The Savage Animal 11.11.09: 20 Bands That Are HOF Bound

Posted by Mikey MiGo on 11.18.2009

Some of today’s biggest musical acts will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in a just a few short years. In this edition of The Savage Animal, 411mania’s Mikey MiGo takes a look at twenty active bands that could eventually make it into The Hall.


I've realized that there are a few things in life that I just can't accept and downright despise. In no particular order, here are the lamest things out there right now: flat billed hats, back-handed "peace signs" in pictures, a scarf with no coat, jean shorts worn by a male over 20, Billy Crystal, dancing with invisible glow sticks, Affliction shirts, vitamin water, the term "my boy/my girl", Nickelback, furry boots worn by anyone without wrestling tights, glitter, Tim Burton's recent work, non-NBC talk shows, and corn.

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TWENTY ACTIVE BANDS THAT ARE HALL OF FAME BOUND
"The 90's really ARE ‘old school' now!"
There's plenty of controversy and horrible snubs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Most musicians are honored to be nominated or inducted, but at the end of the day that's never the reason a musician does what they do. The awards and Hall of Fame isn't the be all-end all when it comes to music credibility. There's bands like Rush, Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden, The Cure, Genesis, and others who are much respected, much loved and would make many people's all time bests list. But this column isn't about these snub victims.

There are also some defunct bands that'll be shoe-in picks come their time. We can bet our asses that Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, N.W.A, Soundgarden, and Rage Against The Machine are all bands that WILL grace the hall with their glory. There are plenty of broken up bands that make it in and get that final applause and nod of respect. That's not where I'm going with this column either.

Today I want to look at bands that are still currently out there touring, recording, and providing their fans with new and fresh experiences. To be eligible for nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an act must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. There are plenty of great acts who will be fitting that criterion in the upcoming years.

Going with my list was a bit rough. I am not a fan of a handful of those who are listed, but I know they'll eventually get in. I didn't want to just go with the easy list of "Mikey MiGo's Hall of Fame", but rather a wider view. I'm not as versed in musicology as those who really vote on these things, but I do have my own opinions. There are some choices in the past that I've not been all that much a fan of, but know and respect the chosen artist's talents and reputation. I'm sure it'll be the same in the future.

We have to look for talent, fame, skill, influence, style, longevity, and basically the entire package of a band. You'll notice that each and every one of those criteria is very objective and opinion-based. So we're just going to have to be open minded and think outside our own heads and to a "what is most respected and loved" by all type of mindset.

Some of the upcoming years inductees seem pretty obvious, but once we get about ten or so years off things become a little iffy and more of flat out prediction. I'm sure in time, some of these people will either rise in acclaim or maybe even be forgotten, but as of now I'd say these 20 have a pretty damn good chance of getting in.

In order of their eligibility.

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Year Eligible: 2009
The 411: They're up for this upcoming Hall of Fame. I'd honestly be shocked if they didn't get in on their first nomination. They've been around forever and have consistently provided great hits and some pretty damn good albums. If for some crazy reason they don't get in this year they'll for sure make it within the next couple years.

Faith No More
Year Eligible: 2010
The 411: I could almost see Faith No More getting snubbed. They're influence on many rock genres have been secured and proclaimed by many. Their biggest hit "Epic" isn't even their best work, but it's what they're known for. Patton and company have all the talent in the world and there is a diehard fan base out there for them, but I don't know if they've reached that "rock legend" status that's required for a Hall of Fame band. It's a shame as they're one of my favorite acts on this list.

Public Enemy
Year Eligible: 2012
The 411: To many purists distress, hip hop has snuck its way into the Hall. While Public Enemy had the huge crossover hit with Anthrax, they're known for their political hip hop works. They've had some really big albums and hits and then a portion of stuff that fell under many people's radar. Their music still holds a punch. If someone like Fab Five Freddie can sneak in then a group like Public Enemy will knock the doors down.

Green Day
Year Eligible: 2014
The 411: I've never really gotten into Green Day, but I fully acknowledge their impact, growth, and popularity. They've managed to stay musically relevant for years and have seemed to only increase in popularity. They're often respected and praised by the major critics while dominating the charts.

Nine Inch Nails
Year Eligible: 2014
The 411: Yeah, supposedly "touring is over", but NIN isn't going anywhere. Oh yes, my favorite band of all time WILL eventually get in. I'd instantly want to see them in because of the talent, longevity, influence, and just overall package. The live performances have been the best I've personally seen, but Trent was never really one to be a showy rock-god type. But on the other hand, Trent has the respect of many music legends. Sadly, I think the committee is made up of long time suits. Trent has probably pissed them all off at one point in his artistic evolution. When they do I have to wonder who else besides Trent Reznor will accept the award. The band from the "Pretty Hate Machine" era is often overshadowed by the bad ass crew of Lohner, Finke, Vrenna, Clouser, and Reznor and even somewhat by the most recent line up. This is a fan-boy discussion for the future, I'm sure of it.

Pearl Jam
Year Eligible: 2016
The 411: This is a shoe-in. Pearl Jam embodies what the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is all about. They've stuck around forever and their classics have matured nicely. I've never been a die hard fan, but they've earned their spot for sure. I'll even go as far as saying that this will be one of the rare times when a band will get in on their first eligible year.

Stone Temple Pilots
Year Eligible: 2017
The 411: They've taken the baby steps to being a fully active act again so they get on the list. Many would say that the 90's was a very important musical decade, so to be a staple of this period says a lot about a band. There's Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and one other band that most folks will instantly go with. That third band is Stone Temple Pilots. STP were a staple of the 90's and put out some of the best upper tier rock songs of any era.

Radiohead
Year Eligible: 2017
The 411: Probably in the same boat as Nine Inch Nails. They have massive respect and acclaim from the industry people and critics. They were never really a "rock-god" type of band, but musically outstanding just about every time out.

Beck
Year Eligible: 2017
The 411: I doubt Beck would get in so early, but within time I don't see why not. He had a huge impact on the musical landscape for a while, but has been kind of quiet over the past decade or so.

Tool
Year Eligible: 2017
The 411: Along with Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead, Tool is the third and final band of what I consider my personal 90's trilogy. Tool is in a similar boat as the other two. They've evolved and have stuck around for an increasing diehard fan base, great albums, and a lot of critical acclaim. I could see them getting snubbed for a long time, but they definitely have their place in music history.

Dave Mathews Band
Year Eligible: 2018
The 411: I'm not a fan of "DMB". The only time I've ever enjoyed any of their music was in one rare drunken bar experience. Other than that, it's just not my cup of tea. That being said, millions of hemp wearing yuppy people love them some "Dave". They've proven their longevity and have had the chart and attendance numbers to back up their worthiness.

Outkast
Year Eligible: 2019
The 411: I'm sure other hip hop acts will be inducted before them, but Outkast belong in the hall. Their funk and groove style crosses over to the rock audience more times than not. There are those who'd be dumb enough to call them a one-hit wonder because of "Hey Ya!", but that's just silly. Their entire discography has been a roller coaster ride of the future. What Outkast does today will be done by everyone else in a few years. They are to hip hop what Prince was the rock. They belong in the Hall and I'm sure before it's said and done they'll get in there. It really rests on what they put out in the next decade or so, but it looks good.

Weezer
Year Eligible: 2019
The 411: This one is a big maybe. Weezer has put out some great music and have grown in popularity even after their big "Buddy Holly" period. They're on the right track, but needs one big resurgence to really secure a spot. Even more than Outkast, it rests on their next decade of work.

Korn
Year Eligible: 2019
The 411: Korn, while not as popular as they once were, are still a huge act. They basically pioneered the "nu-metal" movement (like it or not) and influenced a zillion bands in the process. Then again, I've always said that "Korn is to nu-metal as Motely Crue is to hair-metal". The Crue never got in, so that might also be true for Korn. On their current merit I could see them eventually getting nominated, but they'll need to reestablish their hard rock genre dominance somehow.

Foo Fighters
Year Eligible: 2020
The 411: It's crazy to think they won't be eligible for another eleven years, but it's already kind of safe to assume that Foo Fighters are shoe-in inductees. Call me crazy, but I like the body of work from Foo Fighters more than Nirvana. There's just a lot more maturity to it. They've provided an assload of hits in the decade and half they've been going. I don't see that stopping.

Jay Z
Year Eligible: 2020
The 411: He IS the Elvis of hip hop. He has become a figure head for the entire genre of music and has definitely made his impact on pop culture. He has released hit after hit and manages to stay on top of the game like a mafia boss. If this stays consistent then hova will get in without a problem.

Eminem
Year Eligible: 2021
The 411: Not a fan at all, but Eminem will get in. He's already been at the Hall to induct Run DMC last year so he wouldn't have any problem finding the venue. Eminem's impact on hip hop and it's crossover to mainstream America has been remarkable. He's managed to stay sill, controversial, and respected all at once. Unless he completely falls off, he's got a great shot. Even if he does, his chances are still decent.

Coldplay
Year Eligible: 2023
The 411: They've made a huge impact in a short time. I'm not a subscriber of their work, but they've taken a huge leap into the capability of selling out arenas in the same vein as a U2. They're off to a great start in that respect. There's a lot of potential for these guys.

Queens of the Stone Age
Year Eligible: 2023
The 411: A huge maybe. I'm a huge fan and it's hard to find many people who share my enthusiasm for them in my area. Then I see them at a concert or play some tracks and before you know it the unknowing listener is enjoying the hell out of the groove rock that is Queens and are all "whoa! I didn't realize that was them!" They're consistent and seem to be evolving. Their credibility is rising and with a few really huge albums they'll ease their way into the legendary status that's well within their sights.

The White Stripes
Year Eligible: 2024
The 411: It seems like forever away, but I'm 100% certain that The White Stripes will get into the Hall of Fame. Jack White is one of the best rock musicians alive today and with his lovely and talented sister Meg, the Whites have owned the first decade of this millennium. Unless Jack White permanently leaves the group for one of his many side projects, then there's nothing separating The Whites Stripes and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but mere time and patience.


Favoritism aside, who do you see being future Hall of Fame Shoe-ins?

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RANDOM VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Kickin' it old school with a timeless classic...
"No One Loves Me & Neither Do I" by Them Crooked Vultures (Live: 8/30/09 – Paris)

The 411: I recently checked out the "leaked" stuff of Them Crooked Vultures on YouTube. It's amazing shit. There's no way to sugar coat it or to use SAT vocab words for this. Flat out, it's amazing shit. I'm a huge fan of the three main ingredients in Zeppelin, Foos, and Queens. This IS what the definition of "super group" should be. You can check out the tunes on YouTube, but I wanted to go with an actual live video. Here we have the band rocking out to the opening track of their new album in Paris a few months ago. I love how fans have started sharing footage to cut together multicam performances. I hope this is a trend that continues.

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RANDOM MOVIE REVIEW IN 411 WORDS OR LESS
"500 DAYS OF SUMMER"
STARRING JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT & ZOOEY DESCHANEL

The 411: I remember all the buzz around this movie once it started hitting the festival circuit this past year and how I really wanted to see it. I liked the casting of Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel, the trailer, and honestly I'm just a sucker for a good dramatic indie rom-com. I finally see the movie and the illusion of what I hoped for was gone and replaced with a thin layer of disappointment. It's not a bad movie by any means. It's good, but it's not great. The story is just a bit too bland and the characters are just a bit too hip. The story is simple and relatable to anyone who's ever been in love, but it's just edited in a non-sequential way to distract us into thinking its special. The performance of Gordon-Levitt carries the movie. He's charming, likeable, and not too unrealistically sappy. The way they handle the ending of the movie is what separates this movie from others, but that's about it. Like I said, it's decent, but I honestly think if they had the 500 days in order it would have been a better movie. I recommend it if the trailer interests you, but if you're looking for something special then just wait for it to hit cable. Solid B-.

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RANDOM STUFF ON MY TV IN 411 WORDS OR LESS
THE WIRE (Seasons 1 and 2)
Holy shit. Did I miss a great series or what?! I've never really been into crime dramas. Over the years my parents have been big on a few and the constant airing of Law and Order totally bugged me. Over the past year or so, I've let my guard down and can admit to appreciating Law and Order every so often. Law and Order were the training wheels for the entertainment missile that The Wire has been. I'm only about half way through the five season series, but I can already tell that this IS one of the best shows of ALL TIME. Yes, of "All Time". I put it up there, just based on the two or so seasons I've seen, with my favorites like "Six Feet Under", "The Simpsons", and "MASH". The layers of characters, the endlessly building story, and the great acting make this show easy to watch for hours. The storylines are surprisingly more enthralling as the next and it's a pleasure to spend time with. If you've missed out on this show then you've REALLY missed out. This is merely my mid-way report. In a couple weeks when I finish the entire series, I'll surely go more in depth. But right now I'm sucked in to this gritty Baltimore world.

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WRESTLING WITH PILLOWS
Looking Out From the Inside.
RAW was good, but the two main event segments were GREAT. The Main Event was really nothing THAT special, but the interaction between Taker and Michaels and even Taker and Triple H is fresh and has that "this is epic" feel to it. It was short, sweet, and did the job. What made the match special was the crowd. The crowd was hot and it added a layer of electricity to the presentation.

The other main event segment was Orton and the newest member of the Main Event club KOFI KINGSTON! Since BEFORE he first debuted, I've been a mark for the guy. I checked out the now-gone promos of Kofi from his indy stuff on YouTube and was impressed. It's hard to believe that my first impressive impression of the guy was HIS MIC SKILLS when he's a very awesome wrestler. Seriously, look back to this section over the past couple years. I've said that Kofi and Morrison are the two best things about WWE right now and I still mean it. Morrison needs a Main Event rub ASAP. Basically what I'm saying is that Jericho and Morrison needs to happen.

I've always heard complaints about Michael Cole, but never agreed with them. He's not great, but he never annoyed me as much as others in the past. That is until this past Monday. Michael Cole is THE WORST announcer in the entire company. That includes the new guy on ECW and Josh Mathews. To me, Matt Stryker is the best commentator in the company. He's well versed in the company history, intelligent, and adds a lot of depth to things to give things way more meaning than they should have. He seemed a little nervous on RAW, but just about EVERY SINGLE TIME he had ANY reference Michael Cole would basically blow him off or flat out disagree and fill in the blank with his normal hyperbole bullshit. It was hard to listen to and insulting to anyone with an IQ higher than 17. Michael Cole should be working elsewhere. Give me the Stryker and Grish connection on ALL FOUR shows and I'll be a happy camper.

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That's all for this week. I've been racking my brain to figure out what we'll discuss next week. It's the day before "Thanksgiving", so that would be an easy "seasonal column", but I really don't want to go that route. It's been done and I'm sure will be more than once again. We'll see. Until next time… Have a Great Week!