Remember These? 20 Awesome 80s Bands You Probably Forgot

Top 20 ‘80s Band You Forgot Were Awesome

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for bands that dazzled the 1980s, but may have been underrated then or slipped into obscurity now. We’re only focusing on bands whose output and reception peaked at the time.

#20: Icon

The glam metal movement sold a fantasy of big-haired party animals. True to their name, Icon understood the image, but also how to bring the heavy sound. Originally named Schoolboys, the Arizona outfit matured the catchy frills of glam with more traditional or extreme momentum for their acclaimed 1984 debut. They weren’t entirely part of the oversaturated scene, though. So subsequent albums incorporated arena rock elements to a mixed reception. Eventually, personal priorities like frontman Stephen Clifford’s religious awakening prompted Icon to disband in 1990. Still, their cult following persists for the fiery musicianship that stood out in the golden age of glam metal. Icon reunited as a live act in 2008, and are looking to get back in the studio.

#19: Fine Young Cannibals

Eighties fans can’t get their fill of the Fine Young Cannibals’ cover of “Suspicious Minds” or the original classic “She Drives Me Crazy.” Some may forget that these “sophisti-pop” pioneers were hardly a two-hit wonder. FYC’s smartly composed cross between contemporary pop and classic R&B won their eponymous 1985 album excellent reviews. 1989’s “The Raw & the Cooked” was an even bigger hit, with audiences praising the addition of soul and new wave. The chart-topping Grammy nominee and Brit Award winner was packed with hot singles, yet the lead one became the band’s defining hit. FYC may have broken up over creative conflict just as they were picking up, but they’re endlessly worth looking back on.

#18: Oingo Boingo

The ‘80s sure didn’t forget about these L.A. new wavers. Oingo Boingo was punk-influenced, prolific and endlessly infectious, thanks to the charisma and eclectic songwriting of frontman Danny Elfman. Their live shows were the stuff of legend. And they contributed to many film and TV soundtracks, most notably the 1985 John Hughes comedy “Weird Science.” After the group broke up ten years later, Elfman developed his solo career as a score composer into one of the most celebrated in modern Hollywood. Many have said that this legacy has overshadowed that of his popular original project and its massive rotation of talented musicians. But there’s no arguing against Oingo Boingo being as “good for your soul” as ever.

#17: Hanoi Rocks

Where many hair metalheads obscured the genre’s glam rock roots, Hanoi Rocks brought them to the forefront. The Helsinki hellions had the funky glitz and clever songwriting that were all the rage in the ‘70s. But with punk overtones and a heavy metal heft, they broke every rule of mainstream and alternative trends at the time. Consequently, they had a mostly cult following, until tragedy made the headlines. In 1984, drummer Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley died in a car wreck involving an intoxicated Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe. This sadly became a prominent footnote in Hanoi Rocks’ legacy following their initial breakup shortly thereafter. Nonetheless, between the classics and some legendary reunions, there’s no leaving them out of the ‘80s glam mythos.

#16: XTC

Rising with the advent of new wave, this Swindon ensemble first gained cult and critical recognition with three albums in the ‘70s. By the ‘80s, though, the underground sound that XTC helped develop dominated the mainstream. Even then, their pop shift stood out on continued punk elements and progressive hooks. XTC won consistent acclaim and delivered many hits, culminating in the controversial “Dear God” in 1987. Along the way, a bad record deal with Virgin left the band in financial straits. Their labor strike in ‘92 proved ruinous for their popularity. But by the time they quietly disbanded in 2006, XTC were an ‘80s cult favorite that remains unlike any pop you've heard.

#15: Japan

Although they released more studio albums in the ‘70s, the British group Japan was made for the ‘80s. That was when their synth-new wave style was most commercially successful, particularly with 1982’s “Ghosts.” Japan still managed to find new and exciting ways to compose such music. But in 1982, internal conflicts collapsed Japan at the height of their status. It's just as well, as they were facing accusations of capitalizing on the “New Romantic” scene that they in fact influenced and rejected. Perhaps too highbrow for pop appeal, the band did return to the UK Top 40 when they briefly reunited under the name Rain Tree Crow. Japan has since maintained its cult following as architects and a highlight of an infectious style.

#14: The Time

Though Morris Day is credited alongside Prince with developing Minneapolis’s eclectic musical signature in the ‘80s, The Time is a force all their own. The thrilling fusion of funk, soul and rock was rivaled only by live shows exploding with elaborate musicianship and dance. The Time is considered the most critically and commercially successful act in Prince’s creative community. This proved to be a double-edged sword. Day’s creative input and legacy were overshadowed by his late friend, whose estate even tried to bar Day from using his own band’s name in 2022. He settled the legal dispute and continues to rock under the banner of Morris Day and the Time. Of course, the catalogue of their heyday is simply timeless.

#13: Big Country

The whole world was into “In a Big Country” when the similarly named band blew up the charts in 1983. They were actually a local phenomenon, particularly in their native Scotland. Big Country’s unique fusion of new wave, alternative and Celtic folk yielded enchanting ballads that ran the gamut from heavy to heartwrenching. Stuart Adamson's lyrical themes included heritage, class conflict, war, and more. The band’s harder material in the ‘90s may not have drawn as much attention, but fans embraced their experimental and iconoclastic flair up to their breakup following Adamson’s death in 2001. Formally reuniting in 2013, Big Country continues to provoke nostalgia for a time long before them, while remaining as relevant as ever.

#12: Hüsker Dü

The ‘80s sound admittedly wasn't for everyone. It sure didn't appeal to Hüsker Dü, though the power trio from St. Paul, Minnesota didn't just favor the rebellious punk of the ‘70s. They were looking ahead with a melodic yet experimental twist on the budding hardcore scene. This style would come to be known as post-hardcore, and would have a key influence on the alternative rock explosion of the ‘90s. Alas, Hüsker Dü missed out, having broken up in ‘88 due to tension and struggles with substance use disorder. The cult sensation’s legacy can be found in their famous disciples and renowned solo work, but the music itself demands to be heard by punk and alternative fans.

#11: Cocteau Twins

If there was any question about the artistic value of ‘80s music’s technical and stylistic trends, Cocteau Twins put that to bed. The Scottish alt-rockers’ haunting aesthetic was led by Elizabeth Fraser’s ethereal vocals and Robin Guthrie’s groundbreaking ambient engineering. This renowned artistry elevated contemporary gothic rock and established the niche genre aptly named “dream pop.” And yet, nobody could sound quite like Cocteau Twins. Unfortunately, the band fell apart with Fraser and Guthrie’s relationship in 1997. Things ended on such bitter terms that the former romantic couple refused to work together decades later. Although they've independently had great success in several areas of the music industry, Cocteau Twins remain an entrancing gem.

#10: ABC

Synth pop was a big business back in the 1980s, with Britain’s ABC existing, in our minds, as one of the genre’s unsung heroes. The arrangements here sound “bigger” than many of ABC’s other contemporaries, lending songs like “Be Near Me” an impressive amount of orchestral “oomph.” Elsewhere, lead vocalist Martin Fry possesses a strong voice, one capable of delivering big, strong hooks while also containing a proper amount of sensitivity. The ‘80s, like any other decade, were full of one-hit wonders, but we feel like ABC’s track record speaks for itself: these guys were a cut above the rest.

#9: A Flock of Seagulls

It’s quite unfair that this pioneering English act from the new wave movement is known more for its assortment of hairstyles than the quality of its music. After all, the discography of A Flock of Seagulls is actually quite full of interesting tunes, for those willing to do a little digging. Oh sure, “I Ran (So Far Away)” is still a defining tune from the 1980s, but A Flock of Seagulls’ albums also retained deep cuts that showcased their musicality. Tunes like “Space-Age Love Song” and “The More You Live, The More You Love” demonstrated the excellent synth and guitar interplay within the band’s songwriting, and helped further distance A Flock of Seagulls from more fashion-focused acts of the day.

#8: The Fixx

It’s not by accident that this list contains a startling amount of musical talent from the United Kingdom. There was something of a second British Invasion during the 1980s, as legions of new wave, post-punk and heavy metal acts emerged from that area to take over the rest of the world. The Fixx weren’t so easily pigeonholed into a genre, however, and this both helped and hurt them over the years. On one hand, they were just a solid rock act, notching hit singles such as “One Thing Leads to Another.” On the other hand, there wasn’t really a “gimmick” upon which to sell The Fixx overseas. The music speaks for itself, essentially, and we feel the band was actually a bit underrated.

#7: Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark

Now, here was a band whose choice of name definitely helped define their career. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are probably better known by the acronym OMD, but this defiantly unhip electronic music duo achieved quite a bit of success during their career. That said, we still feel that there’s gold to be mined beyond the obvious OMD hits like “If You Leave.” Band members Andy McClusky and Paul Humphreys knew how to make bass, synth, percussion and voice sound BIG as hell, boasting hooks large enough to snag a whale. The music of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark definitely sounds “of its time,” but we don’t think that’s a bad thing whatsoever. In fact, that’s exactly why we love them.

#6: L.A. Guns

The commercial landscape of 1980s heavy metal, like any musical movement, possessed a myriad of subgenres. Not all glam was made equal, to be sure, with L.A. Guns existing within that special little microcosm known as “sleaze metal.” This was a rough ‘n ready rock band who, alongside another group called Hollywood Rose, resulted in the formation of superstars Guns ‘N Roses. L.A. Guns did achieve chart success with the single, “The Ballad of Jayne” and put out a lot of music in the 90s, but we honestly prefer the less polished nature of their 1988 debut. That record contained rip-roaring jams like “No Mercy,” “Sex Action” and “One More Reason.” It was a perfect midway point between dirty looks and big hooks.

#5: Savatage

We know that The Trans-Siberian Orchestra are a big deal around the holidays, but there’s also a connection to their metallic pedigree that reaches to the 1980s. We’re referring to Savatage, a group founded by brothers Criss and Jon Oliva. The former’s generational skills as a guitar talent were tragically cut short by a drunk driver in 1993, but Savatage’s discography with him remains indispensable for metalheads who appreciate influences from classical music. The band continued along after both Criss Oliva’s death, as well as Jon Oliva’s departure from lead vocals, with guitarist Al Pitrelli eventually collaborating with Jon and composer Paul O’Neill on TSO. For our money, though, LPs like “Gutter Ballet” and “Hall of the Mountain King” are worth their weight in gold.

#4: Ultravox

New Wave never sounded so dramatic. Ultravox seemed to have studied hard during the “how to write a great chorus” classes while in songwriting school. How else could one explain the epic grandeur of hits like “The Voice,” “Hymn” or “Dancing with Tears in My Eyes?” The latter in particular highlights how Midge Ure’s lead vocals take Ultravox to another level, as he soars with stately, insistent grandeur. Ultravox crafted 1980s pop as high art, a melodically satisfying approach with impeccable hooks and note-perfection execution. The band may have experimented a bit during the 1970s, but it was the ‘80s where Ultravox’s rise to musical prominence was assured.

#3: The Chameleons [UK]

Call it “shoegaze” or maybe post-punk, but there was definitely something special to the sound of The Chameleons UK. This English group’s reverb-soaked journey into atmospheric rock had a bit of a malevolent streak. Specifically, albums such as “Script of the Bridge” would go on to influence heavier metal acts such as France’s Alcest. Groups that would be inspired by The Chameleons’ ability to mope and rock in equal measure. Songs such as “Don’t Fall” and “Up the Down Escalator” meld brooding, resonant vocals with edgy guitar licks and this feeling of aggression bubbling just below the surface. It’s brilliant stuff.

#2: The Church

Some bands just exude an effortless amount of cool. Australia’s The Church are definitely one of those bands. It’s difficult to pinpoint anything specific about their sound, other than it feels dreamlike and resplendent. They create a gorgeous tapestry of melodies and atmosphere that weave their web in a manner that doesn’t quite feel like goth, nor traditional rock. Instead, The Church takes listeners upon a journey with songs such as their definitive hit, “Under the Milky Way.” Truth be told, however, there’s a lot to love about their discography, which has put out lots more material since their breakout decade. Whichever era true fans prefer, The Church is just a great band.

#1: The Cult

They were a band able to continually reinvent themselves, while also never forgetting how to ROCK. The Cult started out in full goth mode under the moniker of Southern Death Cult, before the mid-80s saw a shift into full arena rock sturm und drang. Truth be told, we love it all, including the work The Cult did during the nineties and beyond. That said, there was just something special about that holy trinity of albums between 1985 and 1989: “Love,” “Electric” and “Sonic Temple.” The latter in particular saw anthems like “Fire Woman” send The Cult into the stratosphere. Frontman Ian Astbury howls like a man possessed, while embodying a dichotomous personality stresses shamanism and hedonism in equal measure. And we’re. Not. Worthy.

What are your favorite ‘80s bands to continue spreading the word about? Jam with us in the comments.