“We’re rich, so let’s pay sell-out rockstars to form a SUPERGROUP!”
Seems like every other day I stumble across an over-the-top press release for some new hard rock/metal “supergroup” - touting that “lightning in a bottle” combination of rockstars who “have sold x million records combined”, and the ‘masterminds’ behind the project - suspiciously, the band members you’ve never heard of.
Case in point ... “Art Of Anarchy” - featuring Scott Weiland, Bumblefoot, and the bass player from Disturbed. Rounding out the lineup are the twin brothers Jon and Vince Votta ... ummmm, who???? Oh yeah... the guys with the money. Check out the press release:
“Poised to become one of the biggest new bands of 2015, Art Of Anarchy is redefining the rock supergroup. Meet the ‘megagroup’ — members are rock legends in their own right with over 150 million in sales. The band started out of an 18-year friendship between Bumblefoot and the Votta brothers, dating back to the local New York music scene. Art Of Anarchy have emerged as a band willing to eradicate musical borders in pursuit of something brilliant. It's all about songwriting and musicianship, which the band proudly displays on its self-titled debut album. The band also sees Weiland returning to his hard rock roots with a harder-edged sound than any of his previous efforts.”
Even funnier - one day later, Weiland issues this update:
“I just saw some press about a side-project called Art Of Anarchy that I worked on last year. I wrote and put my vocals down for these guys, and had fun doing a couple of videos too. We had a lot of fun. When they find their frontman to hit the road and play some dates, check them out. In the meantime, if you want to check out where I’m at right now, check out my band Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts.”
Wow! So he's out before it even begins. But hey! At least he got paid "had fun"!
I get it. It’s 2015. It’s harder than ever to earn a living as a professional musician (and maintain that rockstar lifestyle)!
Remember when ex-Dream Theater skinsman Mike Portnoy was a member of Adrenaline Mob? (a nu-metal outfit formed by guitarist Mike Orlando ... ummm, who? oh yeah... the guy with the money) -- until Portnoy hit his breaking point during a tour of the “shitholes of America”, jumping ship to the next in a queue of seemingly endless projects. I can’t blame him - nobody wants to be in their late-40s, schlepping it in a circa-’99 Ford Econoline, playing to half-full 150 person capacity dives - least of all one of the most high-profile rock drummers in the world.
It’s been fascinating to witness this trend over the last 4 or 5 years in the world of hard rock/metal. Everybody’s got a side project. Everybody’s got SEVERAL side projects! They’re all cross-pollinating into “supergroups”, throwing as much poop at the wall as possible, just to see what pays the bills sticks.
Even more amusing is the growing trend of no-name musicians with deep pockets, paying sell-out rockstars to play and sing over their instantly-forgettable riffs, believing all the while that worldwide rock stardom is just a Blabbermouth press release and Youtube teaser away.
