As an adult, I found a couple of the bands that were popular among my friend circle were not popular bands at all. Operation Ivy (ska, precursor to Rancid) was the first one I found out about. Black Happy made the list in recent years. They're a regional band, and I think their work still holds up well
Album cover for Friendly Dog Salad
Black Happy was always a metal band with pop/happy lyrics. After a song featuring horns gained significant traction, they applied horns to an entire album. The result is an upbeat ska/metal that's both pleasant listening and sing-alonging
Leave a comment with any lesser-known bands from yesteryear we should listen to. Might help us all get through this isolation business