"Trees" by Marty Casey & Lovehammers

The Lovehammers are a modern rock band that got started in the mid-90s but couldn't score a major label deal until lead singer Marty Casey became the runner-up on the singing competition show called Rockstar: INXS. Remember this? When the remaining members of INXS held a contest to see who would become their new lead singer? J.D. Fortune won the gig, but it gave Marty Casey and his band great publicity.

In 2006, they released their one and only major label record as a self-titled effort that highlighted Casey's name (other releases are simply by Lovehammers). "Trees" had all the makings of a hit that could sustain the band, but I guess they were barking up the wrong one. The song failed to chart and the band went back to indie releases. Other worthy tracks include "Eyes Can't See" and "The Riddle."

"Star" by Love Nut

Love Nut is a little-known band that should have made it big in the post-grunge era of the mid-90s. These guys specialized in short and sweet pop rock tunes with just the right amount of grit, melody, and attitude.

"Star" comes from the 1996 record, "Bastards Of Melody." Worth tracking down, as is their follow-up, "Baltimucho." Lead singer and songwriter Andy Bopp would move on to front the power pop outfit known as The Myracle Brah and has released solo records, too.

"No New Tale To Tell" by Love and Rockets

The eclectic English band Love and Rockets was a mainstay on 120 Minutes in the 80s and early 90s. Daniel Ash (formerly of Bauhaus) and David J would trade lead vocal duties, and their music ran from straight rock and pop to weird techno and semi-industrial.

Before they crossed over into the mainstream in 1989 with their sexually charged smash, "So Alive," which went to #3, Love and Rockets were racking up fans with classic cuts like "Ball Of Confusion" and this one, "No New Tale To Tell." There is a world of lyrical difference between these tunes. We go from "You cannot go against nature because if you do, going against nature is part of nature, too" to "I feel I'm on top again baby, that's got everything to do with you...oo oo."

Be careful if you watch the video as these guys look like they are recruiting for a cult.

"Real Emotions" by Los Lonely Boys

With bundles of talent, you'd figure Los Lonely Boys would have amounted to more than a one-hit wonder, but their lone chart hit to date was 2004's "Heaven." The song went to #16 and won a Grammy for Pop Vocal Group. No surprise there - this trio of brothers craft amazing harmonies into their songs.

The sizzling tune "Real Emotions" comes from the same 2003 breakthrough album (self-titled). Hard to believe with songs like this and "Tell Me Why" that Los Lonely Boys couldn't maintain chart success.

"Going Nowhere" by Los Bravos

Imported from Spain, Los Bravos were a garage rock band that scored one big hit in the 60s with "Black Is Black," which peaked at #4 in 1966. The brave boys could not match this success, but they had some other great tunes up their sleeves. "Going Nowhere" kind of describes what happened to their music career, as the song only reached #91 (it deserved so much better!). They had one other chart appearance in 1968 when "Bring A Little Lovin'" stalled at #51.

"Smile" by Michael Lord

Michael Lord got his start in the gritty rock band Tattoo Rodeo in the early 90s but released his first (and only) solo record in 2004, entitled "Sway." The record is filled with melodic ballads with sweeping choruses that beg you to sing along.

"Smile" was chosen by Apple to be their iTUNES single of the week, but that didn't help put Michael Lord on the charts. Other highlights from this record include "Come To Me," "Spin," and "What Have You Got To Lose."

Lord has written songs for American Idol contestants and mostly produces work for other artists these days.

"Rainbow Man" by Looking Glass

Looking Glass was a pop rock band with a hint of soul hailing from New Jersey. They scored a #1 smash in 1972 with "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)," a song youngsters will recognize from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. They set a high bar that they were never able to reach again. Largely known today as a one-hit wonder, many people have forgotten their only other charting single, "Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne," which peaked at #33 in 1973.

In-between those songs, "Rainbow Man" is a gem that fell through the cracks. This tune should have given Looking Glass a second top 10 in my opinion. The song came from their sophomore (and final) album, "Subway Serenade." They disbanded shortly thereafter.