I might be a little behind, but I’ve noticed something lately. It’s the formation of mega bands. That’s not an official term, but I think it’s fitting. Members of already popular bands are getting together and creating supergroups (that is the official term, but I like mega band better). Packed with extreme awesomeness, these bands gather some of the greatest performers and create one mind blowing act. Supergroups have been around for years; I just never paid much attention to them, or even realized that they were comprised of already seasoned musicians.
Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, and John Paul Jones make up the supergroup known as Them Crooked Vultures
Them Crooked Vultures is the most recent supergroup to be gaining popularity. Made up of Dave Grohl, lead singer of the Foo-Fighters, John Paul Jones, bassist of legendary rock group Led Zeppelin, and Josh Homme, front man of Queens of the Stone Age, they are establishing themselves quite nicely in the music community. But honestly, who would criticize a band consisting of a member of Led Zeppelin? Their first single was “New Fang” , and it’s rockin’.
Tinted Windows is another group that caught my attention. They’ve been together for a couple of years and include James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins, Taylor Hanson of Hanson, Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne and Bun E. Carlos from Cheap Trick. It’s kind of an odd combination, a kid from Hanson in a group with a member of Cheap Trick? Taylor’s not so little anymore though, and their music is really good. I suggest “Messing With My Head.” Plus, part of the beauty of supergroups is the teaming up of artists who you would never expect to see together.
Jack White, originally of the White Stripes, can’t seem to get enough of forming bands. First it was The Raconteurs. He was the only big name of the group, but now he has moved on to a mega band. He formed The Dead Weather with, Alison Mosshart of the Kills, Jack Lawrence from the Raconteurs, and Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age. Their first single was “Die By The Drop.”
Of course, this business of swapping band members has been going on for awhile. Take for example Traveling Wilburys. They were one of the original mega bands, made up of George Harrison of The Beatles, Tom Petty of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra. To see all of those guys playing together had to be amazing.
This link is to a Wikipedia page with a list of supergroups since 1966. Supergroups In some cases the supergroups became more successful than the members’ previous bands.
-Laura Kelly (WOSU Intern)
