Exploring Rock's Hidden Gems - The power of B-Side tracks

Are You a True Rock Aficionado? Test your knowledge of rock’s greatest hidden gems! Easy (5 Questions) Which Beatles song was the B-side to “Paperback Writer”? A) Tomorrow Never Knows B) Rain C) Revolution D) I Am the Walrus What Queen B-side later became a stadium anthem, often played before “We Will Rock You”? A) Soul Brother B) Dragon Attack C) We Are the Champions D) Seven Seas of Rhye Which Nirvana track, originally a B-side to “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” became a fan favorite and was later included on Incesticide? A) Aneurysm B) Pennyroyal Tea C) Sappy D) Molly’s Lips What Rolling Stones song, now a blues-rock classic, was first released as the B-side to “Honky Tonk Women”? A) Sweet Virginia B) Wild Horses C) You Can’t Always Get What You Want D) Country Honk David Bowie’s eerie and experimental B-side, recorded during the Heroes sessions, was later appreciated for its atmospheric sound. What is it? A) Crystal Japan B) Velvet Goldmine C) Some Are D) Bring Me the Disco King Medium ...

Through the Struggle: The B-Sides and Deep Cuts of Modern Hard Rock How Drowning Pool, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Avenged Sevenfold, and Bullet for My Valentine Used Their Pain to Shape Rock Music Introduction: Hard Rock’s Emotional Core The 2000s were a defining era for alternative metal and hard rock. While the mainstream was shifting toward pop-punk and nu-metal, bands like Drowning Pool, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Avenged Sevenfold, and Bullet for My Valentine carved their own space with raw, emotional, and sometimes brutal honesty. What made these bands stand out wasn’t just their heavy riffs and aggressive vocals—it was the deep personal struggles embedded in their music. From mental health battles and addiction to grief and personal loss, their songs became anthems for those who felt unheard. While many of their biggest hits dominated rock radio, their B-sides and deep cuts often held the most unfiltered emotion and storytelling. The Sound of Pain & Resil...

  It’s All Been Done Before… But Has It? How Rock’s Hidden Gems Shaped Unexpected Genres Rock music has always borrowed from and inspired other genres, but what if its influence stretches further than we usually acknowledge? Everyone knows how blues led to rock, how punk emerged from garage rock, and how metal grew from hard rock’s heavy riffs. But what about rock’s impact on genres we don’t usually associate with it—Hi-NRG, rap, shoegaze, or even electronic music? And how did rock’s B-sides—those often-overlooked tracks—help shape new sounds? Let’s dig deeper into the echoes of rock music in places you might not expect. 1. Hi-NRG, Disco, and the Rock Connection Before disco and Hi-NRG took over dance floors, rock bands were already experimenting with orchestral arrangements, layered synths, and driving beats. Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and Queen, in particular, blurred the lines between rock and what would later evolve into high-energy dance music. ELO’s "Twilight" (1981...

S♡x, Dr♤gs & Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Highs, The Lows, and The Legends From trashed hotel rooms to near-death experiences, the rockstar lifestyle has been as legendary as the music itself. The mantra “Live fast, die young” wasn’t just a saying—it was a way of life for many rock legends. Some thrived in the chaos, others succumbed to it, and a few reinvented themselves along the way. This is the story of the highs, the lows, and the changing face of rock’s most notorious lifestyle. 1. The Allure of the Rockstar Life: The Birth of a Myth Before rock, jazz and blues musicians had their wild moments, but the 1960s and ‘70s took the concept of excess to a whole new level. Bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and The Who weren’t just musicians—they were gods among men, touring the world with an entourage of groupies, drugs, and all-night parties. Groupies & Fan Worship The term “groupie” gained traction in the late ‘60s, with women like Pamela Des Barres becoming famous for their c...

Beyond the Hits: 5 European B-Sides You Need to Hear When it comes to rock music, the B-side has always been a space for experimentation, raw energy, and hidden gems that sometimes rival or even surpass their A-side counterparts. While the UK gets a lot of attention for its legendary rock output, the rest of Europe has a deep well of overlooked B-sides that deserve recognition. Here are five must-hear tracks that prove the power of the B-side. 1. Can – "Turtles Have Short Legs" (Germany, 1971) Can, the pioneers of krautrock, were known for pushing the boundaries of rock with their hypnotic, experimental sound. "Turtles Have Short Legs" is one of their strangest outliers—a funky, offbeat track unlike anything else in their catalog. With its playful groove and absurdist lyrics, it’s a reminder that even an avant-garde band like Can could cut loose and have fun. Released as a B-side to "Halleluwah," it remains a cult favorite among fans of unconventional rock...

Shamrocks & Soundwaves: 7 Iconic Irish Rock Bands & Their Best B-Sides Ireland has gifted the world some of the most legendary rock bands, blending raw emotion, poetic lyricism, and rebellious energy. From anthemic stadium rock to post-punk grit, Irish artists have left their mark on rock history. In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, let’s raise a pint to seven iconic Irish rock bands—along with a hidden gem B-side for each. 1. Thin Lizzy – The Twin-Guitar Trailblazers Few bands defined 70s hard rock like Thin Lizzy. With Phil Lynott’s poetic storytelling and their signature dual-guitar attack, they paved the way for countless rock and metal acts. B-Side Magic: “Sitamoia” (1975) – A deep cut from the Wild One era, this bluesy, hard-hitting track showcases Lizzy’s raw power and Lynott’s charisma. 2. U2 – From Post-Punk Rebels to Stadium Icons Love them or hate them, U2's impact on rock is undeniable. Emerging from Dublin’s post-punk scene, they evolved into one of the biggest...

The Two Songbirds of Fleetwood Mac: Christine McVie & Stevie Nicks Fleetwood Mac’s magic wasn’t just in their chart-topping hits or the soap opera-like drama behind the scenes—it was in the dual brilliance of Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks. These two iconic women brought contrasting yet complementary energies to the band, shaping its sound and giving it emotional depth. Christine, the bluesy, grounded songwriter, had a gift for melody and warmth, while Stevie, the ethereal poet, spun mystical tales through her lyrics. Together, they created some of the most timeless music in rock history, including hidden gems and underrated B-sides that deserve more attention. Christine vs. Stevie: Two Styles, One Band Christine McVie: The band's melodic architect. Her smooth, blues-infused vocals and piano-driven songwriting gave Fleetwood Mac its rich, classic sound. Stevie Nicks: The mystical poet. With her haunting voice and cryptic lyrics, she added an element of mystery and storytellin...

What Could Have Been? Introduction: The Haunting Mystery of the 27 Club What if Jimi Hendrix had lived to see the rise of prog rock? Would Nirvana’s sound have evolved in the 2000s had Kurt Cobain survived? The 27 Club remains one of rock’s most haunting mysteries—talented musicians, all lost at 27, leaving behind a legacy of what could have been. The phenomenon of the 27 Club refers to a group of musicians, most of them rock icons, who tragically passed away at the age of 27. From Jimi Hendrix to Amy Winehouse, their early deaths left an indelible mark on rock history. Some were lost to addiction, others to mysterious circumstances, but all left behind groundbreaking music, including B-sides and deep cuts that hint at what might have been had they lived. 1. Jimi Hendrix: The Guitar God Who Never Stopped Experimenting B-Side Spotlight: “The Stars That Play with Laughing Sam’s Dice” (1967) A trippy, almost sci-fi Hendrix deep cut that showcased his love for sonic experimentation. What I...

  1. Introduction: Metal Meets History Rock and metal have always been about storytelling, but few bands do it through history quite like Iron Maiden and Sabaton. Despite being from different eras and genres, both bands have turned epic real-life events into legendary songs. This showdown explores how each band tells history differently—from Iron Maiden’s poetic, theatrical storytelling to Sabaton’s high-energy war anthems. 2. Round 1: The Pioneers (Iron Maiden’s Classic Approach) Iron Maiden’s style: More mythical and poetic—they often mix historical events with legend and metaphor. Examples: Alexander the Great – A progressive metal epic about the legendary conqueror. The Trooper – Inspired by the Charge of the Light Brigade, but written like a soldier’s perspective. Paschendale – A haunting, emotional retelling of WWI’s bloodiest battle. Musical Approach: Long, progressive song structures with intricate guitar work, often with story-driven intros. 3. Round 2: The Warriors (Sabat...

From Classic Legends to Modern Powerhouses Canada has long been a powerhouse in rock music, shaping genres from hard rock and folk-rock to progressive rock and alternative punk. While some of the biggest names—Neil Young, Rush, Steppenwolf—are known worldwide, there’s a rich undercurrent of B-sides and deep cuts that helped define the country’s sound. This journey through Canadian rock will explore iconic legends, hidden gems, and modern-day torchbearers, giving you a taste of both the well-known and the underrated. 1. The Early Legends – Hard Rock, Prog, and Folk Pioneers Before Canada became known for alternative rock and indie giants, it set the stage with some heavy-hitters in the '60s and '70s. Steppenwolf – The Hard Rock Rebels You can’t talk about Canadian rock without mentioning Steppenwolf. Though often associated with Los Angeles, frontman John Kay was born in East Germany but moved to Canada as a teenager. The band’s “Born to Be Wild” is credited with coining the ter...

Rock or Not? One Decade at a Time 🎸🤔 Rock has always evolved, bending and breaking its own rules. But where’s the line? Some bands embrace rock’s energy but flirt with other genres—do they still belong? This week, we’re diving into six decades of borderline rock bands, where the debate never ends. And because B-sides tell the real story, we’ll throw in one deep cut per band that might change your mind. 🎻⚡ 1970s – Electric Light Orchestra (ELO): Rock or Orchestral Pop? ELO fused classical music with rock, crafting symphonic anthems that felt epic but polished. While their biggest hits (“Mr. Blue Sky,” “Evil Woman”) had rock DNA, their orchestral arrangements made purists question: Were they too polished for rock? 🔥 Verdict: Rock... but with violins. 🎶 B-Side Gem: “Dreaming of 4000” – A heavy, riff-driven track that proves ELO could rock hard when they wanted to. 🇦🇺 1980s – INXS: New Wave or Rock Royalty? INXS straddled the line between new wave, pop, and rock, delivering stadium...