10 iconic bands who only released one album—so far
Have you ever discovered an artist who you really loved and proceeded to jam their entire discography into your earholes for a week straight? Sadly, the groups in this list are only responsible for producing one studio album as a group.
Don’t worry though: There are plenty of familiar faces who went on to produce similar sounds, but never again under these names.
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1. +44
Following blink-182’s brief hiatus in 2005, bassist Mark Hoppus recruited bandmate Travis Barker for a one album emo-punk project, +44. While it’s been about 13 years since its release, Hoppus didn’t rule out the possibility of a follow-up project during a Twitter Q&A in early 2017.
2. Box Car Racer
On the other end of the stage, blink-182 guitarist Tom DeLonge borrowed Travis Barker for his own one-album project, Box Car Racer. Aside from its heavier, darker sound, the album featured artists who would have never fit in a blink album such as Tim Armstrong of Rancid and Mark Hoppus of…oh.
3. Operation Ivy
Tim Armstrong was also part of another one-album wonder, credited as one of the first to merge punk and ska. A lot of Operation Ivy’s sound transferred over when Armstrong formed Rancid, but its fast pace and angsty lyrics stay true to the punk sound.
4. Sex Pistols
Arguably the most influential group on this list, the Sex Pistols stand strong as one of the main pioneers of the punk movement in the U.K. They also gave us John Lydon, responsible for some of the sassiest interviews ever.
5. The Germs
Another punk icon, The Germs were one of the many punk godfathers who went hard for one album before breaking up due to tragedy. Founding member Pat Smear struggled to find success going forward, contributing to powerhouse groups such as Nirvana and Foo Fighters.
6. Them Crooked Vultures
Speaking of Dave Grohl, he had his own brief project along with Josh Homme of Queens Of The Stone Age and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones. After their one album and brief tour, they went went on self-proclaimed hiatus, leaving the door cracked for more music in the future.
7. Mansionz
After collaborating numerous times, Mike Posner and blackbear blessed the world by bringing their beautiful voices together for a full album in 2017. We can only hope that this was more than a one-time project, and they don’t end up like the rest of the names on this list.
8. The Postal Service
Even though rumors of work on a second album from the side project of Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard were swirling around in 2010, the Postal Service never released anything. Any hope left for a follow-up was effectively dashed following their reunion tour, where it was announced that the band were permanently disbanding.
9. Larrikin Love
Folk-punk-reggae-bluegrass group Larrikin Love garnered a cult following throughout their brief two-year existence. They split up only a year after releasing their debut album, leaving us wondering what genre they would hit next.
10. Minor Threat
Despite countless singles, EPs and releases following their breakup, Minor Threat were only responsible for one studio album. Give these guys credit for popularizing the straight-edge scene, which your one straight-edge friend will definitely remind you of every time you see them.
