Before they were famous!

Bands that changed their sound, to become more commercially appealing!

Many bands can go through an entire career (be it long or relatively short) without achieving mainstream success.

Several thrive on being a cult act adored by some, but unknown to numerous others, operating on the fringes, and never giving in to commercialism. Kind of like a secret hand shake that only a selected few are privy to.

A great example of this aesthetic would be Fugazzi. Always refusing to sign for big record labels, allowing them to retain full control over their music. Not overcharging fans for concert tickets (Do you hear that Oasis?), and not selling any merchandise on tour. Charging only the amount necessary, for them to have a small profit margin. Tickets prices ranged from 5$ to upwards of a staggering 15$ per person. Also they would whenever possible avoid celebrated venues to play in places other people wouldn’t even dream of playing.

Violence was also politely, but firmly discouraged in their live shows (ejected fans would receive a 5$ refund voucher), avoiding the need to hire extra security, if any.

A band like Pearl Jam who achieved near messianic status with the release of the ubber popular first album Ten, would shun the popularity they achieved. When they released their second album titled VS initial pressings didn’t feature any reference to the band / album tittle. In some formats the album was called Five Against One (The original album tittle). Of Course this anti-commercial stance was only allowed by the record label because they were sure the avid fans would buy the release anyway.

Many Black Metal bands would achieve over-nigh success with profanity ridden t-shirts, others by having members stuck an inverted cross on their forehead like if it were a cattle prod.

But long before these gimmicks and stances were fruitful during the rise of the media age, several seventies bands struggled and plowed across the country. Playing as many concerts as they could, recording several albums along the way and not getting the recognition they so desperately strive for.

The following is a list of bands that had to / or chose to change their sound at the end on the seventies / beginning of the eighties, to start getting that commercial success, that was being difficult to attain.

REO Speedwagon

Formed in 1966 this US band from Illinois released 9 albums before achieving commercial success with the release of Hi-Infidelity in 1980.

Their sound was heavier than that of The Doobie Brothers and less bombastic / theatrical than Styx’s.

The music came across as working man’s band rock ‘n’ roll freight train, with stellar guitar and keyboard work. The vocals were also carefully crafted pieces of melody, perfect for sing-along.

The band’s seventies releases are shock-full of crowd-pleasing anthems, as good or even better than those featured on Hi-Infidelity.

Y&T (Yesterday & Today)

Formed in 1974 in Oakland, California and originally known as Yearterday And Today this band released two overlooked albums, the self-titled debut of 1974 and Struck Down in 1978.

Both records sport pedestrian album art (where is Hipgnosis when you need it?) but the band proves they are no slouches. When it pertains to composing great hard rock tunes, these guys, under the guidance of guitar wizard Dave Maniketti prove they are up to the task.

The first album is more rooted in seventies rock albeit still an interesting listening experience, but by the second release, the compositions are more refined and point the way towards the more successful eighties releases like Mean Streak. If only it had been produced by Ted Templeman, we could be here singing a different tune.

38 Special

Any band that features a sibling of a legendary musician can as easily have doors open for them, as they can have exceedingly high expectations bestow upon the band.

Featuring Donnie Van Zant (vocals, guitar), the younger brother of Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd fame, the band is rooted is southern rock (Obviously).

Competing with the big dogs like The Allmann Brothers Band, Skynyrd was rough. Also at the time bands like The Outlaws, Backfoot, Doc Holliday and Molly Hatchet were making waves on the same playing field.

Though not as imbued with the mystic of his brothers southern sound, the group recorded 2 interesting albums.

But with dwindling sales, and fame proving to be elusive, something had to me done. In 1979 Donnie was replaced on vocals by Don Barnes, and the band started a productive collaboration with Jim Peterik (Survivor).

While not discarding the Southern Rock influences from their overall sound, they would move towards AOR’s greener pastures.

April Wine

A popular hard rock act in their native Canada, since their inception in 1969, without much impact on international charts.

They released seven albums between 1971 and 1978 straddling the line between Hard Rock, AOR and Soft Rock.

Despite the fact that their Stand Back release from 1976, was a milestone in Canada, since it became the first domestic act to achieve platinum sales, international success had yet to become a reality.

Only with 1979’s aptly titled Harder…Faster would they achieve worldwide success.

Armed with punchier riffs, more risque lyrics and a general beefier, more world-weary attitude they hit their stride.

Even going as far as to record an extremely competent cover of King Crimson’s 21st Century Schizoid Man.

Conclusion:

Sometimes, bands have to hone and adapt their sound, to become more commercially appealing.

Is that a bad thing?

Is that selling out?

Probably, but if you are a musician, and want to make a living of it, you need to sell. Otherwise, you’ll only going to be recognized by your friends and family. And perhaps become a cult act in the process.

And you’ll have to find some other way to make a living.

Even within the confines of the Metal genre, one where the fans can be ruthless with a band they love, when they tweak their sound.

Metallica have done it, so has Paradise Lost and Anathema. To various degrees of fame and success. Alienating some fans but gaining many others in the process.

At the very least, you’ll get many varied and challenging releases to hear.

The first releases by the above mentioned acts, are very different from their more recent albums.

Maybe in Metallica’s case they’re trying too hard to get back to their glory days. But in my opinion, just end up sounding too clinical and contrived. Their not exactly the same teens full of piss ‘n’ vinegar.

Anyway you can find great music on a bands discography, be it the more successful, or their most obscure releases. Just don’t take everything at face value.

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