With songs that are catchy and fun, They Might Be Giants made a career out of signing carefree songs about seemingly the most random topics. With a quirky sense of humor, the Boston based band grew a sizable following from fans that made them one of the more popular Alternative bands in the pre-Grunge era. With the Grunge movement in the 90’s, it no longer seemed so “cool” to be into any Alt band that wasn’t moping or serious. Though they did achieve some level of success and maintain a solid fan base, their Hall chances are small, and when their most heard song is the theme from the TV show, Malcolm in the Middle, their chances seem to shrink even more.

Some bands seem so poised for a breakout that you find yourself counting the days until that happens. For a couple of years, musical pundits were predicting massive things for Evan Dando and his band the Lemonheads. They pointed to their catchy songs and Dando’s good looks and with the music industry looking for the next big Alternative thing, they graced music magazine covers and critics best of lists. Their rise to the top never happened, and though they recorded acclaimed music, it never reached the mass audience that was predicted for them. With their buzz long since gone, it is doubtful that the Hall may call for them in 2011 or anytime there after.

The last half of the 1980’s was very kind to Poison. They were one of the top Hair Metal bands selling out arenas world wide and dominating music television. Their music was fun party music mixed with some of the most successful power ballads of the era. Like many bands, drug abuse and infighting hampered their growth, but in the early 90’s “fun” music was not selling records anymore and Poison became synonymous with everything that was wrong with music from the 80’s. One of Poison’s biggest hits was preaching about having nothing but a good time, which was one of Rock and Roll’s original messages. They were not a deep band, but they never tried to be.

Known primarily as a band that Kurt Cobain once worshipped, Melvins were a Washington state based band that have been called by some as the true “Godfathers of Grunge”. Their music had a deliberately slow and plodding pace and their Godfather nickname does have some credence as many Grunge acts cited them as an influence. They were far from one dimensional; as they were a very experimental band whose entire catalogue shows depth. Still together, still touring and still recording, the Melvins are seemingly the last of their genre still together. Based on who they have influenced, they may have an outside shot for induction.