The most underrated rock band is ... according to you!

I asked the question, and Lipps Service fans answered. The choice might surprise you.

By overwhelming comments and responses — Lipps Service fans out there answered The Cult.

When I’ve asked the question to an artist like Ed Kowalczyk of Live, there were numerous responses in the interview video’s comment section saying The Cult is the top underrated band out there! And I agree. Let’s take a trip down memory lane, reminisce on the band’s early days, explore my relationship with the band and its music, and discuss how innovative its breakthrough record, Love, was and still is.

The Cult were big in their day, and they are still as good as ever and touring all around with the same passion, velocity, and energy.

I’ve been friendly with Ian Astbury for some years now, but we’ve grown closer more recently. The dynamic between him and Billy Duffy is what makes a great band. For many years, it’s what we’ve known— tumultuous bandmates like Keith and Mick, Slash and Axl, Joe Perry and Steven Tyler, in the end, seem to always make great art.

Let’s do a dive into The Cult’s catalog, and how hundreds of thousands of fans today are still just getting to know just how epic they are. Even Robert Plant recently came out to one of their London gigs to pay respect!

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Before forming The Cult with guitarist Billy Duffy, Ian was part of the similarly named group Southern Death Cult. I’ll admit, I’m not much of an expert on those days, but they did develop a devout cult (no pun intended) audience. They’ve been doing some select shows as this original incarnation, and it’s selling out all over.

The Cult was one of the first bands to merge goth, alt, hard rock, punk, and so many more genres. Some of their music has the ability to sound better and better as it ages, just like fine wine.

My real introduction to the band was the Love album, which was unlike anything I had heard before at that time. Songs like “Nirvana,” “Rain,” “Hollow Man,” and “Phoenix” made me feel like I was discovering a new genre of music. Not to mention how unique Billy Duffy’s guitar playing is, and, of course, what a megastar Ian Astbury is.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate just how great Ian Astbury is. Meshing the poetic inspiration of Jim Morrison, tribal influences, and rock ‘n’ roll grit, Astbury is a force to be reckoned with. He’s a true rock soldier with a voice that is still in top form. There are very few frontmen out there who were able to pave the way for so many to follow, and there’s no question Astbury’s one of them. Never wavering on authenticity and commitment to the art form, I urge you to see a Cult show while you can.

Singer Ian Astbury of the British band The Cult performs live on stage during a concert at the Huxleys on July 31, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Frank Hoensch/Redferns)

Lots of hard rock fans got acquainted with The Cult with the addition of Rick Rubin to the mix. The band’s iconic album Electric does not have a bad song, and I would argue that it’s a perfect record if you like rock ‘n’ roll. Tracks like “Wild Flower,” “Peace Dog,” and “Lil Devil” are standouts. In 1987, most bands were striving to sound like Poison, but The Cult was bringing the alt-hard and goth rock energy I needed.

1989 brought the Matt Sorum era of The Cult, and the band went into the straight hard rock direction. “Sun King,” “Fire Woman,” and “Edie,” are all iconic hard rock songs, but honestly, this era isn’t my favorite compared to Electric.

The Cult went on to make so many great albums. Many hidden gems are out there like “The Witch” and my personal favorite “Honey from a Knife.”

There is a reason that The Cult keeps getting mentioned all over my socials as the most underrated rock band of their generation. Give a listen to this playlist and more and let me know if you agree.

Let us know what you think.

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