'80s Music: 10 Forgotten 80s Bands That Deserve More Recognition

Summary Stranger Things reignited '80s synth-pop nostalgia, bringing big hooks and neon back. Underrated '80s bands - Romeo Void, The Plimsouls, Wall of Voodoo and others - shaped pop and MTV. Many scored MTV or film hits but faded; now's the time to rediscover them on the turntable. With the final season of Stranger Things still fresh in the cultural bloodstream, the sound of the 1980s is everywhere again. Big synths and big hair. Loud neon leggings and louder, arena-sized hooks have returned to the rotation in spades, reminding people that the decade was a one-of-a-kind for creative risk-taking. How fun. While mega-acts like Def Leppard and Cyndi Lauper still dominate the conversation, the 1980s was also crowded with bands who never quite got the long-term recognition they deserved. Some had radio-ready singles that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any classic rock staple. Others built cult followings through new wave, post-punk, or underground rock scenes that helped shape what would come next. As pop culture once again pulls from the era for inspiration, these forgotten ’80s bands feel newly relevant. They were part of the same creative wave that made the decade iconic, even if history did not always give them their due. Now is the perfect time to put them back on the turntable. 10 Romeo Void Founded: 1979 After forming in 1979 at the San Francisco Art Institute, Romeo Void quickly began creating music that blended post-punk and new wave. During their time together, they produced three albums and an EP. Two songs from their body of work became defining factors of their career: "Never Say Never" and "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)." "Never Say Never" was a hit on MTV, which was significant for the band as the channel was just starting at the time. They were at the forefront of this brand-new concept, making them a memorable part of its rise. As for their other hit song, it broke into the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, making it a success. Their career was over by the mid-1980s, yet they accomplished a lot during their time together. 9 Giuffria Founded: 1981 Following his departure from the band Angels, keyboardist Gregg Giuffria formed a band that went by his own last name in the early '80s. He brought in accomplished musicians who had been part of the hard rock and metal community. Together, they began their quest to create the best possible music, focusing on the arena rock genre. Across the two albums, they had multiple songs reach the Billboard Hot 100, and both albums charted as well. Additionally, their music was featured in the 1985 spy film, Gotcha!. They also toured with legendary bands such as Deep Purple and Foreigner. After the key departures of their guitarist and bass guitarist, the band tried to make things work, but even working under Gene Simmons wasn't quite enough. 8 Haircut One Hundred Founded: 1980 The band Haircut One Hundred is a classic case of what could have been if they had stayed together. After releasing their debut album, Pelican West, in 1982, the band became a sensation. They reached the 31st spot on the Billboard 200, and in their native UK, the album was ranked number two. From this record came three major hits that made the band internationally recognized. Unfortunately, their lead singer left after their debut, which drastically changed things. The three songs were "Love Plus One," "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)," and "Fantastic Day." They also had a single release titled "Nobody's Fool" that helped them gain attention. Unfortunately, their lead singer left after their debut, which drastically changed things. They did release another album, but it wasn't quite the same. Thankfully, they have found their way back together over the years to celebrate the early triumphs they once had. 7 Burning Sensations Founded: 1982 One of the more interesting short-lived bands of the 1980s was Burning Sensations. They became well-known for their blend of calypso style and rock, further showcasing what was possible with new wave. One of their biggest tunes was their song "Belly of the Whale," which became a hit on MTV. They were another one of the young acts helping to cement the channel. Related 11 Music Videos That Define The MTV Generation The MTV Generation was exposed to countless videos on MTV, and while some may have been forgotten, there are a few that will, as they defined the era. Additionally, they had a huge opportunity when they covered the song "Pablo Picasso," originally performed by the Modern Lovers. Their version was included in both the movie and the soundtrack for 1984's Repo Man. Although they didn't stay together, their multiple achievements proved what the band was capable of, highlighting the strong early foundation they had built. 6 The Plimsouls Founded: 1978 When The Plimsouls burst onto the scene with their debut album in 1981, they were quickly recognized for their strong command of the power pop genre. They had multiple standout songs, including "Now," "Zero Hour," and "Women." The latter was a cover of the 1966 tune released by The Easybeats. It was an interesting take, showcasing the evolution of power pop over the years. Their biggest success came from their sophomore record when they released the song "A Million Miles Away." This tune not only charted but gained even more recognition after being featured in the 1983 film Valley Girl. During their time apart, this song still carried them as it was covered by the Goo Goo Dolls, with their version featured in 1994's Speed. Eventually, the band reunited for one more album but struggled to find their original success again. 5 Wall Of Voodoo Founded: 1977 Inspired by the rise of punk and new wave in the 1970s, Wall of Voodoo formed, creating their own unique style. In their early stages, the band didn't gain as much recognition as hoped, but their intriguing lyrics captured people's attention. Then, things changed when they released their sophomore record, which included the song "Mexican Radio." Related 10 Incredible Songs That Define 1970s Punk Rock There were many popular genres in the 1970s, but one of the most popular was punk rock, which can be defined by these 10 songs by legendary bands. For a time, the music video became a hit on MTV, giving the band some of their biggest exposure. Additionally, it was played on alternative radio and even reached the Top 60 of the Billboard Hot 100. They followed this with two more albums and a live recording as they called it quits. Over the years, some final tapes have been released, continuing their legacy. 4 Transvision Vamp Founded: 1986 From the start of the band, Transvision Vamp set out to do things their way. From their music to their image, they were determined to be authentic. At the tail end of the '80s, they were one of the international bands pushing forward the pop-rock genre. Within only a couple of years, the band had released their debut record, with their sophomore one following shortly thereafter. Their second album spawned one of their most well-known songs, "Baby I Don't Care." The band actually saw the most success from this in Australia, where it was one of the Top 40 best-selling albums in 1989. They carried their budding success into the '90s as they released a third album. This would ultimately mark their end, but lead singer Wendy James went on to pursue a solo career, and their bassist, Dave Parsons, was an original member of the band Bush. 3 Badlands Founded: 1988 There are plenty of well-known supergroups in the rock genre, but one that deserves more recognition is Badlands. The band was founded by former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee. He would then add former Black Sabbath singer Ray Gillen, along with former Surgical Steel bassist Greg Chaisson, and eventually KISS drummer Eric Singer. Related 10 Best Rock Supergroups Of All Time, Ranked Sometimes, the best thing that can happen in rock is members from already successful bands branching out to create the biggest supergroups ever. During their time together, two of their biggest songs were "Dreams in the Dark" and "Winter's Call." While both were played on MTV, "Winter's Call" specifically received a lot of attention for its Led Zeppelin feel. Sadly, this project ended after Gillen's death in 1993, but the band released a third and final album of demos in 1998. 2 Fine Young Cannibals Founded: 1984 Once Fine Young Cannibals were founded in 1984, they quickly got to work creating their self-titled debut record in 1985. From this, they showed the impact they could make on the pop-rock genre with their song "Johnny Come Home" and their cover of the 1968 song "Suspicious Minds." While this was great, the band would return with their sophomore record and more to show. Their second album would arrive in 1989, with them showcasing their ability to mix Motown soul and funk into their sound. The band would rise to the top of the music industry as it became the number one record on the Billboard 200. The band would rise to the top of the music industry as it became the number one record on the Billboard 200, backed by the Hot 100 number one song, "She Drives Me Crazy." After even having their cover of the Buzzcocks' "Ever Fallen In Love" featured in the film Something Wild, it seemed like nothing could stop them. However, they would disband in 1992, ending all of their momentum. 1 The Outfield Founded: 1984 Although The Outfield may not be talked about as much as some of their contemporaries from the 1980s, the band deserves a great deal of credit for what they were able to accomplish. First, they were able to create a hit debut album, which is no easy task. Play Deep contained the massive song "Your Love," an inescapable hit of the era. Related 10 Songs That Completely Define The 1980s Through many different genres, some of the biggest names ever in music put out hit songs that have come to define the decade of the 1980s. Additionally, the band was able to create ten records during their time together. This is a major accomplishment that even some of the most revered bands do not achieve. They remained persistent and never gave up trying to recreate the magic they had in the beginning. Sadly, after the death of guitarist John Spinks in 2014 and lead singer Tony Lewis in 2020, the band is over, but they should be remembered for everything they contributed.

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