FBC BAND

Artist: FBC BAND

Title: Worth A Fortune       

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1980s

Songs: 11

Label: Self Released

Style: Melodic Hard Rock

Here we have an over-looked / flown under the radar underground rock obscurity from Indiana.  This band of five members played a killer melodic hard rock formula with excellent use of guitar and keyboards.  ‘Flying High’ cranks with melancholic choruses, stout keyboard work, prominent guitar riffing and touches of progressive flavors.  The guitar goes wild with aggressive solo work in ‘Wonder Why’. 

GANGSTER

Artist: GANGSTER

Title: Lies     

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1988

Songs: 8

Label: Balistidae Records

Style: AOR

Gangster was that prime example of the local rock band that plays at the local hotel club back in the 80’s and decides to release a private one off album of their accomplishments.  They were a female fronted foursome out of Royal Oak, MI who played competent and catchy original AOR rockers.  The spritely ‘See Me Through’ is an up-tempo rocker.  ‘Imagine’ is a cool synth infused rocker.

THUMB

Artist: THUMB

Title: Unbeknownst  

Format: 7” Vinyl EP  

Year: 1994

Songs: 4

Label: Thumbh Records

Style: Alternative Indie Rock

Another of the myriad of alternative indie rock bands brewing up in the early 90’s out of the hotbed musical community of Athens, GA.  Crunchy guitars and emotive vocals with sprinkles of indie angst.  Cool packaging and comes with clear vinyl. 

FLASH BOYANCY

Artist: FLASH BOYANCY

Title: Do The Ray

Format: 7” Vinyl EP

Year: 1980

Songs: 4

Label: Mental Health Records

Style: Minimal Electro

Excellent minimal electro bizarre-ness.

MYTH

Artist: MYTH  

Title: Mental Energy 

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1986

Songs: 9

Label: Age Records

Style: AOR

Myth was a local indie rock outfit from San Antonio, TX.  Heavy keyboard driven new wave AOR / synth rock was their formula.  Ample doses of keyboard pomp are found in the bouncy ‘Never Lonely’. ‘Secrets’ has a driving pulsating rhythm complete with processed drum machine work.  The pompous keys continue on ‘Caught In The Act’, but this time with creatively added sound effects.  Closer ‘Riviera’ is one of the better album cuts and has this cool vocoder vocal effect in the middle.

THE CLOUDS

Artist: THE CLOUDS

Title: Self Titled       

Format: 7” Vinyl EP

Year: 1983

Songs: 4

Label: Storm Records

Style: AOR

The Clouds were an indie rock band based out of Indianapolis, IN.  They pump out a cool hard rocker with angular guitar riffs on ‘Wacha Gunah Do’ and move into a more alternative new wave rocker with quirky lyrics on ‘I’ve Been Thinking’.  The crunchy, fuzzy and angular guitar work is ever present and quite excellent throughout. 

MARSHAL FIELDS

Artist: MARSHAL FIELDS    

Title: Self Titled

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1986

Songs: 7

Label: Macola Records

Style: New Wave Power Pop

Oakland, CA area five piece power pop new wave band that played Bay Area clubs in the mid-1980's. ‘Malaria Moon’ is a cool new wave rocker with nice guitar work and there’s catchy keyboard work in ‘Hurry Home’ and ‘If Its You’.

HOI POLLOI

Artist: HOI POLLOI

Title: Second Crack

Format: 7” Vinyl EP

Year: 1981

Songs: 4

Label: Self Released

Style: New Wave

Spiffed up Ann Arbor, Michigan new wave power pop foursome.