachine4714 As do most British actors and rock stars lol!

[@mikexcity]

The stone roses were in a contract dispute with their label so they were banned from making new music during those 5 years, it wasn't a case that they couldn't be bothed to put the work in.

[@gregpaxton3473]

Kelly Jones is one of the most underrated vocalists of all time! Maybe Tomorrow live in Dakota is the kind of performance that gives me goosebumps every time!

[@thecoderofyoutube]

Must be a personal thing - his voice is like nails down a blackboard to me.

[@cleoldbagtraallsorts3380]

Agreed. Especially on "Have A Nice Day."

[@leehallam9365]

Its nonsense to say Madness were damaged by connections to skinheads, the skinhead culture they were connected to was not what you are thinking of at all. They started out as a British Ska band, influenced by West Indian music, and developed from there. They are the best, always make you feel better, and their videos are hilarious, you definately want to react to them. Trust me, they are so quintesentially British and beloved that in 2012 they were the first act on the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. The same year the performed on top of Buckingham Palace at the Queens Diamond Jubilee concert.

[@AliceInBlunderland666]

^^^^This! It would be great to see JT do a reaction to Madness songs/videos.

[@twatinahatsmith7428]

To be fair, a lot of trouble started in the late 70's and early 80's. Sham 69 concerts was always bad and had trouble, again not the bands fault. Just at this time there was a rise in racial hatred. A lot of bands also had trouble this had nothing to do with the real fans. One of the reasons rock against racism was born. Many concerts played under the banner of it.

[@swannvictor1388]

Yep, to me, Madness were the personification of Ska. Speaking of West Indian music, just wanted to shout out a news item few have mentioned: Lee 'Scratch' Perry died a few days ago, aged 85. This man brought Reggae to the world.

[@Katehowe3010]

Lee 'Scratch' Perry RIP.

[@flybobbie1449]

Madness was a 80's band, by the 90's pop seemed to go down hill. The 90's was the rave scene, garage music etc.

[@escobarlisle6007]

Skinheads in England were around before the neo nazis took hold of the look, its started as a fashion choice much like the mods and rockers of the 1950's, it was linked to ska music which was a cultural blend of British and Jamaican music

[@remitablechair]

Mods and Rockers 1960's, was amongst it.

[@escobarlisle6007]

@@remitablechair thanks for that wasn't too sure on the skinhead time period, dad and uncles were mods

[@jazzflute2465]

Spirit of 69

[@MrMisanthrope84]

It's kinda like what the hawaiian shirts in America are now. They were just a fashion thing and now they're racist because racists stole the look.

[@escobarlisle6007]

@@MrMisanthrope84 exactly that

[@kirstend9390]

I actually love you so much, the appreciation you have for the UK is fab to see! Not used to seeing it 😅🥴 Thank you, from across the pond 🇬🇧

[@bradbackhouse9257]

The Stone Roses … a truly legendary band of the early 90s. Brings back so many memories

[@ChimpScape]

Yes! Fucking amazing band! 👍

[@barry7959]

love the roses

[@zoebanks687]

Influenced by XTC with their Dukes ep 25 o'clock. The Stone Roses hired the producer after listening to 25 o'clock.

[@garethstanden3732]

If ya can remember it, then you didn’t party hard enough 😉

[@scottw3780]

Good band, can he fuck sing live, just mumbles and whispers through

[@Bayeraful]

Those are all really great bands and I grew up with their music on the radio - it's cultural background for most of us Brits.

[@sarahhowells5534]

The Manics are brilliant! seen them 25 times! 🙂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@EnglishLad]

Saw the Manics at V2002 and it wasn't their best set, I gotta be honest. Stereophonics were much better at working up the crowd. The Manics have had some really good hits though. Motorcycle Emptiness and You Stole The Sun From My Heart immediately come to mind.

[@davidblackburn6152]

The manics at camper calling a few weeks ago is one of the worst performances I've seen from any band. Absolute garbage. And yes I've seen them many times before. Going through the motions, disinterested. Finished in my opinion.

[@thesound-chameleonman3580]

@@davidblackburn6152 you have obviously gone deaf. Amazing band.

[@DeathBat_1990]

Manic Street Preachers are my all-time favourite band. Criminally underrated!

[@simonesmit6708]

I have to agree.

[@KevinKaffy]

Same

[@andyc7666]

Brilliant Manics

[@mayscough72]

Absolutely untouchable

[@AaronAbernethy]

Mine too, but calling Richey a ‘celebrated songwriter and guitarist’ is stretching it. He wrote lyrics for the band - he could barely play guitar.

[@ampersandcastle1091]

The Jam did a song called A Town Called Malice which is in Billy Elliot. If you haven’t already, you should definitely watch it!! It’s my favourite film and you’ll get a good look at some British culture and history

[@johnwedgbury6817]

2 bands I expected to be in there were the verve and ocean colour scene. Each bands top tunes are well worth a listen. The verve: lucky man, bittersweet symphony, the drugs dont work. Ocean colour scene: riverboat song, day we caught the train, hundred mile high city. Just a few suggestions for ya mate.

[@White-iz7dq]

Stereophonics are criminally underrated

[@TheTwoFingeredBulldog]

One of the best bands I have seen live, in fact it was the last band I seen before all this shit happened lol

[@fibrown444]

Saw them live in Aberdeen just before they hit it big, great band.

[@White-iz7dq]

@@TheTwoFingeredBulldog same I went to the one in Cardiff motorpoint arena in March 2020 😅

[@natasha4440]

Im 15 and i seen them with my dad years ago in the belfast oddesey they were one of my favourite people i had seen at that time

[@doomed1673]

If you want to hear a singer with a rod Stewart fixation then yep. Stereophonics are great

[@jakemorrison8507]

The jam. Just give them a listen, you'll be hooked

[@Fitgirlkate]

English Rose 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@moragmckendrick1903]

I got hooked,getting ready on a Friday night to go out with my pals, and my younger brother; was blasting The Jam out through the house. I saw The Jam live a few times. The last being their final tour in 1982, before they split. Loved them💚

[@stuartperrin4102]

The Jam album Setting Sons is absolutely awesome. Still one of my favourites.

[@johnbloggs1750]

I'm biased, but Echo and the Bunnymen were a great band from my home city of Liverpool, hometown of the beatles. They almost made the big time in the late 70's and early 80's, but for some reason it didn't happen.

[@ethanbutler7866]

I'll back that tbf, great band

[@MrMisanthrope84]

Great shout. I feel everyone in America knows Echo and The Bunnymen from The Killing Moon, which was used in Donnie Darko. They sort of had a posthumous success or appreciation in the US I feel.

[@pyeltd.5457]

The Cutter

[@cleoldbagtraallsorts3380]

Brilliant band. Also loved Ian Maculloch's solo album, "Candleland."

[@SteveODonnell]

I love the Manics. They were a massive part of my teenage years.

[@karldyke5029]

I saw them in the early 90s as a 4 piece. They were freaking awesome

[@paulgallacher5384]

The way the narrator mentioned skinheads had no context. The skinhead/ska movement were far from neo nazi's. Madness are the best band i've saw live, absolute legends.

[@museofire]

But in the U.S. there is that association, which could be a reason for their lack of U.S. popularity

[@andrewcharlton4053]

@@museofire Should be explained in the og video that way, ie Skinhead origins in the UK vs origins in the US.

[@jward2266]

Definitely listen to The Manic Street Preachers or Manics as often referred to. Start with a best of or something. The early stuff up to mid 2000s is nothing short of sensational. Lyrics to make you think plus brilliant musicianship. They wanted to be like Public Enemy but in an indie rock sense. Also The Jam are great too.

[@minimanukuk]

Maniacs and the Jam? You’re my kind of music fan.

[@rubielaynerawlings4491]

Mod father Paul Weller, Americans have no one, who is callable, love 💕 from Weller head,💯✊🏾🎸🎸🎸

[@robdee9341]

Motorcycle Emptiness Awesome song IMO.

[@Owlyross]

Love love love the Manics, James has one of the great voices and he shreds too

[@KevinKaffy]

@@robdee9341 under neon loneliness motorcycle emptiness 🎵

[@biggobmalc8118]

Skinheads in the UK in the late 60s early 70s that they refer to madness as being associated with were a totally different entity of the skinheads today, back then it was all about music and fashion nothing whatsoever to do with politics like it is today.

[@DayVid2.0]

I'd highly recommend watching This Is England, a 2006 British drama film written and directed by Shane Meadows. The story centres on young skinheads in England in 1983. The film illustrates how their subculture, which has its roots in 1960s West Indies culture, especially ska, soul, and reggae music,became adopted by the far-right, especially white nationalists and white supremacists, which led to divisions within the skinhead scene

[@Bluebell_uk]

Surprised to see Take That on this list. In the 90s they were everywhere in the UK. Including some strange music videos especially in the early years. The song "Do what you like" comes to mind.

[@Sicram]

Why are you surprised?

[@Bluebell_uk]

@@Sicram because of how popular they were. I didnt realise they weren't that well known in America. Take That, Boyzone and East 17 were probably the best known boybands of 90s in UK

[@kamc1959]

What they failed to mention there was that Back For Good did well in the US. when you think about TT took over from New Kids and i remember hearing the Backstreet Boys for the 1st time in summer 96 a few months after TT split up. Had they carried on going then the could've blended in with the new wave of pop music that appeared in the mid late 90s both in UK & US. They filled the gap inbetween but I reckon TT played a huge role in what pop music became from then on

[@stevegray1308]

Paul Weller from the Jam is a great guitarist.

[@hatsforbats1390]

A Town called Malice.👍🔥👍🔥.

[@JudgeGeneHunt]

Let's not forget also that Bruce Foxton on Base and Rick Buckler on drums were rather excellent as well

[@BulldogMack700rs]

Gotta love the Modfather days of speed is in my top 5 albums of all time.

[@mitchellbaker9434]

He's a lot more than that.

[@BRIDINC1972]

Always loved these bands. The Jam, Madness, the Stone roses, the phonics and Manic street preachers.legends. Still on my playlists.

[@kararoberts775]

The jam & madness are brill ❤️ so much amazing music xx

[@davidrowlands441]

When the jam used to perform and they did their practice and sound check earlier in the day they used to let their fans in to watch and listen for free cause as Paul Weller said,a lot of them didn't have tickets for the nights show. They were very much of the people.

[@garmit61]

I wouldn’t go quite as far as that. All Mod Cons was excellent but Like Oasis, Paul Weller eventually ran out of John Lennon’s ideas and unpreserved the jam. Madness were fun but like Take that it’s difficult to take them seriously…but at least they were actually a band unlike Take That

[@davidrowlands441]

I agree.

[@moragmckendrick1903]

Agree, loved them both. The Jam & Madness were brilliant. 💚💚

[@English.not.British]

Manic Street Preachers - A design for life. One of the most underrated albums of the 90's in my opinion. Particularly the song 'Australia' check it out

[@sleeplessbread1872]

Madness are the best man, such classics.

[@susantaylor1403]

I agree I am sure you would think them FIRE!

[@richardsinger01]

I’ve been listening to the following in August; Talking Heads, Speaking in Tongues ELO Eldorado Curved Air, Air Conditioning Focus 3 King Crimson. Islands Hawkwind, Onwards, Warrior on the Edge of Time, In Search of Space

[@awatt]

Hawkwind 👍

[@namethestars]

Madness are criminally underrated in my opinion, people tend to focus on the better known songs but they have so many others that don't get nearly as much love, my favourite will always be The Sun and the Rain. Definitely check them out further if you can 🙂 great video JT, took me right down memory lane 🥰 BTW mad love for mentioning Iron Maiden too. My favourite band bar none 🤘

[@evorock]

Madness are bloody amazing, they didn't do bad as a group of chancers from London lol

[@namethestars]

@@evorock indeed 😊 I wholly blame my dad for my love of them, he idolised them and passed that interest down to me lol but honestly the best memories I have are me and him listening to his vinyls on quiet Saturday evenings. He certainly influenced a lot of my loves in music.

[@rumpolegriff]

Madness where never racist skinheads .there are two types of skinheads. the media of the day projected racist skinheads of the n.f and the original skinheads who's music revoles around Jamaican ska and reggea,,rocksteady of which British ska evolved

[@evorock]

@@rumpolegriff if you watch when we were we, Suggs explains all about it, it's fascinating

[@evorock]

@@namethestars I always loved their mad cap videos growing up as an 80s kid, but as I got older and appreciated music more, you get a new respect for them. As a bassist, you realise how bloody good Bedders is on bass. They are not easy baselines by any stretch.

[@emmawheeler4624]

This list was basically my teen years in a nutshell, you guys are missing out big time!

[@kevinscott59]

Far more US bands never "cracked" the states.

[@Marty7787]

Have a listen to 'The Prodigy', absolutely fantastic band.

[@HighlandMike325]

Prodigy made it in the US. The Fat Of The Land got to number one on the charts in the USA, also got nominated for a Grammy

[@Marty7787]

@@HighlandMike325 learn something new everyday

[@chrismartin2663]

@@HighlandMike325 Quite true. However, there's a new generation doing reaction videos and getting quite confused by Keith Flint in a stars and stripes top dancing around an abandoned tube line. They just don't get how revolutionary this music (and video really) was back then.

[@darrendazzertodd]

Fire starer scared many a small child 😂

[@fraggit]

Wow, I'm so jealous of you listening to some of these bands for the first time. If I had to pick one, for me that would be The Jam. Most of those songs are from my youth in and around London. On a sad note, my brother in law was a big fan of The Jam. He died of a brain tumour about 15 years ago, but he got us laughing when "going underground" played before he was buried. He had time to plan his funeral and we didn't know about that part, bless him.

[@stumblepuppy606]

re: skinheads Skinhead culture in the UK has its origins in the fusion of culture that came in the 60's when we saw a surge of immigration from Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean which introduced new styles of music to a disaffected working class 70's youth who adopted the culture and the people who brought its roots to this country. Ska became a rather popular sub-culture through the 70's and through to the mid-80's and would go on to directly influence the BritPop scene of the early 90's, however the subculture ended up getting hijacked by a different group, who stripped it of it's Caribbean roots and modelled themselves instead on the skinhead white nationalist movements. By the end of the 80's, the original Skinhead subculture of Britain had faded away, no longer wanting to be associated with the bigoted views that mid-80's Skinheads had established. Most of the late 70's and early 80's Skinheads who had remained faithful to the inclusive and supportive roots had grown up by the time the 90's were rolling in, and had either migrated further into British Urban music subcultures largely inspired by American Hip-Hop and Rap though with its own unique twists, or had been drawn into the Rave subculture where togetherness in the music was a core idea even if that meant breaking the law to throw down an epic party, or simply migrated to BritPop with entire subcultures surrounding bands like Oasis and Blur. Being a Skinhead is nothing inherently terrible, and whether it is a bad thing boils down to whether you follow the multicultural origins from the 60's or whether you've swallowed the far right propaganda. For more information, the movie "This Is England" is a fascinating glimpse into the subculture from the perspective of a young teenager in the early 80's, and the subsequent tv series continue the story of the characters from the film and how they change as time goes on and the subculture they belonged to no longer existed, and the film at least is well worth a reaction.

[@vaudevillian7]

Great explanation, was going to recommend This is England too

[@tallthinkev]

Slade started out as a skinhead band

[@snowysnowyriver]

Excellent explanation.

[@danielleisabellabanyard9968]

The BNP in the 80s was associated with racial violence, especially against Asians, and skinheads made up a significant percentage of their membership. The Ox Blood Doc Martins to hide the blood and all that. But you are also right. There is a missing link somewhere because both are true. Somewhere a cultural path bifurcated.

[@bernardfender5147]

Thinking back it was bands like Screwdriver that twisted the original skinhead ethos of inclusivity into the NF (national front) nonsense. The early racist skinheads called themselves "Oi! Boys" but the name didn't stick

[@abitorryjones]

Stereophonics and Manic Street Preachers have been two of my favourite bands for most of my life. As a Welsh person, I'm insanely proud of boys. Great music and they always put on great shows too. Definitely check them out. You do love your Wales people after all!

[@jamespasifull3424]

Of all the bands on that list, The Jam are probably the most iconic, for the amazing catalogue of music they left behind when they split up. Paul Weller has probably written more great songs since leaving, than he ever did for The Jam, his output puts many music 'greats' to shame, & he's always worth a listen, if you can get past his left-wing politics first! Luckily for me, I became a huge Jam fan, long before PW revealed his 'red' side!!

[@ampersandcastle1091]

Haha it was the other way round for me, liked A Town Called Malice but became more of a fan after learning about his politics!

[@karmannghiaman1041]

Weller's politics are intertwined with his songwriting. A Tory wouldn't have written Smithers Jones or Saturday's Kids. He was also part of Red Wedge, although he was in the Style Council by then.

[@jonathansteadman7935]

Smithers Jones is a Bruce Foxton song.

[@karmannghiaman1041]

@@jonathansteadman7935 Eton Rifles then...

[@jamespasifull3424]

@@ampersandcastle1091 So we CAN share a common interest?!?! 🤣

[@clairec1267]

Loved the early stereophonic songs. Word gets around basically summed up life in the Valleys in the late 90s. Amazing at Cardiff Castle - other times they were still good but that night was fantastic

[@TopherPotter]

Probably a good thing The Jam never made it in America, they'd have to change their name to The Jelly!

[@juliepeters3716]

The Jello lol!

[@kevinscott59]

@@juliepeters3716 Yep. Right after that legendary outfit, Pearl Jelly!

[@Mel-cj5qk]

Dakota by Stereophonics and Motorcycle Emptiness by Manic Street Preachers are two of the best records ever made.

[@timyorke4465]

You got that right!

[@benamos2878]

A Grass in England is an informer, so if you did something naughty at school and someone told on you they would "grass you up",, some IRA members grassed on a lot of IRA members and they were dubbed a Supergrass, which is where the name of the band came from.

[@Sidistic_Atheist]

I'm Manchester born n bred.. It's amazing how many artists and bands we've produced.. I'll always feel pride for being a Mancunian.

[@edwardbyard6540]

Joy Division/New Order, among many others, were fantastic.

[@oldstyleman3819]

Great city Manchester, lovely people! I visited it two years ago and I loved it Oasis, simply red, the smiths... Yes, in my opinion Joy division is the greatest post punk band.

[@Solis1an]

Sending love from Northern Ireland! Thanks JT for making these videos. Ive binged most of them since I discovered you last week :)

[@SweetJennyFan]

Take That. “I never heard of them.” I love you man. Subbed.

[@i.is.butter]

Another great British band you may or may not have heard, Biffy Clyro. Their live shows are insanely good. 'Living is a problem' is a good place to start.

[@Rabant777]

Biffy destroys most of this list

[@mickenoss]

I was initially put off by how similar they sounded to the Foo Fighters, I grew to like them though. I would suggest Adam Ant though - super huge when I was a kid, not sure if America have even heard of his music.

[@charlottearmstrong547]

So glad someone recommended Biffy! Mon the Biff!

[@aqua_Laura]

Mon the biff! You're so right their live shows are awesome.

[@jeanpeuxplus7257]

+1 !!! Of course, Mon the Biff!

[@Marikioable]

The Jam was a great band. "Going Underground" is a great song. I loved it way back then and still love it now.

[@jerry2357]

The Jam were a good band: I once saw them live. Madness were great fun. Listen to their first album “One Step Beyond”, which is a masterpiece.

[@SCH0IE1]

Stereophonics are one of the best bands I've ever heard perform live. So good!

[@samanthanelson5449]

Great British music, loved it, you have to listen to more of Stereophonics and Madness brilliant bands😊

[@liztancock1773]

2 awesome Welsh bands in this list. Stereophonics are amazing! I love the first album but think that's down to how good the Morfa gig was in Swansea

[@sarahealey1780]

I seriously recommend u listen to all of them, Madness are a really fun band even if they were linked to skin heads they got men back on the dance floor in britian. Take That were the biggest band around during there time when asked if they wanted to go to America one of them said "I can't be arsed" so they didn't bother they split up and reformed 20 years later and were massive again and still are.

[@scottythedawg]

Two members of the manic street preachers were busking, when a woman walked past and said 'not another manic street preacher'. They liked that and so named their band after it,

[@howardjones7370]

Honestly, this just scratches the surface, there are so many excellent UK bands that have never made it in the States, and many better bands than the ones mentioned here

[@mickstafford456]

Surprised that Slade didn't make the cut. Awesome band, but they never managed to crack the US.

[@j0hnf_uk]

They didn't mention any bands from the 70's. But then, it's not all that surprising when it's from a youtube channel directed toward those under the age of 25.

[@chris_gh2639]

@@j0hnf_uk The Jam are mentioned and according to Wikipedia they were only active from 1972 to 1982? Pretty sure 2021 minus 24 is later than 1982 lol

[@j0hnf_uk]

@@chris_gh2639 The Jam may have been formed in 1972 but didn't record their first single until 1977. They had commercial success from 1978 until their split in 1982. So, hardly what you'd call a 70's band, per se. It's like claiming Slade were a 60's band having been formed in 1966, and yet didn't have commercial success until 1971.

[@woomeebly]

To be fair, their track gets played every Christmas...

[@staceynoir1988]

I highly recommend you check out more of the manic street preachers and pulp . Pulp are from my hometown

[@markp8824]

I would argue Madness and The Stone Roses are two of the best bands we’ve ever produced. You should definitely check them out. But were Supergrass even that big over here? Keep doing what you do JT!

[@harry_h2705]

Rose's are goat

[@KillerVybz]

Love the jam. Paul weller then went on to make over 20 solo albums 6 of which got UK number 1’s

[@timmi47]

Need more reactions like this love it!! Got bands like Catfish and the Bottlemen, you me at six, royal blood and biffy clyro

[@freyamurphy3860]

I love Stereophonics, I got to go and see them a few summers ago live in Wales. They’re from the same area that my dad is!

[@mattierenton701]

loved this, a blast from the past There was loads of bands like Space, Catatonia, from the Stone roses "madchester" stable like The Farm (altogether now being an anthem), Charlatans, James, Inspiral Carpets, Neds Atomic Dustbin........just a few for you to check out

[@juliandowner1427]

Great stuff! Sterios, Jam and Manics deffo worth a more in depth listen too.

[@deborahhart3607]

JT, you are so entertaining! I love your union Jack socks and the way you keep the queen in the cupboard. Priceless! You should take a look at the four candles sketch by the Two Ronnie's. It's a classic!

[@meatballsamurai3595]

Day 1 of asking: You should react to a british film. Id recommend hot fuzz, shaun of the dead and or the worlds end.

[@cervantes5958]

Agree with the first two but The World's End was a massive disappointment.

[@chris_gh2639]

Monty Python over those films any day and every day

[@duhusker4383]

They are all English films. And there far better BRITISH films than the ones mentioned.

[@alicerogers9151]

Take That are a household name here in the UK! And still going strong! Even with 2 members leaving, they continue as a 3 piece.

[@BOSH117]

Should have a look at oasis documentary

[@minoumcduff5727]

They kinda cracked America in a way. They are known lol maybe more for bust ups tho!

[@TheTwoFingeredBulldog]

Oasis were in the top ten in the US, had a fair few songs in the charts also. I think they are more known in the US than people think.

[@grahamjones3259]

We live in a different world now. Markets are more open to artists getting exposure online. A lot of bands never understood the commitment needed to break into the American market either, but KZbin, search engines and a curiosity from around the world allows us to go and explore culture we never used to have knowledge or understand. That’s the good side of the internet. The UK got a lot of culture handed to us by the likes of John Peel, who wanted people to hear music that was different to anything in the charts in the Britain.

[@geraintowen2947]

This was exactly what I needed to turn a great day in to a brilliant day. Cheers JT

[@brookemiley4927]

So I lived in the UK for 10 years and familiar with most of these bands. My favorites would be The Jam and Stereophonics but any of them are really good! Pulp’s song Common People is a must listen as well!

[@richardjones4466]

You Septics dodged a bullet with Take That!

[@thelifeandtimes.ofazombiegirl]

I really like a lot of these bands and love a few of them. Some of my favorite bands are The Jam, Pulp, The Smiths, and Joy Division. It really seems like rock bands have unfortunately have taken a back seat in America after Grunge except for a few examples while in Britain Rock bands are just as big as ever. Hopefully America will have some kind of Rock renaissance but we'll see. Great video! J.

[@ticketyboo2456]

I went to see the Manics when Richie Edward's was still with them. They are amazing and I would say on a par with U2 for quality. America missed out.

[@boli2746]

seen manics twice live they still bring it :)

[@scottythedawg]

i was at his last concert :(

[@Microdave75]

U2 were shit

[@ticketyboo2456]

@@Microdave75 Not at the very start they weren't. They once were class.

[@Microdave75]

@@ticketyboo2456 we'll have to agree to disagree, I've never liked U2 and always thought they were far too overrated

[@adriancruse3413]

One of my favs is “Squeeze” they’re still plugging away though and are touring in the US right now. And although supremely unfashionable, Sir Cliff Richard has got to be the biggest UK star to have not crossed over to America (well you did have Elvis!) before the Beatles we had Cliff Richard, and he’s still going!

[@gwrw1964]

Squeeze were THE best pop band of that late 70s/early 80s period.

[@royboy6890]

Squeeze are great but were unfortunately squeezed out (sorry for the pun) by The Police with similar music. Early Police were OK but Squeeze are better.

[@minoumcduff5727]

Check out Muse, they might be known in the US already tho

[@ethanbutler7866]

I think muse are known everywhere lol

[@Forestgravy90]

They're huge in the US

[@whosnext010203]

Can’t believe ‘the kinks’ aren’t on here! You should also check out two new British bands ‘One Cure for Man’ and ‘Primal’

[@rich_t]

The Kinks were popular in the US though...

[@jonathansmith1801]

JT check out the stereophonics. Definitely underateted and well chuffed to live only half an hour away from where they formed. Definitely a band that got better over time. Keep your videos coming bro. Sending love from the UK 👍

[@christinejames6328]

I love their first album. Still listen to it now regularly. Not one song on it that’s a B side type track. All fab!

[@andychapman-th3bl00dynine4]

Would have loved to see the 'stuffies' on that list. The Wonder Stuff were massively underrated even in England. Brilliant live too.

[@ethanbutler7866]

My dad introduced me to them when I was little, I remember dancing around the kitchen to size of a cow 😂

[@chimpbabe]

The Jam, iconic.

[@roxannac8059]

Of the ten bands featured, The Jam are by far and away, the greatest!

[@karmannghiaman1041]

By a country mile. The Roses and the Happy Mondays are my era but you really only need an album each of theirs, whereas the Jam, you need them all.

[@ncage2621]

One of the best live bands ever are Hawkwind, well worth a listen. 👍👍👊🇬🇧🇬🇧.

[@kevinscott59]

Lol Hawkind are practically a household name among US psych/prog fans.

[@carolinemccready7148]

Stone Roses DID reform before splitting again in 2018. Was at their last Belfast gig-what a night!!!

[@TheSarahlou]

Madness was just absolutely 💯 xx

[@RhondaKL]

I grew up in Texas,and in the 80’s loved Madness! I live in England now,and absolutely love The Manic Street Preachers.The Jam were also favourites of mine in the 80’s.

[@NannyMcfanny]

Take That were the soundtrack to my teens ❤️❤️

[@mama_bex8468]

I absolutely loved take that. Robbie and mark were my favourites x

[@helens3693]

Wasn't it Howard that said he couldn't be bothered to try to crack the US? 🤣 They were my life in the 90s, I loved Mark

[@tattycakes2k2]

We saw them live a few years ago and it’s the high point of my life so far. Amazing.

[@NannyMcfanny]

I have been very lucky I’ve seen them 6 times twice in my teens (90’s) and 4 times as an adult 3 of which were at Wembley so very lucky indeed. And keep doing what you’re doing JT !! ❤️

[@Cheezyb3an]

Good video man! When you said it's not pulp you've heard of, I bet you were thinking of Blur. The two of them were around at the same time. Also, WHERE THE HELL ARE THE SOCKS MAN!! 😂😂

[@leedixon4277]

Thanks for your amazing videos :) a massive thanks from Cardiff :)

[@kipp1231]

You can drop one step beyond or baggy trousers at any wedding, wake or kids party in the UK and the dance floor immediately fills with crazy dancers of all ages.

[@simonsaunders8147]

I was surprised that some of the bands in the video hadn't cracked America but not surprised that others hadn't at all. Some of the bands (for example Madness) are very British. They are still going after more than 40 years entertaining people. Some of the more recent stuff has been more serious with great lyricism to add to their great musicianship.

[@tonyfurneaux3399]

Hi Jt, I am a Brit living in Canada, for years I did long haul trucking to most of the States, the point being, almost whenever I stopped for food at a truck stop, usually Flying J, Madness was playing, either Our House, or My Girl. Also ELO Mr Blue Sky was another common song. FYI. Good review bud.