# One-hit wonder bands you saw live **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 22, 2003, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773 "2003-02-22T14:12:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Fingolfin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@Fingolfin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fingolfin)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/61 "2003-02-24T16:01:52Z")
Some chick I knew in HS dragged me to see **Mr. Mister** back in the late 80s. God that was one dreadful concert! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/62 "2003-02-24T16:22:29Z")
Not one-hit wonders, but back in the 1960s I saw **The Cowsills** (the originals for The Partridge Family) and **Herman’s Mermits** at the Steel Pier at Atlantic City. I saw **The Supremes** there, too. ---
**Author:** ![Ivar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ivar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ivar)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/63 "2003-02-24T17:58:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Laughing Lagomorph \* > \*\*Do you mean did they change their name from the Replacements to something else? Cause the answer to that is no, they broke up. I suppose they could get back together someday, but I am not holding my breath. Paul Westerberg seems set on a solo career. No, they can’t get back together, because Bob Stinson is dead. Yeah, they could get Slim Dunlap to play for them again or someone else, but really, Bob’s guitar work was too unique to be duplicated. And without that, it’s just ot the same. And why are they listed among one-hit wonders? I don’t remember any top 40 hits, though I do think they were one of the most influential bands of the 80’s. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/64 "2003-02-24T19:02:00Z")
Saw the Dead Milkmen (Punk Rock Girl) in convert several times. Pretty Poison, just before they had there one “just on the charts” hit. (Nighttime is the Righttime). ---
**Author:** ![tourbot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@tourbot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tourbot)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/65 "2003-02-24T19:12:36Z")
I saw Marshall Crenshaw (_Someday, Someway_) get booed off the stage opening for no-hit wonder Zebra in 1983. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/66 "2003-02-24T19:50:14Z")
Fuel Filter Jimmies Chicken Shack Mighty Mighty Bosstones Harvey Danger Save Ferris Semisonic Marcy Playground Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Cowboy Mouth Cracker Silverchair Sugar Ray Reel Big Fish Fiona Apple Joan Osborne Katrina and the Waves Timbuk 3 and literally a bazillion others. ---
**Author:** ![blainer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a698b9/32.png) [@blainer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blainer)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/67 "2003-02-24T22:04:25Z")
I saw EMF play in New York in late '90 or early '91. They played Unbelievable twice. Twice! The sad thing is that De La Soul played at the same place that night immediately after EMF. With your EMF ticket you could see them for $8. Kicking myself now for not taking advantage of that deal. ---
**Author:** ![coyasicanbe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bcef8e/32.png) [@coyasicanbe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coyasicanbe)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/68 "2003-02-24T22:31:31Z")
Flock of Seagulls (I Ran). The Fixx (Red Skies at Night). Same show as Flock of Seagulls; the Fixx headlined. Living Colour (Cult of Personality). Great show. Vernon Reid just ripped it up. Sir Mix a Lot (Baby’s Got Back). Actually saw him well before he hit it big. I saw him after “Posse On Broadway” hit in big in the Seattle area. The Romantics (What I Like About You). They actually played in the Kingdome outfield, for free, after a Mariners game. I’m not sure you can go much lower. Also saw C and C Music Factory (Things that Make You Go Hmmm…) after a Mariners game. Lord, was that bad. ---
**Author:** ![zuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9c0ed/32.png) [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/69 "2003-02-24T22:37:20Z")
I saw Blind Melon at the Cactus club, a few months before their hit “No Rain” propelled them to #1, and about a year before heroin killed them. Was a good show, more or less! ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/70 "2003-02-25T00:10:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jonathan Chance \* > \*\*Silverchair > \*\* NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Daniel’s been sick I tell you. Their hits are not yet done. [Silverchair](http://www.silverchairnet.com/) with the new stuff. Diorama won the best Rock Album ARIA Award and Silverchair won best group this year. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/71 "2003-02-25T01:09:01Z")
Sad when an Australian can’t face reality, isn’t it? I’ve seen Living Color, too. God, I think I saw everyone at some time or another. A misspent youth, clearly. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/72 "2003-02-25T02:12:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ivar \* > \*\*No, they can’t get back together, because Bob Stinson is dead. Yeah, they could get Slim Dunlap to play for them again or someone else, but really, Bob’s guitar work was too unique to be duplicated. And without that, it’s just ot the same. > > And why are they listed among one-hit wonders? I don’t remember any top 40 hits, though I do think they were one of the most influential bands of the 80’s. \*\* Well, the OP didn’t specify Top 40 hits. “I’ll be You” reached #51 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1989, and reached #1 on their Mainstream Rock Tracks, whatever that is, the same year. All according to [www.allmusic.com](http://www.allmusic.com) As for not being worth hearing w/out Bob Stinson, well, that’s your opinion. They had a lot of good stuff after he was thrown out of the band and I would go see a reunion of the Westerberg/Dunlop/T. Stinson/Mars lineup any day. It’s not like the Clash now that Joe Strummer is gone. THAT wouldn’t be the same. **Jonathan Chance** reminds me that I have seen the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. I don’t know if “The Impression that I Get” was a hit outside of the Boston area though. They are local faves. ---
**Author:** ![jessechgo25](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@jessechgo25](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jessechgo25)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/73 "2003-02-25T02:31:18Z")
60ft Dolls at Schubas for $5.00. Best damn $5.00 I ever spent what a shame they only put one CD out. ---
**Author:** ![GrandfatherTrout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f17d59/32.png) [@GrandfatherTrout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandfatherTrout)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/74 "2003-02-25T03:40:52Z")
Ooooh. I saw Animotion (“Obsession”) open for Howard Jones, way way back in the day. If memory serves, they sucked. Shocking. How they managed to become a one-hit wonder with _that_ as their one hit should make us all hang our heads in shame. Oh, and I also saw Des’Ree (“You Gotta Be”) open for Seal. One hit, three flowing hand gestures, seven songs, twenty-three minutes. ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/75 "2003-02-25T04:55:24Z")
I’ve seen a one-hit wonder cover band. “Wonderland”, they’re called, they have a website somewhere. It’s the only place I’ve ever heard Tommy Tutone, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, Nena, and Dexy’s Midnight Runners all in the same set. They’re pretty good, too, and the guitarist is much cuter than he looks in the photos. Yeah, I know it doesn’t count, but the last concert I was at before that was DOA, and I don’t think they ever had a hit. Stupid all-ages shows, the kids know they’re gonna be searched so they take all their drugs while they’re in line. Spent the whole time in the pit hoisting totally stoned 12 year olds up before they could get stomped after their stage dives. It was kind of funny when I tripped over one of the kids and the little guy tried to help me up. Full mosh pit, everybody right into it, the band is ON, and this 125lb guy is trying to help me get my 275lb self back upright. God, I miss those days. I spend less time at the emergency room now, but then was fun too. I’m sorry, what was the question? ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/76 "2003-02-25T23:29:18Z")
I saw **Goldfinger** twice, once opening for the Sex Pistols, and once in their own headlining show. As far as I know “Here in Your Bedroom” was their only hit. They never quite lived up to the hype of being the next Green Day/next Rancid. I saw **Scandal** opening for the Kinks and **Wang Chung** opening for the Cars. At the time, they were both one-hit wonders (“Goodbye to You” and “Dance Hall Days”, respectively), although they both went on to have a second hit about 2 years later. Add me to the list of people who saw **Living Color** (“Cult of Personality”). Saw them opening for the Rolling Stones. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/77 "2003-02-25T23:34:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DarkWriter \* > \*\*I saw Katrina and the Waves on the Mall in DC back in '85. \*\* Not a one-hit wonder. They had Walking on Sunshine, then they had Love Shine A Light become a hit after it won the Eurovision Song Contest. ---
**Author:** ![Bedrosian\_Bixby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@Bedrosian\_Bixby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bedrosian_Bixby)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/78 "2003-02-26T00:45:55Z")
I saw a double-bill featuring **Jesus Jones** (of “Right Here, Right Now” fame.) and **Ned’s Atomic Dustbin** (of “Grey Cell Green” fame.) at the Tower Theatre in Philly. Believe it or not is was a pretty impressive show. Especially, Neds…some asskicking dueling basses going on. I’ve also seen **Morrissey** a half dozen times…though he probably doesn’t count in this catagory…the only reason I mention him is that I can only think of one solo song that made it to US airplay…“The More You Ignore Me” …though “Boy Racer” might have made it…not sure. Going to countless local radio music festivels in the summer, I’ve seen too many one hit wonders to count…the usual suspects of 90’s music…Harvey Danger, Cherry Poppin Dadies and the like. Music festivals are great places to discover bands you might not have gone to see on other occasions. Discovered Soul Coughing at one and I’m a huge fan now. Same goes for Marah. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lodoen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b3f665/32.png) [@Jeff\_Lodoen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lodoen)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/79 "2003-02-26T01:58:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Evil Death \* > \*\*Not a one-hit wonder. They had Walking on Sunshine, then they had Love Shine A Light become a hit after it won the Eurovision Song Contest. \*\* If we bring in foreign hits we need to redefine One Hit Wonder. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773/80 "2003-02-26T02:10:06Z")
Aldo Nova (“Love Is Just A Fantasy”) 1982. Opening for Blue Oyster Cult. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-hit-wonder-bands-you-saw-live/156773.md?page=5)