Name your favorite bands that never get radio play but are always packed at their concerts (or not) that are from the last ten years. They can have albums pre or post 90s just have the majority of their career in the 90s. Let me know what you think on this subject. It seems to me most people mention really old bands or bands like Radiohead or Nirvana or bands that get a lot of attention as it is. One radio hit is ok so that it’s not TOO limited.
Erek
well, they’re not from the last ten years… they’ve long finished but I love 'em and want them back!
PIXIES!
love 'em to bits… love em. No one in mainstream shares their lunacy.
Here’s one that meets your criteria: Ben Folds Five.
Unfortunately, they too have, well, folded…
Another favourite of mine: Smashing Pumpkins…<sigh>
Sheesh, bands are doomed if I like them.
Of all the bands I’ve seen that constantly pack places, I don’t think Slayer has ever had a hit. I saw them for the first time in 1989, and as recently as this summer, and they always have a huge following. Most other metal band have at least one radio hit over the course of a long, successful career.
I don’t think you can really claim the Pixies, Ben Folds Five or Smashing Pumpkins didn’t get radio play or have hits!
Me, I’d go with Gene (even if a bit Smiths-lite), The Wedding Present and The Bluetones.
they did have -some- radio play… perhaps being the fan that I am, certainly not enough… I’ve never heard Ben Folds aired… did I mention I live in the UK?
With the exception of the Pixies the bands listed here have had multiple radio hits. Ben Folds Five was on the radio non-stop and Smashing Pumpkins has had at least 10 radio hits. I’m not big on the Pixies and I really dislike the other two.
Erek
Ah yes I did forget to mention that I live in the US. Ben Folds Five may well have never had a UK hit.
For me I’d have to go with Pig, though Pig did have a couple albums out in the 80s but the large part of his career was in the 90s. A lot of electronic bands would hit my list especially Hallucinogen that can pack a few thousand people in every time they play almost anywhere they play in the world. Speedy J who can fill a pretty big place in urban areas around the world. Placebo is great but they did have more than one hit I think so I guess that’s not applicable.
But if I have to name just one I’ll go with Pig.
Erek
Of course, Phish has been called, the most popular band you’ve never heard of.
Widespread Panic also meets the OP’s criteria.
NOFX
Subject to the difference between UK and US exposure, I’d say 16 Horsepower - almost never aired here at all, AFAIK, but can fill most London venues without even trying
At this point who doesn’t know of Phish? I have to say, that this band has been shoved down my throat more than any band that doesn’t have wide radio play. Apoptygma Berzerk is another band like that, but I kind of like them, as opposed to Phish.
Erek
For years and years I resisted Phish as being ridiculous hippie music. Then I made the damn fool mistake of actually hearing some of their music, which of course led to me finding I actually liked them. Oh well, I suppose I can always find other things to hate.
Has Tool ever had a hit? I think most radio sattions are too afraid to play them though. 
I definately remember seeing a Tool music video on mtv many years ago… couldn’t tell you about the radio
Exact same thing happened to me
I would put in my $.02 but much of my musical taste is either bizarre local bands or the type of electronic music that gets no widespread play in the US but it probably reasonably popular in europe
I think there were two singles off of ‘Seasons in the Abyss’ - ‘War Ensemble’ and ‘Seasons in the Abyss’. They got a bit of airplay on the kinds of stations that played pre-‘One’ Metallica songs, and the videos were shown a LOT on MTV.
Up here in Canada they get a fair amount of air time. A Vancouver station that I always listen to plays their stuff pretty regular. Muchmusic plays their videos on a semi-regular basis too. So their not all that obscure.
Speaking of scary, Rammstein hardly gets any air play (save for Du Hast a couple of years back), but everybody has heard of them.
I can’t turn the radio to either 97.1 or 102.1 in my area without hearing that song that makes me think of Tetris.
EELS…they got some airplay back in the mid 90s for “Novocain for the Soul” but thats about it.
Also, Placebo never gets any airplay whatsoever.
I don’t remember them getting played on MTV, and there were no stations in my area, except for collage radio that played them. Our local radio sucked then.