5 British Bands from the 1980s That Should Have Been Huge

[@JimDriver]

Here's a playlist of the bands and tracks featured in the video: kzbin.info/aero/PLeEUmIKakqXMBe8YNwSwl_tRxllxCikVq&si=ZkfWJ252eeU43yaR

[@Belinda-tc8qv]

@@JimDriver thank you ❤

[@billjohnston5737]

Jim, thank you for putting on these bands and shining a light on them. As a child of the 80s I have retrospectively discovered The Sound and The Triffids thanks to other KZbin videos and algorithms like yours. I'm aware you put on The Apartments who had the album The Evening Visits... And Stays For Years, at the Cricketers too- do you have any memories of that gig or the band? PS I love the various incarnations of Pat Fish and his Northampton band The Jazz Butcher but I'm sure you're aware of them.

[@Cyn12345]

Awesome!! Love this! ❤ So helpful.

[@stephenbudd3771]

As the manager of The Sound from their inception, I’m delighted to say that Warners will be reissuing their 1st 3 albums on vinyl in November! Including From The Lions mouth… their magnum opus. Enjoy !

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for getting in touch and for sharing that news. Cheers!

[@ashrobinson4604]

This is awesome! Any plan to release these albums on cd?

[@stephenbudd3771]

@@ashrobinson4604 Not sure yet.... hopefully

[@lindamcguigan5989]

Just on time for my birthday

[@t.o.408]

I've been a fan of bands like Joy Division, The Chameleons, Echo and the Bunnymen, etc. since the mid 80s, but I'd never even heard of The Sound until maybe 10 years ago. I picked up the two box sets that Edsel put out in 2014 and 2015 and I was blown away. I know I was listening over 30 years after these records came out, but I just couldn't figure out (and still can't figure out to this day) how The Sound wasn't huge after those first two albums. Just so much amazing music and a heartbreaking story with Adrian Borland.

[@jamesmaddock]

Hi jim james Maddock here . Thanks for including me on your list . That bought back some memories. And thank you for booking us back in those days ! Gigs were our life’s blood and being able to play The Cricketers and the Robey etc were vital . All the best to you and greetings from Brooklyn. Good old Wes !! Happy days !!!!!

[@JimDriver]

Cheers, James! I hope what I said was fairly accurate. Happy days indeed! All the best to you, too! (Coincidentally, they knocked The Cricketers down only yesterday!)

[@jamesmaddock]

@@JimDriver nearly but not quite . I’m from Leicester not Corby 😀

[@JimDriver]

@UCNyVPuj%F0%9F%98%83%F0%9F%98%83qabwdryjq3ln797Q I could have sworn you were living in one of those new towns (Corby is in my head) back then. Ah well!

[@greggfoy894]

James cheers! North to South is a wonderful LP. Too Close is dreamy and urgent and sad and pure soul. I remember Nick from TMTCH played on the record.

[@jamesmaddock]

@@greggfoy894 thank you Gregg great hearing from you

[@delby66]

I saw The Teardrop Explodes in Toronto in the early 80's at a club called Edgertons or as we referred to it The Edge. They played 2 shows there one early show at 8pm and a second show at 11pm. The club was packed for the first show that ended at about 10:30 and then they opened the doors for the 11:00 show at about 10:45pm. My mate and I got in there right away and found a table near the stage a great viewing point. Just before they came on these 3 lads (men more like it) came in, were looking around and saw that we had 3 empty seats at the table we were at. They asked if they could sit there and my mate and I said yes. You see, the young man who asked us for the seats was none other than Paul Weller of the Jam. The Jam were playing at a big venue down the road and when their concert finished, they came to watch Julian and The Teardrop Explodes. They put on a great show and to have the Jam sitting with us made it even better. We bought each other a round of drinks and they were great guys. After the show they shook our hands and thanked us for the seats. What a great night and what a thrill to meet those lads. Something I'll never forget.

[@leechapman-ri9rb]

Brilliant time you had that night, and The Jam being proper gentlemen, lucky you!

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for sharing such a great memory! Stories like yours remind me of the magic of live music, how it brings everyone together, and the unforgettable moments we occasionally experience. Thanks!

[@kevinwhelan9607]

What a beautiful story! Thanks so much for sharing❤❤❤

[@kevinwhelan9607]

I know you the feeling as a forgotten writer (Izzy Baia, the novel A Wonderful Boy, a poem in Alan Bennett's LRB Diary and last anthology and the Catholic weekly The Tablet)❤❤❤

[@bigdaddytreevo4120]

Teardrop Explodes and Julian Cope are both on my frequent play list. Class of '84, right in the middle of all the best music had to offer.

[@jbg48]

The Church had everything. Fantastic songs, brilliant twin guitars, looked amazing and were great live. Signed to EMI, toured with Duran Duran in their pomp, even had a hit single in the US - but nothing. And still going today - 40 years on...

[@JimDriver]

Thanks, I hadn't considered The Church. They must have a secret stash of magic guitars to keep going for 40 years! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

[@montaguewithnail6372]

One-hit wonders. The rest was pretty boring.

[@delby66]

I saw The Church in Toronto and the opened up for Echo and the Bunnymen. The put on a good show, but it was obvious everyone was there to see Echo. I was with my girlfriend who is my wife of 40 years now. That's how long ago that concert was.

[@marksumner9948]

I think Steve Kilbey is the only remaining original member now.

[@rooosterboy]

Also, Australian

[@matthewcoombs3282]

Go Betweens for me were the great lost band of the 80s. Though they have had retrospective acclaim since.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, I quite agree. In fact, the Go-Betweens were close to makin g it into the video. Cheers!

[@rooosterboy]

Not English, Australian, like the Triffids

[@keithkoenig5320]

16 LOVERS LANE is a perfect album. GO-BETWEENS did relocate to England for a time to see if the UK would discover their genius. So talented, so under-appreciated...

[@TreffBennett-g1h]

Just amazing music, The Go Betweens (great name!) are a music lovers wet dream! Thank you Australia for yet another top shelf band! Yes, it's heartening to see that The Go Betweens are continuing to attract new fans.....and why not!

[@T.E.S.S.]

@@TreffBennett-g1h weird

[@spookybaba]

Magazine were a band that should have gotten more recognition. Especially the first three albums.

[@JimDriver]

I quite agree and Magazine on are on my list for a future video. Thanks!

[@ViaMediaBand]

Secondhand Delight , a personal favourite of mine

[@mickmc5807]

I went to see Magazine in Munich in the late 70,s, I think they were the support act for Patty Smith. I met the band in the bar after the gig where they offered me a job as a roadie for the rest of their European tour. They told me where to meet them the next morning,and of course, we had so much beer I woke up with a terrible hangover and never made it. I ended up staying in Munich for the next five years,but how different my life could have if I had made it that morning😂😂

[@spookybaba]

@@JimDriver I look forward to that.

[@spookybaba]

@@ViaMediaBand Secondhand Daylight is a great favourite to have.

[@mattikiviranta-bobb3847]

IMO "Treason" (Teardrop Explodes) is one of the best songs ever. Still fresh as new after hearing it 100s of times.

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Connecting with fellow fans who appreciate such a well-constructed song is always great. Your enthusiasm is inspiring!

[@kaymanuel7256]

TREASON! still one of my favourite songs of all time.. takes me back to my youth in England. Now I'm in my 60's and in Canada

[@daveated]

Great vid as well !

[@10772Steve]

It’s just a story

[@kaymanuel7256]

@10772Steve Do you realise???

[@marcchrys]

Julian Cope is a well respected antiquarian..who has published several books on esoterica, stone circles, psychedelic experiences. A fascinating character..I saw him live (solo) in the 90s. He was clambering up on amp stacks whilst singing "Out of my mind on dope and speed".

[@JimDriver]

Yes, he is a very complex character and I much prefer the Julian Cope of the 1990s onwards to the man who led The Teardrop Explodes. Thanks for sharing that. Cheers!

[@simonwild428]

And much shorter than you’d think….

[@damonrobus-clarke533]

@@simonwild428yeah he looks like he’s tall- very skinny I suppose!

[@richardroulstone-roberts8598]

Was a period he'll walk the streets with a giant paper mache head, yeah complexed character covers it!

[@MisAnnThorpe]

@@simonwild428 Yes, especially if you think he's 7'5". Some people thought that the papier mache head he used to wear was actually his own.

[@quasarsphere]

How about Shriekback? They should have been huge. Also, their recent stuff is every bit as awesome as what they did in the 80s, and needs a lot of love.

[@JimDriver]

Absolutely! Shriekback deserves more recognition for their incredible past and present work. Thanks for reminding me. Cheers!

[@jeeed6390]

I somewhat agree. However the singles were not accessible enough. To an all-around music lover, they brought the goods. Production, song structure, and novelty. But they were just a little too extreme to gain any kind of a wide audience.

[@grahamnewman1072]

Oil and Gold is brilliant.

[@harryflashman4542]

Loved them when a teen. Think I had the first three albums. I also loved Sade, Grace Jones, Talk Talk, Black,

[@Fastnbulbous1969]

I especially love Big Night Music (1986), which is often underrated. They just missed my Lucky 13 list!

[@filbertthedilbert1]

The Chameleons should have been huge.

[@iangelling]

They are. They certainly haven’t “vanished without a trace“. This bloke needs to get out more.

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It's always great to hear from fellow fans who appreciate their fantastic music. I agree: they should have been bigger. Cheers!

[@JimDriver]

I wouldn't say the Chameleons are "huge": I suppose it depends on your perspective. Thanks for joining in!

[@iangelling]

@@JimDriver no they’re not filling the 02 but they have managed to keep going for over forty years. Their hugeness is down to their influence. A lot of bands point to them.

[@earthdragon3256]

One of my favorite bands!

[@mitchellbaker9434]

I still can't believe that The House Of Love wasn't way bigger than they were. I'm sure the band members' constant squabbling didn't help ,but they were so good musically.

[@JimDriver]

I agree: House of Love should have done better. You're right about the squabbling as I recall, and I have a vague memory of them being a bit hard to deal with. Can't prove that, by the way: it's just a feeling… Thanks for sharing that!

[@wisecoonie]

They were great! What a debut, epic!

[@bryanbayles8930]

Saw them at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC touring for their debut album-had never heard of them (they were the opening act-and they just blew me away! Immediate lifelong fan ( Chadwick’s touring right now I believe); just great stuff; still revisit those albums frequently!

[@guysingleton9611]

I've seen Julian Cope live a few times. He's great value, very engaging and funny. A real creative genius. The Sound and King Buffalo are new to me and I will definitely check them out. Thank you for some great suggestions

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the praise, I appreciate it and hope you'll please keep watching my videos. I'm not saying I didn't admire Julian Cope, I did, and I've always been a sucker for a "difficult genius", especially in his solo days. Never a big fan of TTE, though, or any other Pop of the time. There was so much other great stuff around. Cheers!

[@SuperNevile]

"The House Of Love" was a favourite of mine. Heard "Shine On" on the radio and rushed out to buy the single and excellent album.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, House of Love were another Cricketers regular during the 1980s, though I don't seem to have any memories of them playing. Thanks for commenting and for watching!

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

A band with a lot of similarities to House of Love were New Zealand's The Chills, who also had some minor success in the UK. Sadly their leader Martin Phillipps died about a month back. Well worth hunting down some of their music if you don't know it.

[@popatyourecords]

Saw them live in the venue in Edinburgh 1989 or there abouts

[@Pinkybum]

I heard Destroy The Heart and went right out and bought it.

[@charliecoutts3003]

I remember 'Christine' being No1 in the late, great John Peel's (F*ck You BBC!) Festival Fifty. Finally got to see them live at Chatham Town Hall of all places in 1989. Apparently Guy Chadwick was quite bitter later on about the lack of HoL's lack of success. He had a point they were excellent, particularly with Terry Bickers!

[@skasteve6528]

The trouble was that talented up and coming bands were two a penny in the early eighties. I remember the free singles that were given away with Sounds magazine highlighting up and coming bands, those were fantastic: Hothouse Flowers, Throwing Muses, Pixies, Screaming Blue Messiahs, Soup Dragons, Pop Will Eat Itself, Band of Holy Joy, Primitives, Triffids, Voice of the Beehive, Happy Mondays to name a few. Great bands, but most fell by the wayside. I believe Record Mirror did something similar. Just think, there was that much going on in Britain's music scene that it could support four weekly newspapers plus Smash hit magazine.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, there were so many great bands back then. Of course, making it as a Rock star (or even Pop star) was seen as a legitimate way to riches back in those heady pre-internet days. Cheers!

[@djh6970]

The triffids. Now that was a band. Saw them in the Errigle inn in Belfast mid eighties. Good times😀

[@global_nomad.]

I saw Pop will Eat Itself and Half Man Half Biscuit (amongst others i dont recall) at Kingston Polytechnic in the mid eighties...something on every thursday i think...

[@andubh9360]

Well, Hothouse Flowers where for one Irish and also huge for some time (after the video of Don’t go was shown on the ESC final). (Fun fact: I bought the Don’t go-single to a very reduced price in a record store the week before the ESC - since I knew they had been one of the bands on Mother records, a record label managed by U2, ment to help Irish bands launch their careers. Well, one week later Don’t go were a top selling single. And definitely at full price). If you like the Triffids try to get a copy of David McCombs solo album Love of Will (or find it on the streaming services). It’s brilliant. Kind of low key, not too many uptempo songs. But filled with feelings/emotions and showing the best of Dave’s sometimes very sensitive, sometimes powerful singing and his songwriting craftsmanship.

[@andchat6241]

@@skasteve6528 I don't think 'Record Mirror' lasted for very long into the '80s , it was always regarded as 'the least important music mag' Paula Yates had an opinion/ diary style page in it I believe. Although 'Smash Hits' mag eventually became a 'pop music/boy band' type of publication in the late '70s -early '80s it was actually quite good & covered music for those around 14 - 18 , I remember they reviewed 'Unknown Pleasures' in '79 & i was curious enough to get the 'Transmission' 7'' ( though I didnt know the lp didn't have a name on ,so it took a while before someone pointed it out in the shop) they covered the 2 tone scene & the post/punk groups & even the occasional JA performer like Dennis Brown & printed lyrics to songs like Clash '(white man in) Hammersmith Palais' & 'New Rose' that weren't available with the records ....... PS you forgot to mention from the early 80s 'Flexi Pop' magazine that covered similar styles as 'Smash Hits' ....but with a 'free flexi ' ! ....

[@Samyhermes23]

The Mighty Lemon Drops, Young Marble Giants, and Felt were some of my favorites that seem to have been forgotten

[@JimDriver]

Great recommendations. Thanks!

[@Fastnbulbous1969]

I totally had Mighty Lemon Drops and Felt featured in something I wrote a while back, 1986: The Year Indie Crashed the UK Charts, and they're still on heavy rotation at Rancho Bulboso!

[@SilverfoxJB]

My Wife loved YMG, I thought they were awful so gloomy. But I am with you on Felt

[@Samyhermes23]

@@SilverfoxJB Well, you got me at gloomy, haha. Cheers!

[@tmgee13]

I saw the Lemondrops in a tiny club in Vancouver. ❤

[@simonr5171]

Julian Cope hardly disappeared. Not straight away anyway. He brought out some wonderful albums including World Shut your mouth and Fried. He always seems to be touring in the late 80s with his rendition of Reynard the Fox being the highlight of his live show. Later he morphed into the Modern Antiquarian. One of the great British eccentrics. His writing is also first class - his biographies are superb and hilarious.

[@jackjude]

Yeah, he seemed an established national - well UK indie - treasure in the early 90's, when I started buying all the mags. A protean figure - if today a more obscure one.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, I don't disagree with you, but the title of the video is "5 British Bands from the 1980s That Should Have Been Huge" and The Teardrop Explodes could have been huge but sabotaged themselves out of it. As I've said in other comments, I'm a big fan of JC, especially his later work, and I too consider him a Great British Eccentric. Cheers!

[@Akstergrind]

@@JimDriverHe’s the greatest living Englishman. Always will be. Well, until he dies anyway.

[@saintgeorge6706]

The Comsat Angels another great band that should have been huge.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, I agree. Because they came from Sheffield, they never had as much exposure to the London Pub Rock scene as other bands I worked with, and I only have vague memories of them. I'll reacquaint myself with their music. Cheers!

[@saintgeorge6706]

@@JimDriver If The Comsats had come from Manchester, Liverpool or London. The NME would been all over them. The Sound a great lost band. I have a 4CD box set of their early albums.

[@babylonsburning1]

@@saintgeorge6706 I saw them live at Leicester De Monfort in Early 80's part of Futurama tour with Souixsie and the Banshees.

[@saintgeorge6706]

@@babylonsburning1 Alas, I discovered The Sound after their time had passed. I remember seeing albums of theirs but not investigating. The early 80s was a time of devotion and near religious fervor to your chosen idol to the exception of others. Mine being Echo & The Bunnymen... Thankfully I did see the Ice Queen of punk on a number of times.

[@steveforsyth6076]

​@JimDriver I saw them in Newcastle supporting U2. I thought they were the better band.

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

Three vaguely similar Australian bands hit it big in Oz at about the same time: The Triffids, The Go-Betweens, and The Church. And here, on the other side of the Tasman in NZ we had The Chills, Straitjacket Fits, and The Bats all making small waves internationally. All excellent in their own ways. "Calenture" is a second great Triffids album. The Doctor's Children look well worth checking out - thanks!

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and adding info from "Down Under" (presuming NZ classed as DU?)! It's always a pleasure to hear from a fellow music enthusiast. The Doctor's Children are indeed worth a listen! Cheers!

[@PinkFloydKnew]

Eddy Currant Suppresion Ring and Spiderbait are 2 Oz bands that should have been massive. Ride and Cabbage ditto here. Viagra boys should be doing arena tours by now but i think covid sort of burst their tyres

[@casinodelonge]

The Fits are the greatest band you've never heard of, incredible. Thought they went downhill when Andrew Brough left but Hail and Melt, lightning in a bottle as they say. Shame so many of the Flying Nun legends have passed recently, Andrew, Marty and Hamish to name but 3...

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

@@casinodelonge I agree completely. The tension between Andrew's angelic melodies and Shayne's rougher sound was brilliant. "She Speeds" and "Down in Splendour" are astonishing.

[@kforbreakfast]

Look Blue, Go Purple!

[@freaklips]

i just came across this video by chance. you are doing a wonderful service to music, so many bands have been lost to time, mainly because we live in a world where if you are not popular enough and appeal to the masses then you get forgotten, i did a podcast a few years ago along the same lines of what you are doing called the riff monkeys. you make me want to do it again. you sir are doing a very important job and i salute you!!!!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks! I really appreciate your support. It means a lot to know that this work is making an impact. Your podcast sounds great, and you should definitely bring it back. Let me know if and when you do. Cheers!

[@JMarinelli]

Great picks here-especially the Triffids, the Sound, and the Teardrop Explodes. Thank you.

[@JimDriver]

Glad you like them! I hope you subscribed and will come back for more. (most of my very videos are better than this one!) I appreciate the kind words. Thanks!

[@ruskin73]

Born Sandy Devotional was my favourite with Wide Open Road as an alernative national anthem for Australia. I remember seeing them live at the Boston Arms in Tuffnell Park in late 1986. Excellent band they were.

[@ruskin73]

The Triffids!

[@JimDriver]

They were great, wern' they? I only saw them when they played at the Cricketers, coming up for 40 years ago, but I can still remember moments from their set. And I remember sharing a joke with David McComb and his genuine but uneasy laugh. Powerful memories…

[@vanwolf2]

Starts with the magnificent Seabirds and ends with an epic final 3 - stolen property, personal things and tender is the night. It’s deservedly featured as a buried treasure in MOJO. Have listened to these tracks hundreds of times. Field of Glass is something else and prob better as an Alt National Anthem. I put that back on YT when a prev version disappeared. Essential listening.

[@koskar3]

The triffids were very big in Greece at the time. They came several times for gigs

[@Elrond1964-y4f]

One of my favourite bands was Japan all of the band members were brilliant musicians and the singer david slyvian was fantastic.

[@JimDriver]

I must admit, even though Japan were everywhere back then, they kind of left me cold. Maybe I should revisit them. Thanks for commenting. Please keep watching and taking part!

[@camerondavis9416]

Agreed, they were a terrific band. Ghosts was awesome. If you've not tried their Adolescent Sex album give it a try, just a bit different!

[@Andrey110379]

And their bassist is just a beast)

[@waynesimpson2074]

@@Andrey110379 Yes, Mick Karn, sadly no longer with us.

[@kaymanuel7256]

@JimDriver always sounded like he was trying to be Bowie don't you think? Did love Ghosts though.

[@LL-bl8hd]

Despite being a big fan of 80s music, I've never heard of The Sound. Just listened to the album you recommended, wow! It's like The Cure with Ian McCulloch on vocals! They sound about 3-5 years ahead of their time. Great video!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I hope you enjoy my other videos. Great critique of the sound of The Sound: I never thought of it like thayt before!

[@flippop101]

Just found this post and your channel reminding me of great days, great bands and venues, among others “The Cricketers“ where I luckily saw a band from Dublin called “The Blades.“ Quality KZbin! Many thanks for the memories!

[@JimDriver]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I too have fond memories of the blaze playing at the cricketers and I put on Paul Cleary many times over the subsequent years, mostly at the 100 club. Thanks again and please keep watching!

[@johncunningham9094]

Jim, these programs of yours are just beyond brilliant. I'm just about caught up with all of them. Stuff off legends Jim. Thank you. Never stop making these shows please?

[@JimDriver]

How very kind of you to say so! I hope to keep making them and I'm halfway through one at the moment. Thanks again and please keep watching and commenting!

[@johncunningham9094]

@@JimDriver Done and dusted Irmao.

[@dockerdave]

So great to see The Triffids recognised. They came from Perth (my hometown) and, as time goes on, they become more and more deified. Born Sandy Devotional is recognised as an important Australian album, and Wide Open Road has been voted as one of the 30 greatest Australian songs of all time.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for taking the time to add information. It's always welcome. Thanks for watching and I hope you're all fine time to watch more of my videos. Cheers!

[@replicas11]

The Teardrop Explodes were a successful band they had several hits, my favourite is Passionate Friend it made the top 20. I met Julian once, very nice chap.

[@JimDriver]

Good band but they could have been bigger and were never HUGE (the title) largely because JC decided he wanted to go alone. Thanks for taking part. I hope you subscribed. We need you…

[@darkestserenity6775]

I was a young teen in the 80's and a few of these I remember especially Tear drop explodes. Never heard of The Sound but I really like what I heard and will definitely be looking for more of their music. Subscribed I'll also be looking for more of your vids Thanks

[@JimDriver]

Excellent! Welcome aboard and I hope you find lots of videos you enjoy. (Either way, please let me know!) Cheers!

[@geej12]

Interesting selection. The Sound, Teardrop Explodes and Triffids are all in my collection, but I've never even heard of Doctor's Children! or Fire Next Time! Thanks for giving me something to look out for...

[@JimDriver]

Thanks: my aim was partly to share the music I enjoyed (not so much The Teardrop Explodes, I admit) that should have been big. I might even do another one… 😎

[@klausmalmede4549]

The Sound, Teardrop Explodes and Triffids are classics

[@SkiwithMike]

The Triffids were and still are superb

[@JimDriver]

Totall agree. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Cheers!

[@JustinCase-ld4ih]

Absolutely

[@haljalykakik2384]

Glad to see The Sound on this list, especially as the first one listed! I would also add the Comsat Angels to this list. IMHO they were criminally overlooked. Their second album "Sleep No More" is a classic. Thanks so much for the great video! Subscribed!

[@JimDriver]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! The Sound definitely deserves the spotlight, and I appreciate your suggestion of Comsat Angels. "Sleep No More" is indeed a gem. I feel a follow-up video coming on. Cheers!

[@archivist17]

I saw the Comsats in 83, and thought they were bound for stardom. It was (bafflingly) not to be 😞

[@PriapeBoudu]

I'd say The Dentists, Close Lobsters, Three Johns, The Primitives, The Darling Buds, 1000 Mexicans, Cocteau Twins, Nash the Slash.. the list is endless. I still fail to comprehend why The Sound didn't sell more records than they did. Absolutely brilliant band.

[@JimDriver]

I agree with you. Great list, by the way. At least three of those bands are already scheduled form imminent videos (all being well!)… Cheers!

[@guyberryman574]

And also This Mortal Coil.

[@gaignum792]

Close Lobsters were great!

[@PriapeBoudu]

@@gaignum792 They were. I forgot to mention Red Lorry Yellow Lorry. First two albums are superb.

[@flatfox70]

Love the Dentists and the Prisoners from Medway

[@markjones127]

I always thought The Durutti Column and A Certain Ration deserved to be much better known.

[@JimDriver]

Two good calls there, thanks!

[@leonnehaaijman4709]

I discovered A Certain Ratio last year and I was like: why did I not know of these guys?!!! I'm 55, so why have I never heard of them before? Bizarre....

[@JHatLpool]

The Durutti Column were magnificent but they were never going to be big.

[@Tcoldsteel]

A certain ratio FAC 001, or whatever, were terrible unless you liked Latin music.

[@lmarts]

So many underrated bands that no current band would beat today. Cabaret Voltaire, Jasmine Minks, Mighty Lemon Drops, Chameleons, The Room, Mood Six, Passmore Sisters, Talk Talk, Scary Thieves, Lotus Eaters, Shriekback, Railway Children, Weather Prophets, Lost Loved Ones, UV Pop, The Bolshoi, Sad Lovers & Giants, The Jazz Butcher, Corn Dollies, The Rain Parade, The Armoury Show, and soooo many more.

[@LostwaveObsession]

That is one WONDERFUL list.

[@JimDriver]

That's a great list! It would keep me going for several months if I only did videos on the Great bands on your list. Please keep watching and commenting. We need you! Cheers!

[@joesheridan2558]

flesh for lulu

[@robertwhyst]

I thoroughly enjoyed this clip Jim, and subsequently subcribed to your fantastic channel. It's somewhat a peculiar experience to hear and see those bands again after nearly 40 years. I count myself fortunate to have seen some of them at the time (in the Netherlands, and not actually realising who they where or how significant their music was and still is). Having played in too many bands myself over the last 40 or so years, in as many genres ...In my humble opinion, I've come to the conclusion that bands or artists who are more than often the original trendsetters in a genre, often don't reap the rewards (for whatever reasons) ... their music / style often "remembered" by crafty sound engineers & producers alike, only to be reincarnated by another "more successful band / artist".

[@JimDriver]

Welcome aboard and thanks for subscribing! You make some valid points there: thanks for sharing them. Quite often it was a band rather than a movement that captured the imagination of an audience and all those jumping on certain band wagons are doomed to fail. But it's all history now, I'm afraid… Cheers!

[@PWMoze]

Never saw The Sound but met Adrian Borland a few times in the mid eighties and my mate Steve sang BVs on his solo album. Adrian was clearly a troubled chap even then but also obviously very talented. So sad the way he passed, but at least the music survives.

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for sharing your connection to Adrian Borland. The Sound live on through their music and through people's memories. Cheers!

[@MisAnnThorpe]

My cousin's wife used to go out with Borland. By all accounts he was a very intense character; a troubled genius.

[@BMRCJAMC]

I had a shared interest in a lot of bands in the 80s, with my University friend Simon. I wasn’t into The Sound, but he thought they were great. He used to go and see them at The Marquee Club in London and chatted to Adrian outside. I think Simon writ a biography about Adrian Borland which you might want to check out!

[@markpritchard7000]

The Pale Fountains should have made it but anyone who knows the story about Michael Head knows all about this. Glad to see he's now getting his just rewards. Also, The Lilac Time should have made the breakthrough but probably not right for the times but in Stephen Duffy, much like Michael Head, a fantastic songwriter

[@JimDriver]

Some greast insights there, thanks for sharing them. Much appreciated. Cheers!

[@Nicefro1976]

What’s the story re: Michael head? My mum’s cousin was the drummer in the Pale Fountains.

[@thedrumdoctor]

@@Nicefro1976 An unfortunate relationship with class A drugs. It's a fine line between high-level creativity and madness. But us non-songwriters need their creativity in order to ride the train, so to speak. Thankfully he's come out the other side and is still getting the recognition for his talent. Some times it's better for your mental health just being the drummer.

[@janelloyd7601]

One of my fave bands

[@conssuckballs]

Pacific Street is still one of my favorite albums. Unfortunately the follow didn't do it for me.

[@I_was_a_Countdown_Kid-75-83]

As an Australian growing up in Melbourne in the 70's and 80's, I got to see a lot of bands leave our shores for the UK. It was like a necessary exodus because our music industry had little patience for bands that didn't play the cards like INXS played the cards. I have been a lifelong fan of The Church and have everything they did, including solo and side projects. They did have something of a buzz in England during the early 80's paisley, but America was more open to their brand of esoteric neo-psychedelic, as proven with the success of the Starfish album. I don't know if you ever considered looking at those antipodeans that wound up on the British shores like The Birthday Party, Go-Betweens, Triffids (obviously they've been addressed), The Scientists, Laughing Clowns, The Saints, The Moodists... Would be interesting to know your memories of these Aussie expatriates.

[@I_was_a_Countdown_Kid-75-83]

And how did you manage to make that photo of the Triffids move like that?

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for such a great comment. Of the bands you mention, as well as The Triffids, I had personal experience of The Scientists, Birthday Party, The Moodists and a little with the Go-Betweens. And can I add Runrig to the mix: or were they too folky? Runrig were possible the most popular with ex-pat Aussies as they packed out The Cricketers every Tuesday for a month in 1986 or maybe 1987 - I think!) It's a great idea for a video, thanks! I animated the Triffids picture in an app called Runway. That one was the most successful I ever did: some of the others are pretty feeble (which is maybe my fault for providing feeble prompts!). Cheers!

[@I_was_a_Countdown_Kid-75-83]

@@JimDriver I looked up Runrig and see they're from Scotland! Same band by chance? That's quite a list of Aussies you dealt with in the past.

[@alanmwd]

I saw The Unguarded Moment promotional video on a New Year's edition of The Old Grey Whistle Test and have been a fan ever since.

[@I_was_a_Countdown_Kid-75-83]

@@alanmwd I heard the video got played on the Old Grey Whistle Test in the day. In Australia, we only got isolated performances of OGWT of songs that didn't have videos (i.e.; Patti Smith's ''Because The Night''). There's two promo-videos of ''The Unguarded Moment''. The first version was hated by Steve Kilbey because it misrepresented the band. He demanded the first video be destroyed, but it ended up leaking to TV stations and is now on KZbin, much to the chagrin of Kilbey. The second video was the one that got played on OGWT. I've been a fan since I saw them perform ''The Unguarded Moment'' in the Countdown studio in 1981. Good to talk to a fellow fan!

[@stevegibb8780]

You’re like the Rick Stein of music, passionate and knowledgeable and tickling the ear buds and memories in a most engaging way, cheers, great vid and fab comments!

[@JimDriver]

Haha! Very kind of you to say so! Thanks for saying that and for being part of the community. Cheers!

[@thelatepetercook]

Thanks for turning me on to Doctor's Children! The 1st snippet of them kinda reminded me of The Only Ones. Off to explore more. Cheers!

[@JimDriver]

I'm glad you enjoyed the snippet! Doctor's Children/King Buffalo/Helter Skelter (as I now remember they became) had some great tunes. Happy exploring!

[@Terrence-r3n]

The Doctors Children bassist went on to play with Peter Perrett from The Only Ones. Small world! 🎶

[@davidwhite4874]

The Teardrop Explodes were pretty big.....

[@JimDriver]

Yes, but they could (and maybe should) have been way bigger if Julian Cope hadn't shredded their chances with the 'Wilder' album. and disbanded them. Despite its popularity now, 'Kilimanjaro' never broke into the Top 20 album charts, and only 'Reward' has had significant chart success. After that, it seemed to be a self-engineered downward spiral. Plus, I always try to include one band most people will have heard of to get them watching… 😉

[@davidwhite4874]

@@JimDriver Ahaaaa! Y’see…….

[@tlcrf80mins73]

@@JimDriver 'Treason' was a big hit. And 'Passionate Friend' not far behind it.

[@tonyjeevar6565]

I thought I might see The Bible here. Two great albums, a Should Have Been No 1 single with Honey Be Good and a singer who still has a career as a songwriter and producer now, Boo Hewerdine. Always under the radar

[@n23art]

and Cope had quite a few solo hits too

[@johnspaulding1681]

The Sound...I think here across the pond they got lost amongst the push...Comsat Angels were similar but they did get some traction...Teardrops Explodes....saw them twice in a Boston club, they were off their heads (at least J Cope was) but it was a great show!...surprised to see them here, really can't comment on the rest because I've never heard of them...and my tastes have changed...great video as always, keep looking forward to them...cheers!

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the kin d words and for the insights from your neck of the woods. I'll keep trying to make informative, entertaining videos. Who knows, one day… 😄

[@peterdemeteor8399]

Hi Jim, enjoyable as always. I saw The Teardrop Explodes in Leeds when I lived in Ilkley, and they were great, but I saw Julian Cope solo here in Bristol a few years back and he was abysmal. I also saw him on the street once, all dressed-up as if he was on stage. My three favourite 1980s acts (also friends in the London squatting community) were The Levellers (no, not THAT 'The Levellers'), World Domination Enterprises & The Bambi Slam. I'm off to The Fleece (a pub) this evening to see Jon Spencer (ex The Blues Explosion). Be Seeing you, Peter

[@JimDriver]

Very kind of you to say so, Peter, thanks! Please give my love to the Fleece (is it still owned by the former Blue Aeroplanes chappies?) I was thinking about including them in my next video on a similar subject: they played The Cricketers quite a lot and were another of my very favourite bands.

[@peterdemeteor8399]

@@JimDriver Yep - & I'm seeing them there in November.

[@ReviewsWeb]

I saw TTE in Leeds as well and they were awesome. The opening act were The Del Montes (like the tinned fruit), who were decent, but didn't appreciate the post-punk spitting.

[@LaurensVredevoort]

Thank very much. I fully agree on The Sound, The Triffids. The Doctors Children sound interesting. Good that you mention these brilliant bands.

[@LaurensVredevoort]

And The Gentry?

[@JimDriver]

Glad you enjoyed it! When I started this channel one of my aims was to spread the word about great music from the past that may have been forgotten, sprinkled with a few memories from my life on the edges of the music biz in London. Thanks for watching and for the kind words!

[@mattwright2964]

I started watching this and thought immediately of The Sound and bingo you mention them! They have to be one of the most underrated bands ever, although as you say the albums got good reviews. Yet they should have been massive. Go and listen to them now if you haven't, amazing band. 👍

[@JimDriver]

Haha, that's telepathy for you. I quite agree with what you say and thanks for adding to the conversation. Cheers!

[@Akstergrind]

The Teardrop Explodes WERE huge! They still are!

[@JimDriver]

It all depends on your definition of of huge. But I go with the flow and say thanks and please keep watching the videos. Cheers!

[@harrison6143]

Friends Again. A Glasgow band that released a great album around 1984 and I never knew about them until five years later, and I live just outside the city. Even Scottish radio didn't play them! Their song State of Art is majestic.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for that suggestion. I'm afraid I don't know Friends Again, but I will add them to my lust to check out. Cheers!

[@alainyap193]

Agree!!!

[@jackjude]

The Chameleons - but I suppose everybody already knows theyre the best overlooked band of the 80's.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks! Several people have mentioned The Chameleons and I am considering including them in a future video. Thanks for adding your thoughts to the debate. Cheers!

[@guyberryman574]

Second Skin is my personal favourite.

[@jackjude]

@@guyberryman574 yes, its where post-punk _altars_ into scared ceremony 👍

[@dikankan4805]

I had literally never heard of the Chameleons until my teenage son got very into them a couple of years ago, and WOW just amazingly good!

[@davidnelson3757]

They went through to many changes

[@g.garcia7151]

Thank you! All of these are great selections. I had never heard of The Fire Next Time, so I look forward to hearing more. A lot of brilliant bands are being mentioned by commenters here. A couple of others I’d throw into the mix are Prefab Sprout (who of course achieved some level of success, but not nearly enough) and Kitchens of Distinction (though their best work came in the ‘90s).

[@JimDriver]

A couple of great calls there: thanks! I remember Paddy from Prefab Sprout being a bundle of creativity. Those are the days! Thanks for kind words and for sharing your thoughts. Until next time.

[@retromusings]

What an interesting and informative video. These bands really should have been big for the reasons you mentioned. Will check out more of their music for sure.

[@JimDriver]

Thank you very much for the kind words. Much appreciated! I hope you're going to keep watching my videos too. Thanks again!

[@michaelreuss4741]

The Sound was the one of the most important bands in my musical socialisation. I own every song they ever recorded.

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for sharing your passion for The Sound! Connecting with fellow fans who appreciate their music just as much is part of why I make these videos. Cheers!

[@woofowl2408]

The Triffids were a uniquely Perth (Australia) band. Not sure that they officially ever broke up, just drifted apart. Dave McComb and a few other ex-Triffids became part of another fine band, The Blackeyed Susans, a sort of rotating supergroup of indie musicians. Some bands linked with The Blackeyed Susans were Chad's Tree, The Jackson Code, Martha's Vineyard, Dirty Three, The Scientists and many others.

[@JimDriver]

Totally! The Triffids were terrific, and their journey into The Blackeyed Susans proves how interconnected the music scene is. I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this! Please keep watching and commenting. Cheers!

[@michaelanickel6344]

I still love the Triffids to this day. One of my favorite Bands in the 80ties..❤

[@JimDriver]

Great band! Thanks for sharing that. Cheers!

[@emilymurray7130]

Every hot, languid summers day the lyric 'But it's too hot to move, and it's too hot to think' runs through my mind.

[@delby66]

Jim, thank-you for your insight on these bands. Keep up the great work. Sorry, I should have said this after my long story about The Teardrop Explodes. Rambling on too much. LOL.

[@JimDriver]

I really appreciate your support! Your insights and stories add depth to the discussion, so please keep sharing them! (BTW, I am the biggest rambler of all time: you should see how much is cut, and people still say I'm "long-winded"! Me, long-winded, I'll have them know I (etc., etc.) … 😄

[@jasonshaw40]

Hi jim . ive just found a mint condition vertigo label vinyl lp 1972 . by " assagai " were they popular and would the lp be worth anything ? Regards jason

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the question, Jason, but I'm afraid I'm not very good on valuing singles and stuff. I vaguely remember Assagai but they won't really household names optically famous, even back then. But that doesn't mean to say that the singles is not worth a fortune!

[@jasonshaw40]

@@JimDriver thank u

[@jasonshaw40]

@@JimDriver would still love if youd do segment on the " manor house " pub . hendrix stones mac played there

[@charliecoutts3003]

Here's one for you 'The Screaming Blue Messiahs'. Great live and released one great álbum.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, they were one of my favourite live bands back in the day. You're right, they should have made the list and will definitely be on any follow-up video I make. Thanks for suggesting it!

[@DanbyHasHerpes]

YABBA DABBA DOO TIME

[@Fastnbulbous1969]

1986 was a good year for post-punk/psych bands dipping their toes in the charts -- SBM made it to #90. Yeah I was really disappointed by the follow-up, Bikini Red (1987), especially the cringey "I Can Speak American" and "I Wanna be a Flintstone." UGh!

[@JHatLpool]

I was very sad when I found out that Pete Shelley is no longer with us. I still play 'Homosapien' (prod. by Martin Rushent !!!), 'Telephone Operator', 'Millions of People' ....

[@ManfromHell83]

Hmm shows what I know. Someone calling themselves The Buzzcocks were just here in PGH PA USA. I assumed he was with them

[@archivist17]

​@@ManfromHell83Think Steve Diggle now handles vocals.

[@stratopastor_uk]

Danny Wilson. Two albums of finely-crafted songs.

[@JimDriver]

I'm going to have to check out Danny Wilson, The name rings a bell but that's about all. Thanks for sharing it with us. Cheers!

[@stratopastor_uk]

​@@JimDriverthey went a bit sideways later but the first 2 albums 'Meet Danny Wilson's and 'BeBopMopTop' are great imo

[@misterspookyman]

​@@JimDriver Mary's Prayer was a decent size hit... excellent pop song.

[@MrGwaldo]

@@misterspookymansecond summer of love too

[@patrickmooney1428]

Jim,do you remember an 80s band called the whizz kids. Not sure if it was spelt with one or two as. I bought a single of theirs in the 80s which I have lost and don't even remember the name of. They reminded me of the Sex Pistols. I remember the lyrics " sit back and read the Guardian while your mortgage rate goes up again, is your wife in bed with someone else, are your kids in the park being followed by queers. The chorus went"Dont want to be a rich man in the graveyard, don't want to taste the gravy when the meat's gone cold and hard,don't want to a rich man in the graveyard, or in the crematorium with money to burn. I have tried to get information on the band using the name and lyrics, but to no avail. Can you or anyone help me? Thanks. The Drowning Craze belonging your list,should have been huge.

[@robertandriske1967]

Spot on with The Triffids. Deserved so much more success. Saw them live in 1985. Outstanding.

[@JimDriver]

They really were. Thanks for taking part. Cheers!

[@randallreid424]

Very cool, from a person who loves music and who grew up in the 80s this gives me something I find pretty awesome to do. That is too learn more about the bands you just taught me about, thank you and god bless

[@JimDriver]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for saying so. Stick around, there's loads for where that came from! Cheers!

[@andymoody8363]

Loved this vid, thanks. I remember watching The The Sound on Whistle Test and being fascinated and slightly put off by Borland's intensity, he also came over quite badly in music press interviews as someone a bit too impressed with himself but a talented and very honest songwriter nevertheless but I was saddened to hear of his passing. I was a huge fan of The Triffids when I was at uni, I played their first album, Treeless Plain, non stop and if I listen to it nopw it takes me right back to 1983! Another band that should have been huge were surely The Go Betweens, never quite made it past indie cult status for some reason.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks, I really appreciate the comment! The Go-Betweens were considered for the video but I thought I was already pushing my luck by including one Australian band! I think now Adrian would have been diagnosed with something like ADHD and he might have received the help he needed. I remember hearing that he described himself as a "schizo" to friends. Cheers!

[@MMnane1112]

The first 2 albums of The Comsat Angels are great too. If you're in The Sound's music, give them an ear.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, you’re absolutely right. I’m thinking maybe the Comsat Angels may make it into a future video before too long. Cheers!

[@phillipabond8333]

This was so interesting to me, thank you. Born Sandy Devotional is a dazzling album. I definitely now want to look into The Sounnd more deeply, they somewhat passed me by. I was very into The Comsat Angehls and my eternal favourites, Felt.

[@daysiewaysie]

ahhh i'm with you on the Felt... i started with a risky purchase of Forever Breathes the Lonely Word based upon impressions/reviews gleaned from the music press and from that point on became a devotee and simply had to own all their albums, mini EPs and 12 inches all with the exception of Train above the City, which Lawrence was never involved in. Whether the Maurice Deebank infused guitar sounds or the organ sound of Martin Duffy i treasure all the songs. i think on balance they're my most treasured band. I wasn't as keen on Denim and i'm not at all engaged with the Go-kart Mozart stuff ... beautiful beautiful Felt ❤ afterthought, i see that The Sound is getting much love in the comments and rightly so ! it's worth pointing out to anyone reading this that Adrian produced the Felt's final album "Me and a Monkey on the Moon", which has some lovely songs on it; my recommendation: try "Down An August Path"

[@phillipabond8333]

@@daysiewaysie could not agree more. I remember hearing Crumbling the Antiseptic Beauty on my Walkman as I watched the sun set over the Mersey and it was like a religious experience. I've tried to like Denim and GKM but it just doesn't have that elegance. Must go listen to The Sound now!

[@daysiewaysie]

@@phillipabond8333 i was actually listening to Startime from Harmony and Destruction just a little earlier. I'm so happy that both funds and the will was present to complete Adrian's final project after his most tragic demise. The songs on the album were the ones he was enthusiastically working on and in a misguided belief that his meds were affecting his vocals, he came off them. if i'm not mistaken, i think i read that many (most?) of the songs use Adrian's guide vocal as that is as much as he had accomplished. The clues are often right there in Adrian's lyrics, and now Adrian joins with with many other musical luminaries, twinkling brightly in the heavens. he has achieved his startime. whilst is consistent and outstanding, large body of work is ours to marvel at until the moment our own startime arrives

[@JimDriver]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the video and are inspired to explore more music. The Comsat Angels and Felt are fantastic choices. Watch this space… Cheers!

[@xreng1763]

Great video! Glad to hear someone talk about the Sound as I was a huge fan then and still listen to their stuff today. I first saw them in 1981 in Lille, Northern France. They were the support act for the Jam who were huge at the time. I bought the Sound's first album the following week. I then bought the second one which - I totally agree with you on that point - is fantastic. They were actually quite popular in Belgium, especially in Flanders, and the Netherlands and they often played there. They even headlined some festivals. So I got to see them three or four times. Adrian Borland's stage performances were amazing, and your description of them is spot on. In 1982 They had a double-page article in the NME who suggested they were the next big thing. I was therefore very disappointed to realise that no-one knew them in the UK when I went there a couple of years later. I even had to order their third album from the local record shop as they did not have a single copy and they'd never heard of the Sound. The funny thing is that when I played their stuff at the youth club a lot of people enquired about the band and said they loved their music. I once bumêd into Adrian Borland in the early 90s at a festival in Belgium, he had started a solo career then and I think he had played a gig in that city the night before. In fact he wasn't even playing at the festival, he was just standing in the audience watching local bands perform. He was very nice and quite shy, very different from the performer he was on stage. Such a shame they didn't make it eventually but it's a comfort that they managed to release four great albums to enjoy even now.

[@JimDriver]

Great stories! Thanks for sharing them and for the kind words. I’m starting to think that the comments are better than the video.😀😀😀 cheers!

[@anthonyaiello4343]

Have been listening to The Sound nonstop all day thanks to your vid! Also found 1987 demos for King Buffalo...

[@JimDriver]

Brilliant! Thanks for the great comment and for watching the video. Hope you subscribed and that you will enjoy lots more. Cheers!

[@chrysalis66]

The Triffids were / are amazing Perth's best band ever. What is the definition of "made it". If a band leaves a place in your heart and records we want to listen to time and again and introduce the next generation too, Job done I say!

[@JimDriver]

Absolutely! The Triffids' music has a timeless quality that resonates with so many people. It leaves a lasting impact. But, as the title says, they were never HUGE like, say, Queen or The Rolling Stones. Thanks for commenting. Cheers!

[@camflint]

I'd add The Chameleons, A Certain Ratio and Orange Juice. All fantastic UK bands (especially the Chameleons). Nice to see some Aussie flavour in there too. The Triffids are the seminal Perth band... where I grew up. 'Wide Open Road' always sends me back there in my mind... even though I left 22 years ago. Just a gorgeous song. Also love seeing a few comments in here about The Go-Betweens. Such a criminally underrated band from Brisbane originally. Love them.

[@JimDriver]

All great calls. Thank you! I really didn't realise how much The Triffids affected me until I made this video. It's as much a journey for me as it is for anyone else. Cheers!

[@lawrencecron672]

Screaming Blue Messiahs. That Petrol Emotion.

[@JimDriver]

Two great bands who will be appearing in future videos. Cheers!

[@richardroulstone-roberts8598]

Wasn't That petrol emotion former members of the undertones?

[@mingus80]

That Petrol Emotion were Irish except for the singer

[@allanrobins1564]

The Messiahs were great

[@BOARMoto-bm2mh]

@@mingus80I went to university (U of Washington) with dude’s brother (Greg(?)) in 1988 and ended up with a few of his vinyl that his brother was holding for him. ✌️

[@markszawlowski867]

Lovely vid mate, much appreciated as a man "ahem" delivered in the summer of love.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks very much for saying so! I'm a bit older myself. Born in '54, the Summer of… 😃

[@markszawlowski867]

@@JimDriver ...summer of great cinema, including Rear Window, the blinding Seven Samurai, and the timeless On the Waterfront 😉

[@MarkTWhiteside]

The Triffids are my favourite band still listen to them all the time. It was my sisters boyfriend in 1985 played them all the time I've loved them ever since.

[@JimDriver]

That's great! The Triffids' unique sound really sticks with you. It’s great that you have that connection with the music through your sister's boyfriend! Thanks for sharing that with us. Cheers!

[@BMRCJAMC]

@@JimDriver The Triffids did a lot of good songs. There’s not much like Field of Glass,(although I only like 2/3rds of it bcs the end isn’t my cup of tea, but the 1st 2/3rds 👍 Their sound really changed, became more accessible but still left of centre

[@ClothedBreakfast]

Although Cathal Coughlan and Sean O’Hagan are Irish I would add Microdisney to this list. The clock comes down the stairs is a great album and the lyricism and instrumentation is impeccable. It seems they got overshadowed by the smiths being on rough trade. There’s also a great documentary about them on iPlayer

[@JimDriver]

Yes, Microdisney were on an original list, as were Aslan, Maybe in a future video. Cheers!

[@matthewcoombs3282]

Love Microdisney. Fatima Mansions and High Llamas are both great bands, but Cathal music seemed hard to digest without O Hagans guitar and High Llamas a bit lightweight without Cathal's energy.

[@tlcrf80mins73]

Microdisney are still massive in our house. Crooked Mile is absolutely flawless,

[@gavinbarbara]

Yes! Microdisney!

[@ClothedBreakfast]

@@matthewcoombs3282 Think It’s that duo dynamic. Both are/ were exceptional musicians alone but together they just make something even better. I’m a massive noise rock type of person so love Fatima mansions

[@zorrgal]

Theatre of Hate should have been arena big. Still listen to them sometimes.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, I was a big fan of ToH back in the day. They always got played at the "best" parties. They're on one of my many lists for a possible future video. Thanks!

[@cyeamaculture8486]

Indeed..can remember the first time hearing Kirk Brandon's voice.. amazing..used to have the original sin t shirt back in the day..album was a bit disappointing ( especially the mix) but all singles were brilliant

[@chriskay284]

I liked them, saw them and bought all the rcords also Spear, but NME had a real hatred for them and I think all the negative press never gave them a fair chance.

[@keithbutler2222]

Saw Julian Cope in the early 90s in Coventry. Jumping off speaker stacks and definitely on something...was lively!

[@JimDriver]

Julian Cope is and was a great character and a showman (though he might deny that and say "artist", maybe even "artiste"!) Thanks for sharing that!

[@caeserromero3013]

Teardrop Explodes were definitely one that I remembered. I was only born in '78 but still remembered Reward playing on the radio as a kid. I 'rediscovered' TE (and a quite a few other old 80's bands) after watching Danny Baker's Match of the 80's on BBC around '96. It even came up in a discussion with work colleagues down the pub one evening around 2001/2 and a guy I worked with who was 10-15 years older than me knew them, and was surprised that I had heard of them.

[@bitteralmonds666]

Out of this group of bands, they’re the only ones I heard of and I think I own a CD copy of one of their albums. 💿👍🏽

[@JimDriver]

You were ahead of the curve with TTE, that's for sure! To my mind, they were the least talented of the bands I mentioned in the video, but that's all down to personal choice. Thanks for commenting and joining in! Cheers!

[@alanbutterworth4219]

A friend reminded me of a single that I thought was huge in 1980, but just find out it only made no.22 and was their only 'hit'.....Department S 'Is Vic There?'. Now that deserved to be a number one in any decade.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, at one time you couldn't go into any bar or club without hearing it blasting out over the speakers. There was another song about red leatherette or something that was almost as ubiquitous. In later life, a version of Department S did some gigs for me at the 100 Club and maybe the Borderline. Nice chaps, as I recall. Cheers!

[@TheDriller-Killer]

​@@JimDriver Are you thinking of Warm Leatherette by The Normal I think?

[@gordonmathers6489]

Triffids great song "bury me deep in love" was used for Harold and Madge's wedding on neighbours. Unfortunately even that couldn't get it in the charts

[@JimDriver]

Great fact, thanks for sharing it!

[@acvmurray]

Great video and I’ll look up some of those bands. No one ever seems to mention Big Sound Authority in this category though. What a song This House is.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for checking out the video! Big Sound Authority made some fantastic tracks, and "This House" is a gem! One day, I'm sure I'll manage to squeeze them into a video. I hope you're subscribed; otherwise, you might miss it (plus, plug!). 😎😎😄

[@WessexWilder]

I thought the Teardrop Expodes were pretty big for a while. Will have to check out The Sound and The Doctor's Children, both sounded excellent. Good vid, have a subscriber.

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for subscribing! I appreciate your support and hope you enjoy exploring The Sound and The Doctor's Children as much as I did! Welcome!

[@akiuliano]

All in for the Chameleons. Love that band. My pick is The Railway Children and The Mighty Lemon Drops

[@JimDriver]

Those are great calls and I think most of them will be appearing in some form in future videos. Thanks!

[@g.garcia7151]

I adore The Railway Children!

[@bananafishbones]

I saw the mighty lemon drops a couple of times supporting the cure. Amazing band.

[@judebogart]

The Irish band Microdisney were criminally overlooked. Great songs and a charismatic front man in Cathal Coughlan.

[@JimDriver]

Yes, Microdisney were great. In fact, in the 1980s, Indie music flourished in Ireland and produced several great bands. The Cranberries, Stars of Heaven, Aslan and Toasted Heretic, to name but four. Cheers!

[@russellbrill2386]

Icicle works oughta av been huge an’all

[@JimDriver]

Yes, totally agree though, personally, I prefer Ian McNabb's later work, especially Head Like A Rock. Cheers!

[@steveb8269]

Thanks for mentioning The Icicle works, When it all comes down and Love is a wonderful colour are amazing tracks

[@Mspoor70]

Gawd yes!

[@RighteousBrother]

Great video! Love your presenting style. You've got a new subscriber!

[@JimDriver]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for the kind words and for subscribing. I hope you enjoy my other videos just as much (I get annoying, after a while@!). Cheers!

[@kjetiljansen355]

The Triffids song Wide Open Road still gives me a shiver down the spine. Will check out those buffalo doctors guys ASAP.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for commenting and for watching. I remember when The Triffids played at the Cricketers, the audience was mesmerised by them. You can find King Buffalo/Doctor's Children music online if you search and ignore the recent US band masquerading as King Buffalo. Here's the full version of the track I played: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aouUaWmqe7Gmhq8si=42vtcBgVMeadth8G

[@robertevans6596]

Wide open road, yes I had it on a cassette obs. Triffids the Church and go between all superb

[@crawford1083]

The Teardrop Explodes! Loved them back in the day. Saw them in a large gig pub in Sydney when I lived there, when they toured down under. The Family Inn which is no more. Sadly.

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for sharing that memory. I don't think there are more than 5 working music pubs left in London after the hundreds that existed (and prospered) in the 1970s and 1980s. Sadly, indeed!

[@salsabil44]

The Psychadelic Furs should have been huge. Magazine too.

[@mattwright2964]

Err both were pretty big to be fair.

[@JimDriver]

Too great calls. Thanks!

[@JimDriver]

Yes, but the titles of the video is "5 British Bands from the 1980s That Should Have Been Huge" and I'm not sure either were that huge. Thanks for joining in the conversation: I love the cut and thrust of debate. Cheers!

[@hoedurftge]

The psychedelic Furs tried to change their great alternative sound to become a commercial pop band when their song 'Pretty in pink" got in the movie, and it was an artistic failure.

[@stuart3744]

The furs did get mega in USA

[@chrisobee8285]

"Reward" is on a number of my 80's playlists, it's a great song. I remember Julian Cope going solo, " World Shut Your Mouth " springs to mind. For me I think that there were so many great artists and bands in the 80's it was almost inevitable some would fall off the radar/my radar. Thanks for sharing!

[@JimDriver]

Thank you for taking part! I think you could be right. There was so much else going on back then, I suppose not everything could rise to the top. Please keep watching and please keep commenting.

[@newwavepop]

The Sound are my FAVORITE band period, i discovered them in about 1990 right after i graduated. it is amazing that i found them then as honestly i am not even sure their stuff was released in the U.S. at the time.

[@JimDriver]

It's great to hear how long you've been a fan of The Sound against all the odds! Their music transcends borders and time; sometimes, things are just meant to happen. Thanks for taking part, and please stick around for more videos. Cheers!

[@Fastnbulbous1969]

Nice, those records were hard to find in the states for sure! It took me five years before I found the first two, I think at Cheapos in St. Paul, just in time to feature them on my college post-punk radio show, Fester's Bucket O' Nasties in the late 80s. Where'd you find yours?

[@petertaylorson5783]

Definitely The Sound - marvellous band, and you can add to that The Comsat Angels and The Chameleons.

[@JimDriver]

All great calls. Thanks!

[@jamesmay3941]

Did you ever have Crazyhead at the Cricketers? I used to get the local train into London in the 80s to see all sorts of under the radar bands and Crazyhead were probably my favourite.

[@richardgale1287]

If I may, I'll add three that barely tickled the charts despite resident talent: Goodbye Mr Mackenzie charted at no.37 with 'The Rattler' but record label stuff happened and they eventually morphed into Angelfish before singer Shirley Manson left for stardom with Garbage. Fame moved the other direction for Ellis, Beggs and Howard, whose 'Big Bubbles, No Troubles’ stalled at no.41; Nick Beggs was previously in Kajagoogoo (he's the tall poodle-perm one), and is a brilliant bassist. Finally, The Bible, fronted by singer/songwriter Boo Hewerdine. Their best chart-botherer, 'Graceland', reached no.51, and I recommend their album 'Walking The Ghost Back Home'. Like EB&H, they're still theoretically going, if sporadically.

[@JimDriver]

I appreciate you adding those great examples to the conversation! It’s fascinating to hear about the journey of these artists and their hidden gems. Cheers!

[@steviemick8074]

I'll have to have a listen to my Goodbye Mr McKenzie stuff, now you've reminded me. Used to live them. Saw them supporting somebody in the late 80's I think it was, but can't remember who it was.

[@chridrussell4413]

​@@steviemick8074 GMM reformed a couple of years ago and are doing tours and are absolutely epic.

[@danielhresko4900]

Boo Hewerdine put out an excellent album with Texan songwriter Darden Smith called Evidence back in the 80s or early 90s. Well worth a listen.

[@philipTOMPSETT]

Really enjoying these vids and thanks for sharing your memories and experience of such a great era. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@JimDriver]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I will certainly do my best to keep sharing my memories and experiences. Cheers!

[@chuffa1130]

Thank you for sharing definitely stumped me on most of those bands, being from the United States the UK was pumping out so many good bands in the '80s

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yes, I agree. I was always amazed how many great bands we had in the UK from the 1960s onwards. I don't know what formed the creative compost. Not so much now, sadly!

[@shubr66]

The Alarm were a super band who were underrated

[@JimDriver]

I quite agree. Thanks, I'll add them to my list. Cheers!

[@Gretschbeach]

I just came to the comments to say this very thing. I saw them open for U2 in like 84 and they blew me away.

[@luizpinto4769]

Declaration for me is the 10 best album all the time

[@archivist17]

The Alarm were great at first, but I feel they didn't keep up the momentum.

[@JF-kv1gm]

I have the feeling that the Alarm were still performing until not v many years ago. Mike Peters has been living with cancer for many years and campaigning for people to sign up to a donors list. He also performed with Big Country, taking the place of his dear friend, the sadly missed Stuart Adamson.

[@andrewmoonbeam321]

Sad Lovers and Giants and The Chameleons, The Associates, The Blue Nile.

[@JimDriver]

Great calls, thanks. More names added to my lists. Cheers!

[@gdmcv343]

Totally agree with you

[@andrewmoonbeam321]

@@JimDriver Keep up the good work!

[@thedrumdoctor]

Sad Lovers and Giants - that's a name I'd forgotten! I was in a band on the same label as them.

[@andrewmoonbeam321]

@@thedrumdoctor How cool!!

[@BrokenSymmetry1]

The Lotuseaters had an excellent first album

[@kimshaky]

the first picture of you and it hurts are 2 masterpieces

[@MisAnnThorpe]

@@kimshaky I'm pretty sure it was their only album.

[@kimshaky]

@@MisAnnThorpe i'm talking about singel tracks

[@francismcgrath9398]

Buddy Curtess played several times at the venue. One time, they were all set to play on a Friday night. Unfortunately they had to cancel another amazing appearance at The Cricketers because Roy Orbison wanted them to support his UK tour - starting at the Royal Albert Hall. But The Cricketers was always an excellent place to see all the upandcoming bands of the day. Great times!

[@MisAnnThorpe]

@@kimshaky Sorry, I thought I'd replied to BrokenSymmetry.

[@MadderMel]

Came up in my feed , so I subbed ! I saw that Magazine were mentioned in one of the comments , I still play Magazine quite a bit today !

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the sub, I really appreciate it and hope you enjoy more of my videos. Magazine were a very interesting band but I’m not sure they were ever going to make it huge. I’ve mentioned them previously and I’m sure I’ll vote more space to them in future videos. Cheers!

[@nicmancer7296]

Great video. The Sound should have been huge. Heartland is a classic song, which I still listen to today. Teardrops too should have been bigger, though they did have a few minor hits from Wilder, like Treason and Passionate Friend. The other bands I'll have to check out. Thanks again.

[@JimDriver]

I really appreciate your kind words! It's always great to hear that others love these classic bands just as much as I do. Enjoy exploring the other bands, and I hope you enjoy some of my other videos just as much!

[@marktrickett5081]

Yes, I saw the Triffids. Birmingham Irish Centre Black Swan Tour. Great live.

[@JimDriver]

I think you're right. I can still remember the tingles that went down my spine when they played t The Cricketers. I'm never sure if the feelings I get from listening to their recorded music is because of those memories or because of the music. Thanks for joining in!

[@PhillipaBond]

I think I was there that night in Digbeth. Pretty sure I saw Sugarcubes the following day in same venue!

[@shaunw9270]

Another interesting video thanks Jim . I'm sure I've watched all your videos but can't recall if you've ever mentioned The Count Bishops? Did you ever see them play ?

[@JimDriver]

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated. Yes, pretty sure I included the (Count)_ Bishops in a video, but I can't for the life of me remember which it was. I booked them several times them at the Cricketers and at the 100 Club. Thanks again: cheers!

[@Kevin-tq9fr]

Great band The Count Bishops ,saw them many times at Kensington pub in west London.