The Relatively Unknown Prog Bands Thread

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[Big Ears]

Wigwam are relatively unknown. So too are AFT.

[cledussnow]

Originally Posted by Big Ears

Wigwam are relatively unknown. So too are AFT.

I love Wigwam's "Hard and Horny" album.

I might add Xhol Caravan to the list of less known than Gentle Giant or Camel...

Manar is an Icelandic band who sing in their native tongue. Great music, very different.

[Big Ears]

^ It's good to meet another Wigwam fan. I recently got Tombstone Valentine by Wigwam, but I prefer the later mid-seventies albums (Lucky Golden Stripes, Dark Album, etc).

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I would go with go with Magma. Very interesting "zeuhl" band from France, they sing in their own made up language. Great stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/ESO6cNDjxpI

[Trollheart]

Anyone know Twelfth Night? From "Fact and fiction", here's "We are sane".

[Big Ears]

There was a very good band called AFT (Automatic Fine Tuning), whose album I don't think was ever released on CD.

[Big Ears]

Originally Posted by Big Ears

There was a very good band called AFT (Automatic Fine Tuning), whose album I don't think was ever released on CD.

I'm wrong, it was released on CD.

[Guybrush]

I've gone on about some of my favourite more obscure prog bands in other threads, but I'm not sure they've caught on around here so why not try again?

Those who are into Caravan or Camel should definitely check out Hatfield and the North whose 1974 debut (Self-titled) I rate higher than any of Caravan's or Camel's albums. It is a bit stranger and a little harder to get into, but it's oh so rewarding. They really did something unique and totally invented their own sound in a way that is rarely heard. I see most of their songs have been pulled off youtube so there's not much to choose from for a sample, but this was their first single which came out before their debut. It's not that representative of their music as a whole, but it's still a great song, I think. Fans of Caravan and Camel may recognize Richard Sinclair on vocals and bass.




After a while, the Hatfields broke up, but most of its members (minus Sinclair) got back together again in the excellent band National Health whose second album Of Queues and Cures (1977) is one of the finest prog records I know of.

Here's the opening track which has a bit of an intro coming in at first. Stick with it to reap your reward




See if the flute solo coming in here just after 3 minutes isn't just about the nicest flute solo you ever heard on a record.




There are a lot of obscure prog bands from Norway in the early 70s, but I'm not really that impressed with them. They may have a few good songs, but on the whole I find most of them to be a little lackluster. I'm more impressed with the Swedes who had bands like Samla Mammas Manna (well known in RIO circles) and Ragnarök (a little more obscure). Obscure prog bands in general are often a bit lackluster, I think, but I guess there's often a reason why they're obscure to start with.

Originally Posted by Andre J.

Rush
Yes
Dream Theater
ELP

Maybe you mistook this thread for the one about the most famous prog bands in history .. wanna add Pink Floyd to that list?