10 More Bands Who Had Huge Potential (But Wasted It)

10. Neutral Milk Hotel

As you may have deduced from its offbeat name, Neutral Milk Hotel were an indie band who were first around from 1989 to 1998.

In that time, they released two albums, On Avery Island and In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, neither of which were particularly successful upon their initial release. Everything would change for the band with the advent of one of the most powerful and divisive inventions in human history - the internet.

With the rise of the web in the late '90s and early 2000s, Neutral Milk Hotel’s music began to take off in very unexpected ways. They amassed a sizable cult following, which might seem like a good thing on paper, but would eventually lead to their downfall.

Lead singer Jeff Magnum (which is a sensational name) did not enjoy being famous. His band’s popularity sparked a severe downturn in his mental health, so he called for them to go on hiatus. This break would end up lasting for 15 years.

The band could have easily jumped on the bandwagon of their internet success, but who knows what toll that would have taken on them. Ultimately, they made the right call.