A majority of these I didn't recognize, but I like, especially that Secret Service song

Wang Chung were lesser known in their native UK, but became major stars in North America: Between 1984 and 1987, they had a handful of US and Canadian Top 40 hits, the biggest of which was 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight' from 1986

Love and Rockets went totally unknown in their native UK and never broke the US chart until 1989's 'So Alive'.  Here in Canada, they gained success right from the start with their 1985 cover of the classic 'Ball of Confusion'

Lords of the New Church are definately obscure.  They were one hit wonders in Canada with the fantastic song 'Open Your Eyes'

Nacht Und Nebel had one hit in Canada with 'Ready to Dance' which reached the Top 50

XTC were cult stars in America, but they never had a major hit single there.  They had several popular hits in their native UK and even Canada.  'Making Plans For Nigel' still gets alot of radio play in Canada on stations that play classic hits

Matt Bianco didn't take off in America, but they did have a near Top 40 hit in Canada with 'Yeh Yeh'

I'm Only Shooting Love by Time Bandits was a popular dance club favourite here in Canada.  It's a song I have always loved :)

Thank You by Pale Fountains is also awesome.  I first heard it on a cheapie 80s CD that I bought at HMV.  It's one of the best ballads of the 80s

Here are a couple more suggestions if you want to add them to your list:

The Teardrop Explodes (featuring Julian Cope as lead singer)
The Wild Swans (Paul Simpson was the keyboardist for The Teardrop Explodes, then went on to sing lead for this group)

both of these bands are from Liverpool England

Laibach | Slovenia | avant-garde  /alt. rock | 79 - present | 


And in addition to some of the most off-the-wall covers of Sympathy for the Devil ever cut onto wax, they also did the entire Beatles' album Let It Be, the whole soundtrack to Jesus Christ Superstar, and then topped everything by bringing everyone from Holst's Mars, Bringer of War to Edwin Starr's War into the 21st century with NATO.  I've probably got the discography in the wrong order, but they do some incredible stuff.


Lords Of The New Church | UK | new wave  / goth rock | 81 - 88 |


And their cover of Madonna's Like a Virgin that was so far out there it was more of a parody than a cover.

Q-feel-

Dancing in Heaven-1982
Heroes never die-1984

And in addition to some of the most off-the-wall covers of Sympathy for the Devil ever cut onto wax, they also did the entire Beatles' album Let It Be, the whole soundtrack to Jesus Christ Superstar, and then topped everything by bringing everyone from Holst's Mars, Bringer of War to Edwin Starr's War into the 21st century with NATO.  I've probably got the discography in the wrong order, but they do some incredible stuff.


Laibach are the kings of off-the-wall, over-the-top covers. I couldn't find "Get Back", else I would've used that song.

They also were a big inspiration for bands like Rammstein.

Laibach are the kings of off-the-wall, over-the-top covers. I couldn't find "Get Back", else I would've used that song.


Yeah, absolutely nuts. My favorite from that album, however, was One After 909. The combination of the guttural vocals with the bowwa-chikka-wow-wow breakbeat/loop from Bomb the Bass' Beat Dis gave it my vote by a hair.

I wasn't able to find the source (well, it's obviously in the Bomb the Bass track, but where'd they get it?) of the beat/loop that I'm talking about, but I did find out that Bomb the Bass is going to have a new release out sometime this year, so at least my search wasn't a total loss!

Odd... I seem to recall a lot of people looking forward to this Part Two. :-\\




And where's Wayne?

I heard another good band on my digital cable Retroactive music channel this morning - Transvision Vamp out of England probably best known for their 1988 single
"Tell that Girl to Shut Up"

I heard another good band on my digital cable Retroactive music channel this morning - Transvision Vamp out of England probably best known for their 1988 single
"Tell that Girl to Shut Up"


I know Transvision Vamp, but not because of that particular song. The only time they hit Top 40 over here was with "I Want Your Love".

Bumping this one too...just in case.

Have you heard of the alt 80s British band The Wonder Stuff?

I know Transvision Vamp, but not because of that particular song. The only time they hit Top 40 over here was with "I Want Your Love".
Baby I Don't Care was another huge hit here in the U.K. Wendy James was pin up girl of the late 80's early 90's here too.

I'm not sure what's considered obscure in Europe, but here in the states these bands were practically unheard of: Japan, Ultravox, Visage, Kraftwerk, Blancmange... Nice List.

Good list.  Most of these bands I do not know.  I do know a few though.

Latin Quater - I prefer the reggae stylings of Radio Africa   
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF79sN_8g3E

Love And Rockets - So Alive was their only real hit in US. 
     I like No New Tale To Tell   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AFb3TUoxfo

Matia Bazar and Mecano - Great songs mentioned above.  Ti Siento is amazing. 
    Mecano has alot of hits in Spain / Latin America.

Scritti Politti - I like their (his, lol) entire Cupid and Psyche 85 CD.  Hits including Absolute, Perfect Way, Wood Beez, Hypnotise.
    Wood Beez.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMdf1onDkxA

The Specials - Your link is broken. However, I love Ghost Town! 
    Ghost Town.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTo7VHFvu6o

Stranglers - another great band.  I also enjoy Golden Brown and Get A Grip On Yourself
    Golden Brown.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIHBUGvAUMo

Talk Talk - one of my favorite 80s bands.  Most people only know "It's My Life" but their whole catalog is smooth and amazing.
    Give It Up.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_KK3-0HbBQ

You mentioned Nits before and introduced Nescio.  Good song and interesting band.   A couple other songs above that I never knew were Novo and Won Ton Ton.  I like these songs.   Ptose was kinda scary though.

Nice list.

Here are a few (from the UK) I didn't see listed but were pretty obscure (at least I thought I was the only one listening to them).

The Mighty Lemon Drops - I believe their biggest hit was "Like An Angel" in the UK. Their Happy Head album has got to be a good example of indie inspired, power-jangle rock of the mid 80's.

The Woodentops - "Giant" was a great album of the mid '80's, defies easy description. Folksy, oddball pop, perfect foil for the lot of 80's music at the time. They had some brief success with "Stop This Car" from Wooden Foot Cops on the Highway, but then they faded away.

That Petrol Emotion - had a small UK hit with "Big Decision". Their albums were all over the place, but had a lot of power to them. To be fair the members of the band were also from all over the place, Ireland, US and UK. I think they've just rejoined to tour...

Probably belongs in Part 1, but I'm gonna go with

Dave Howard Singers - Yon Yonson (1987), aka Yon Yonson meets Dr. R-R-Ruth

According to the website, it looks like my version was the one on this release, which matches up with something called Yon Yonson III.

So it's been 20 freaking years and I just today realized that I've probably never heard the original or first round of remixes.  (I can't imagine what it'd sound like with samples from radio personality and on-air sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and I'm not sure whether to be relieved or terrified...)

And obviously I had to bump part two as well! ::) :D ;)

The initial post has the same issues as in Part One: most links don't work anymore. Maybe I'll fix them, maybe I won't...