Going Solo.

[PeeShaw]

With the new album Julian Plenti is.....Skyscraper by Paul Banks, who is most known for being the lead singer of Interpol, being released, I started thinking about lead singers going solo. But before I made my decision, I wanted to see other peoples opinions. So, explosm, what do you think? Is going solo selfish? Justified? Do you think most singers do better solo or in a band?



Note - I know Paul Banks is still the lead singer of Interpol, so if anyone was going to say that, no need.

[Cyan]

Well, I haven't really followed many people going solo but Serj Tankian(From System of a Down) did a whole lot better solo.

[Abe Vigoda]

I think Ben Folds has gained more popularity after going solo.

[Tweek]

It depends on if the band was just a support for the lead or not.
I guess if you're doing all the creative work, being recognised under your own name would be nice. I prefer bands to solo artists though, I don't know why.

[Stealth Prawn]

John Frusciante does lots of solo work now. He's the guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. You can tell from his solo stuff that its not so much about being the center of attention, so much as exploring new kinds of music. That may not be the case for all musicians, but it most certainly is for him. Hopefully he doesn't let his solo career get in the way of RHCP though. He hasn't before, but still, he's apparently the only one 'not ready' to play again.

[Idioteque]

John Frusciante does lots of solo work now. He's the guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. You can tell from his solo stuff that its not so much about being the center of attention, so much as exploring new kinds of music. That may not be the case for all musicians, but it most certainly is for him. Hopefully he doesn't let his solo career get in the way of RHCP though. He hasn't before, but still, he's apparently the only one 'not ready' to play again.

They're getting back together in September/October by the way.

Thom Yorke has some pretty good solo stuff, as does Stephen Malkmus. Beyond that, I haven't much other good solo projects.

[Stealth Prawn]

They're getting back together in September/October by the way.

I heard, but Anthony, Flea, and Chad are all apparently ready to go back together right now, and John is the only one whose waiting. Plus there's the chance of him deciding to cancel. Regardless, I hope to be able to see them live when they get back together.

[Pitabread]

I heard, but Anthony, Flea, and Chad are all apparently ready to go back together right now, and John is the only one whose waiting. Plus there's the chance of him deciding to cancel. Regardless, I hope to be able to see them live when they get back together.

I would kill to see those guys live, thats definitely on the to-do list.


Albert Hammond Jr. (rhythm guitarist for The Strokes) did pretty well with his solo stuff so far, well enough to keep me waiting for another album. It's a pretty refreshing change from The Strokes, its very Beatles-esque.

I didn't really care for Serj's stuff much, I definitely liked System of a Down better.

EDIT: Oh, and he wasn't really part of a successful band beforehand as far as I know, but Brendan Benson's solo stuff is excellent. Can't wait for the new album on August 18th.

[WongSifu]

I'm a sucker for side projects. I don't see what would be the problem with it, really. It's just another creative outlet for musicians when they want to do something different (If they were in a band already, that is). I mean, I think that if they just happen to get more popular than the band, well that's not really their fault. Anyway, some side projects I really enjoy:

Anthony Green (from Circa Survive)
Dustin Kensrue (from Thrice)
Black Unicorn (Teppei Teranishi from Thrice...technically he hasn't actually released it yet, but I got tracks from their MySpace and PureVolume)
City and Colour (Dallas Green from Alexisonfire)
John Entwistle (from The Who)
The Postal Service (Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie)
Rivers Cuomo (from Weezer)
Thom Yorke (from Radiohead)
Thurston Moore (from Sonic Youth)

[Ziggy St. Valentine]

Side-projects are great, alot of the time you get to see a completely new side of creativity from the musician/s.

[PeeShaw]

Side-projects are great, alot of the time you get to see a completely new side of creativity from the musician/s.
But you don't find that sometimes it creates awkwardness between band members? And it seems like quite often bands produce better music before a singer goes solo than after.

[Ziggy St. Valentine]

But you don't find that sometimes it creates awkwardness between band members? And it seems like quite often bands produce better music before a singer goes solo than after.

I can't see why it would create awkwardness? It's just the musician expressing another creative outlet.

Also, not only singers go solo. Just pointing that out.

[Poopymo]

Roger waters solo was average.

[Allen]

Conor Oberst's solo career is great. His first album just sounds like Bright Eyes again. His new one is more different. I guess. Bright Eyes never had a rigidly defined sound. Plus, he was the only truly solid member, so it was pretty much already his solo project. I don't really get it. It's good stuff, nonetheless.

Elliott Smith was way better solo than he ever was in Heatmiser. The music of Heatmiser was rather average.