2014 Readers Poll: Most Underrated Band

December 30, 2014

When your favorite band is just on the brink of getting the widespread recognition you want them to have, it can be infinitely frustrating. You've probably found yourself imploring friends to listen to them and singing their praises loudly, just waiting for the moment when it clicks with everyone else. Here are the bands you think the world needed to show more love in 2014.

Issues

YOU SAY: “I don't think enough people realize that Issues is doing something really unique and special with their music. By blending the styles of each member, they create a sound that can make metalcore appeal to a pop fan. Yeah, they sound a little weird at first, but they're not like any other heavy band you'll hear. Their styles blend so well that you won't think twice about hearing electronic stuff and record scratching over heavy riffs and a pop-punk drumbeat. Tyler Carter's stop-at-nothing attitude doesn't hurt them, either. And as Alternative Press says, they're one of the bands who are the future of metalcore.”
–Livie – Naperville, IL

Runners-up:

Beartooth
YOU SAY: “Beartooth is one of the greatest up-and-coming bands on the market currently. The instrumentals are intriguing and powerful, while Caleb's voice unleashes so much raw emotion it's astounding. He also conveys a sense of relatability when coughing or taking deep breaths in their songs. And if his voice isn't relatable enough, the lyrics certainly are. They tackle real world personal issues like losing yourself and are even brave to acknowledge interpersonal atrocities like child abuse and oppression with such realism it can give you chills. Also, having seen them three times, I know these men can rock a house, between the encouraged chaos and crowd interaction, it's impossible to leave a show unsatisfied. They claim to not know what genre they fall under, and I believe that's simply because perfect isn't a genre”
–Kyle – Cape May, NJ

State Champs
YOU SAY: “People should really appreciate State Champs more because the guys are really down-to-earth. No matter what, whenever I see them, they all are happy to be where they are, happy to see our faces and to see us sing their lyrics back to them. They aren't money-hungry, they appreciate us coming out, supporting them. I met Derek, (vocals) and Ryan (bassist) when I saw them on the Pure Noise tour, and they were just happy to have met the lot of us, to have performed in front of us. When they hear about people like me who have been watching them grow as a band, they always become very appreciative. They always go out of their way to thank you a million times, because without us they wouldn't be where they are. They're honest so kind-hearted, and they just take every day as a gift. They're one of the few musicians I've watched grow over the years, and I witnessed firsthand that their personas haven't changed. They're still the same guys they were three years ago when I first came across them. Of course they've grown, of course their music has reached new people and their fan spectrum has grown past what I would have expected seeing, but I'm just proud to see them happy with what they have going for them.”
–Delaney Wolf – Toledo, OH