If the genre of Psychobilly ever gets an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there should be little doubt that the representative should be the Reverend Horton Heat. Putting a Punk ethos into Rockabilly, the good Reverend built a powerful and loyal audience and emerged as the distinct leader of the genre. Of course, the Rock and Roll Hall has never been known for its pursuit of other genres to celebrate.

 

The Bullet Points:
Eligible Since:
2017

Country of Origin:
U.S.A. (Dallas, Texas)

NIHOF’s Favorite Album:
Smoke ‘em if You Got ‘em (1992)

NIHOF’s Favorite Song:
Psychobilly Freakout (From Smoke ‘em if You Got ‘em, 1992)

Blues and Jazz were not generally meant to find an Alternative side, but Morphine was able to create music that was not thought of previously. There were no guitars in this alternative Blues world, but was built around horns and a musical style they called “low rock”. Stars on the College Rock scene, they ended prematurely due to the death of their front man, Mark Sandman in 1999.

 

The Bullet Points:
Eligible Since:
2017

Country of Origin:
U.S.A. (Worcester, Massachusetts)

NIHOF’s Favorite Album:
Yes (1995)

NIHOF’s Favorite Song:
Honey White (From Yes, 1995)

Although she did not achieve the level of commercial success that many musical pundits pegged for her, but with the sweet way Juliana Hatfield sang in her Indie Rock style, maybe her formula was never meant to be more than cute Indie darling. Regardless, Hatfield carved her place in the Alt World for a time in the mid 90’s and developed a loyal following.

 

The Bullet Points:
Eligible Since:
2017

Country of Origin:
U.S.A. (Wiscasset, Maine)

NIHOF’s Favorite Album:
Become What You Are (1993)

NIHOF’s Favorite Song:
What A Life (From Only Everything, 1995)

Despite their name, Blues was not exactly the staple genre of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. In fact, the Blues really played very little in the catalogue of music that the group did. Actually, trying to categorize this group was always difficult, as they bounced between varying places in the Alternative spectrum, though regardless of where they landed, they were always unique.