"that's pretty fringe" (no it isn't)

The other day I was walking to school and listening to a Chilean band (Los Prisioneros) on my mp3 player. A colleague went by in his car and stopped to give me a lift. He asked what I was listening to and I said that it's a Chilean pop/rock/something band from the 80s. He said "That's pretty fringe!"
Actually, Los Prisioneros were really famous in Chile. So yeah, they might be fringe on our tiny little island, but they're well-known in South America. It all depends on your perspective.

I think in Europe+UK and the US we know folk or "ethno" music from other parts of the world, but we don't know their rock, pop, hip hop etc, which is weird, given that these styles tie in more with the convergence of cultures due to globalization that we hear so much about. Are we ignoring those bands because they don't fit in with our ideas of exotic foreign countries? But on the other hand we take it for granted that the whole world will listen to European/American rock/pop etc.

I happened to speak a bit of Spanish. But I think even if you don't speak the language, you can still listen to the music.

Anyways, do you know any bands that are really famous in your country or in a country that you like, but that are not well-known in other countries.... or anything else that people would consider "fringe"? please post any you tube links

Los Prisioneros, Chile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNOdFQ-BN7o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAdfFXdfvmc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQwqQ5OCf84
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQgp2ujwF4s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z1kQ...eature=related

Kraken, metal from Colombia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu6pV7nL5zc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZU5Gw5wj88
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH6i6TlFqfM

Well personally I just need to know what "fringe" means. I'm from the U.S so it's not a commonly used word here or I just haven't heard of the word before. But in response I have heard a lot of foreign bands that I actually really like that my friends don't. I don't have any specific names though at the moment.

I think all he meant is that it's not very well-known

Oh... that would change what I was thinking then. But there is one Australian band that I really enjoy. I'm not sure of the name without my i-pod, but they sing a song called Blue Cascades. None of my friends know who they are or that song. I think for Australia they are a type of pop band maybe. But either way, they are "fringe" but really good.

I'm not sure, do you guys know Sarah Slean? If not, you should; she's wonderful. Like really. Really really. She has the most beautiful voice in the world, and it's not computer manipulated like most American singers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IytVz7xc9Nw