Your favorite unknown/little-known bands

[Progtopia]

I thought this might be a good way for word to get out about brand-new prog artists or woefully underappreciated ones to get some exposure. As a prog podcaster, I'm always interested in being introduced to the hidden gems, so I'm hoping to hear about some of those bands by starting this thread.

I'll start it off with a band from Virginia Beach called Divine Ratio. They released their debut Split by Unity in September, and for the moment it's download only, although they're working on getting physical copies printed. Very Porcupine Tree-sounding, and their guitarist admits to a heavy admiration for David Gilmour. I had their lead singer Bryan Knispel on my show for an interview a couple months back. Their single is called "One Less God," which is a response to those who might imply that events like natural disasters are some sort of heavenly retribution for sin. Well worth checking these guys out.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ONBiiu0z0Q

[polmico]

Ascended Masters. Slightly Canterbury.

http://ascendedmasters.bandcamp.com/album/megaproject-theme

[Polypet]

Underground Railroad
Advent
Polyethylene Pet/+1
Rascal Reporters
Sanguine Hum
Karda Estra

all board members, btw :)

[bill g]

Underground Railroad
Advent
Polyethylene Pet/+1
Rascal Reporters
Sanguine Hum
Karda Estra

all board members, btw :)

That's a great list. All excellent artists. I might add Ere G (lovely symphonic music from Quebec - a bit of Hackett, Ant Phillips, PFM, Genesis, Harmonium, Camel all mixed perhaps) and somewhat known, but not nearly enough - Mr. Sirius. Much better than it sounds, kind of Hackett meets Canterbury meets fusion.

[Progatron]

Resistor. They've gained slightly in popularity in the last year or so but not as much as they deserve. Great little band, and to be honest I like Steve Unruh's solo catalogue even better - I wish there was more of it readily available to link here. He was recommended by a friend a few years back and I took a chance on one of his albums on iTunes. Within weeks I had purchased every last one of his and Resistor's CDs. Outstanding and talented multi-instrumentalist. Right up there with Phideaux Xavier and Matthew Parmenter for modern-day prog musicians/songwriters. In fact, all three of their catalogues can be found in the same area of my shelves. :up



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAMK6heZLQk


Lyrian. I brought them up on PE 2.0 a while back but found I was in a tiny minority who like them. I was intrigued by an article I read in PROG magazine and ordered both their albums direct from them - gorgeous artwork in these. Their second, the sprawling, two-disc set The Tongues Of Men And Angels clocks in at a Flower Kings-worthy 126 minutes! I know the vocals are the main hurdle for some people here, and I understand that (personally, I don't mind the actual singer, but the way the vocals are mixed sometimes is over the top)... but I just love this stuff overall. I hope some of you at least give them a chance.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm6aBKg24Uk


Mindgames. Possibly more well-known than the others(?) but again, not nearly as well known as they should be, even in prog circles. I expect there are fans here, of course, but I don't recall much discussion of them. I wanted to post the epic track from their MMX album but it's not on YT. "Neo" haters may want to give this a pass. ;)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Dpo6vLkCo

[Big Ears]

AFT

[NogbadTheBad]

Pikapika TeArt - Siberian Chamber Rock

Arteria - Mexican band with heavy Univers Zero influence, includes members of Nazca & Culto sin Nombre

3 Mice - Mellow, edgy project from Dave Willey, Elaine De Falco & Cedric Vuille

MoeTar - Edgy Prog Pop from Oakland with outstanding female vocalist & featuring Matt Lebofsky of Secret Chiefs 3 on keyborads

Unit Wail - new Frank Fromy (Shub Niggurath) project, has a Shub guitar sound but modern edgy feel excellent

Corima - US Zeuhl band who are a cross between Magma & Koenjiyakki

Ske - Paolo from Yugen's solo project, lovely blend of vintage symph & avant

[ProgPariah77]

Divine Ratio - interesting stuff ... is their EP of comparable quality?

[Progtopia]

I don't actually have the EP, but I believe that was done without the producer for Split by Unity, Tom Gwaltney. According to Bryan Knispel (DR's singer), he was very instrumental in shaping the sound of Split.

And thanks for the suggestions here, everyone!

[bondegezou]

Firefly Burning, with a mix of folk, gamelan, post-rock and modern jazz. http://www.fireflyburning.co.uk/ for details. They play live in London and have one album out, Lightships.

Biota. Have been around for years and recorded several albums, but still little-known. Object Holder (with Chris Cutler guesting) is the one to get. Very avant-garde, but also very melodious.

Michael Sherwood. Billy's older brother and did backing vocals for ABWH on Union. Has worked with Michael Jackson and Steve Porcaro. But a great artist in his own right. Try and find his solo album Tangletown, like a modern Peter Gabriel.

Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, jazz-y project from former Smashing Pumpkins drummer. Not unlike Bruford!

Henry

[roddenberry]

I recently stumbled onto a new band called Transcend. Damn good stuff!
Best description would be Symphonic prog with metal edges, or prog metal with symphonic edges:
their website: http://www.transcendband.com/
here's an excerpt of their stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BV1tvOgrgA
most of their new album is on Youtube, and well worth it to get on CD. The guitar work is exquisite, the young keyboardist is very energetic and quite talented.
Check them out.

Robert

[Progtopia]

Yes, I've heard Transcend's music, and I agree. Haven't picked it up yet, but I plan to.

[TheH]

[QUOTE=Progatron;6801]Resistor.



Lyrian. I know the vocals are the main hurdle for some people here, and I understand that (personally, I don't mind the actual singer, but the way the vocals are mixed sometimes is over the top)... but I just love this stuff overall. I hope some of you at least give them a chance.


Sorry but the vocals are much more than a hurdel. These are the single most laughable vocals ever. But at least if I'm feeling down, I can always hear a minute of Lyrian (more would be dangerous) and then I will be
laughing for hours.

[NogbadTheBad]

Firefly Burning, with a mix of folk, gamelan, post-rock and modern jazz. http://www.fireflyburning.co.uk/ for details. They play live in London and have one album out, Lightships.

Biota. Have been around for years and recorded several albums, but still little-known. Object Holder (with Chris Cutler guesting) is the one to get. Very avant-garde, but also very melodious.

Henry

I picked up the Firefly album earlier this year based on your reco Henry, it's very good, highly recommended.

I picked up the latest Biota album, Cape Flyaway, very good, can't speak to Object Holder.

[tu66]

I will present the same band like the user Progtopia. He already show the info of the band Divine Ratio, so I will post only an album preview of their first full length album entitled 'Split by Unity' I really enjoy this peace of art folks!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e5HxG95VBA
divine ratio split by unity download (http://freehardmusic.com/albums/metal/split-by-unity_50731.html)
Rock on!

[Rarebird]

Anomaly

[ronmac]

Top of my list: Nektar. Yes, they're known here. But, outside of the Prog community, I have yet to run into anyone who knows of them.

[klothos]

Top of my list: Nektar. Yes, they're known here. But, outside of the Prog community, I have yet to run into anyone who knows of them.


Thats why I didnt post I.Q. as my pick: On this board, they are well-known but -outside of PE - the general public has no clue who they are

[ronmac]

Thats why I didnt post I.Q. as my pick: On this board, they are well-known but -outside of PE - the general public has no clue who they are

I hear ya. IMO, Nektar is one of those bands that could have been as big as the big five, if only self-inflicted "circumstances," timing and luck didn't work against them.

[sergio]

Light, with only album Light. Mario Driessen project from late 90s. A couple epic moments there with 22min number. Was out on SI music and replicated in Japan.

[sergio]

Resistor. They've gained slightly in popularity in the last year or so but not as much as they deserve. Great little band, and to be honest I like Steve Unruh's solo catalogue even better - I wish there was more of it readily available to link here. He was recommended by a friend a few years back and I took a chance on one of his albums on iTunes. Within weeks I had purchased every last one of his and Resistor's CDs. Outstanding and talented multi-instrumentalist. Right up there with Phideaux Xavier and Matthew Parmenter for modern-day prog musicians/songwriters. In fact, all three of their catalogues can be found in the same area of my shelves. :up



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAMK6heZLQk


Lyrian. I brought them up on PE 2.0 a while back but found I was in a tiny minority who like them. I was intrigued by an article I read in PROG magazine and ordered both their albums direct from them - gorgeous artwork in these. Their second, the sprawling, two-disc set The Tongues Of Men And Angels clocks in at a Flower Kings-worthy 126 minutes! I know the vocals are the main hurdle for some people here, and I understand that (personally, I don't mind the actual singer, but the way the vocals are mixed sometimes is over the top)... but I just love this stuff overall. I hope some of you at least give them a chance.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm6aBKg24Uk


Mindgames. Possibly more well-known than the others(?) but again, not nearly as well known as they should be, even in prog circles. I expect there are fans here, of course, but I don't recall much discussion of them. I wanted to post the epic track from their MMX album but it's not on YT. "Neo" haters may want to give this a pass. ;)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Dpo6vLkCo

Mindgames #2 was interesting, I had high hopes for #3, but it didn't deliver. And although I had all 3 albums in my shopping cart at some stage, I clicked 'bin it'. there was just 1 song that I liked from the last album (forgot titles etc). Vocals on #2 were quite exciting, lively honest etc. Simon Says (who are a worthy contender in that category) type of thing. Maybe next time.

[flowerking]

Little known by whom? The general public? Then I'd go with Phideaux, Panic Room, Hatfield and the North and Magenta among others. Little known by prog fans? I don't think I know any band that many of you don't already know...

[Sputnik]

Wow, to many to name them all. Some of my very favorites that seem to be almost totally unknown:

Antiheroe (Argentina)
Apothecary (US)
Castle Canyon (US)
Deformica (Argentina)
Effecto (Chile)
Exsimio (Chile)
Flotante (Chile)
Govea (Mexico)
Klaine Trio (Chile - Media Banda offshoot)
Manogurgeil (Finland)
The Other Side (US)
Tanger (Argentina)

Plenty of others, but those are the ones that pop to mind. Mostly bands that are still active, or at least were not too long ago.

Bill

[MJBrady]

Fulano
Mediabanda
Horeja
Impact Fuze
Leprechaun
Alexander Kostarev Group
Stratus
Residence Of The Future
The Gourishankar
Visitor 2035
Flying Island
lgzit-nine
Amagrama
Toehider
Phoenix Eye
TAAL
Talisma
Kada
Gecko's Tear
Jetlag - Delusiones Optica
Shinsekai
Naikaku
Azoth - The Awkards Age's End
Banda Elástica
Q - 2011 - Abduccion
Mahesh - Procesos
Simon Steensland
Samla Mammas Manna and related
Parallel Mind
Akribi
Toccata - Circe
Octopus
Heart of Sun
Persona Grata - Reaching Places High Above

[polmico]

Syd Arthur. Slightly Canterbury.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsuB4IXEJz8

[Digital_Man]

I don't know. There's lots. Where do you draw the line between an unknown and known prog band? With prog it's not so easy to do. I mean there's tons of prog bands that many prog fans would consider well known but not many people outside of prog circles would. What bands would be on the bubble? Discipline? Glass Hammer? Le Orme? I think sometimes there's a blur between who's known and who isn't.

[Digital_Man]

Top of my list: Nektar. Yes, they're known here. But, outside of the Prog community, I have yet to run into anyone who knows of them.

Jeez, there's a whole bunch of bands like that. You could probably add Gentle Giant and Camel to that list as well. Also, Van der Graaf Generator and possibly Renaissance. I'd say aside from maybe a dozen bands(if that)there aren't many prog bands your average non prog music fan would know about.

[No Pride]

Underground Railroad
Advent
Polyethylene Pet/+1
Rascal Reporters
Sanguine Hum
Karda Estra

all board members, btw :)
You opened the window, Kim! If you can list your own band (and you know I feel you deserve much more recognition), I guess it's okay to bring up mine, Bad Dog U.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oakFPTh0JEA

Also, a shout out to my local buddies, Kick The Cat. Some folks here know about this awesome Chicago area fusion band, but not enough.

[WytchCrypt]

I have lots of faves from the little known US 70's prog band scene...most of these are 1 album wonders that flew well under the radar...

Netherworld
Pentwater
Mirthrandir
Ethos
Yezda Urfa
Fireballet
Cathedral
Shadowfax

[polmico]

You forgot Manakin.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bu2SkBK1mR4

[Gerardo]

One band that I have never heard mentioned here is Eversham. They are from Australia (I think) and they are very young. In 2011 they released a free EP online called 'In Dreams' that was fantastic and showed a very talented and confident young band. The EP (and apparently all their music) is all instrumental (imagine an all instrumental Porcupine Tree). Last year they released their self titled album to I-Tunes and they have developed their sound further. Here are some videos of their 'In Dreams' EP:


http://youtu.be/IG2DWjDRFSM


http://youtu.be/tdBvgcRTRHY


http://youtu.be/33goMz-zQHU

[Gerardo]

...and from their recently released to I-Tunes self-titled album:


http://youtu.be/tLsaOgw0Mt4


http://youtu.be/OSeqakVRXus

[Polypet]

Syd Arthur. Slightly Canterbury.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsuB4IXEJz8

nice track there, thanks for sharing it. i really liked the drum beat a lot.

very cool song :)

and yes to Bad Dog U also! nice to hear that song again. now i have to put the album on.

Kim

[grego]

Indian Summer
Cressida
Spring
Raw Material
Out of Focus
Cosmic Dealer
Quatermass
2066 & Then
Mushroom
Island
Circus(Swiss band)

[rickawakeman]

Staying with modern prog, man, I love me my 3rd Degree, from NJ. "Well-known" here of course, but elsewhere? Outside the NE corridor? (I know they played a ProgDay...and have been around for years) Saw them at the second MarProg fest in Ct. and loved their quirky style, picked up their Narrow-casting disc, which I really dug, but got even better with their "Great Divide."

[Liquid Tension]

Avant Garden - I wish they made more then one disc!
Bakerton Group - Basically this is Clutch without vocals

I didn't think anyone else knew about Bad Dog U until I came here...
Taal and Naikaku are more bands I like a lot that I don't hear much about...

[Mark P.]

Concorde Crash - from Quebec. Had member from Rouge Ciel. One and done. Heavy, pretty manic at times with some softer passages. Very few, mind you.

[polmico]

nice track there, thanks for sharing it. i really liked the drum beat a lot.

very cool song :)


One of my favs from 2012. Love that band. Harvest just signed them. Look for a new album this year.

[nosebone]

Indian Summer
Cressida
Spring
Raw Material
Out of Focus
Cosmic Dealer
Quatermass
2066 & Then
Mushroom
Island
Circus(Swiss band)

Since you went ancient I'll add:

Space Opera
Pazop
The Aggregation
Area
Aunt Mary
Baba Scholae
Bergendy
Blodwyn Pig
Brainchild
CMU
Cos
The Dog That Bit People
Dr. Dopo jam
Duello Madre

[mogrooves]

Off the top.....

Forever More
Neon Pearl
Ford Theatre
Fields
Ant Trip Ceremony
The Misunderstood
Yahowa 13
Creation
Group 1850
Andromeda
Hampton Grease Band
HP Lovecraft
Fifty Foot Hose
Mad River (first LP)
West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band

[JKL2000]

Smoke Fairies - A female folk/blues duo who write all their own material and play most of the music themselves, with guests sometimes. They were discovered by Jack White of The White Stripes, he helped them record their second album, then kind of dropped them

Their first full album, plus the two-disk version of an EP and a bunch of demos and stuff are the ones to get. The second album is good, but a little less folk - I'm hoping for their next album they'll go a bit more folk again.

They're cute, talented, and sound great and folky/proggy enough to my ears.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSx54a_kC08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F5VQnMYtw8&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLD3AA0E36EFE2A7F4

Oh, they toured with Bryan Ferry, and I guess Andy Newmark plays drums on their new record which is out in April.

[Progtopia]

Lots I don't know here. Cool.

I'm pretty sure when I originally started the thread that I was referring more to lesser-known in prog circles, so REALLY unknown in wider general circles. If that clarifies things.

[Dave (in MA)]

I'm not sure how well-known RMI are, but:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8pc3FNtnBk

...they're great.

[NogbadTheBad]

Indeed they are

[grego]

I forgot to mention Gnidrolog, Gryphon and Greenslade.

[Trane]

Indian Summer
Cressida
Spring
Raw Material
Out of Focus
Cosmic Dealer
Quatermass
2066 & Then
Mushroom
Island
Circus(Swiss band)


Since you went ancient I'll add:

Space Opera
Pazop
The Aggregation
Area
Aunt Mary
Baba Scholae
Bergendy
Blodwyn Pig
Brainchild
CMU
Cos
The Dog That Bit People
Dr. Dopo jam
Duello Madre


Off the top.....

Forever More
Neon Pearl
Ford Theatre
Fields
Ant Trip Ceremony
The Misunderstood
Yahowa 13
Creation
Group 1850
Andromeda
Hampton Grease Band
HP Lovecraft
Fifty Foot Hose
Mad River (first LP)
West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band

I was thinking that this thread was only reserved to "modern" bands (90's and younger), until finally these came. I'll come back and add a few later on (gotta run)

Edit: I see that my italicized choices didn't show in the quotes... they're numerous.

[Mythos]

AFT

Automatic Fine Tuning

I had that back in the 70's, instrumental with dual Leads as I recall

[Chain]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sULbadNKrV4

[bondegezou]

Firefly Burning, http://www.fireflyburning.co.uk/#23a/bandcamp

Henry

[NogbadTheBad]

Firefly Burning, http://www.fireflyburning.co.uk/#23a/bandcamp

Henry

Great album

[bondegezou]

Great album

Looks like their second will be out this year.

Henry

[arabicadabra]

I rank IZZ and A.C.T among my favorite bands of all, and they're pretty unknown. And I second whole-heartedly the 3rDegree mention. If the world heard George Dobbs.....

[Rune Blackwings]

I came across a band called Dreamland who did an album Tales from Area 51. Not the same as the metal band, I think.

As far as my favorite little known or unknown bands-I think I listed them a lot previously:
Ava Inferi
Moon Lay Hidden Beneath a Cloud
Zero Kama
Endura

[TheH]

Sorry for the following, but I needed a place to post the second known to exist Video
of the LEGENADRY "Manakin"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcuHk1eZ9uI

[emperorken]

No Name has released several fine albums. It's also the only prog band I know from Luxembourg.

[Rarebird]

No Name has released several fine albums. It's also the only prog band I know from Luxembourg.

I have two of them.

[Zalmoxe]

A little bit of chamber rock never killed anyone.

From US, B'Shnorkestra:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OvR-4eTqgI

From Argentina, La Maquina Cinematica


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khSy9VGb8zA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1HAV2QvHwg

[Zalmoxe]

Wow, to many to name them all. Some of my very favorites that seem to be almost totally unknown:

Manogurgeil (Finland)


Bill

This truly is a lost gem!

[NogbadTheBad]

From Argentina, La Maquina Cinematica



Love those guys, another great new Argentinian Chamber band are Karenautas


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhgqJNsWSgU

http://karenautas.bandcamp.com/album/recreo

[emperorken]

As long as we're in South America, here's a few gems from Brazil:

Blezqi Zatsaz- 2 albums, including the great "The Tide Turns"
Semente- one s/t album
Arion- one s/t album