One of the most important bands of the BritPop era, Suede was a pivotal reason that the British music scene moved back towards guitar driven songs as opposed to the heavily distorted shoegazing sound that dominated British Alternative in the years previous. Suede was one of those few bands that lived up to the hype that the critics bestowed on them, and if there is any criticism on them (and this is a big one) it is that they did not crash down the doors in the United States. That fact makes it exceptionally difficult for them to enter the hallowed halls in Cleveland. 

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)