In case you didn't know, Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Tony Allen (Fela Kuti) are in a band called Rocket Juice and the Moon. Great, right? Gets better. Today they announced that their currently untitled debut album will be released March 12 via Honest Jon’s (a label which Albarn co-runs). Could they be searching for another creative outlet to channel their endless amount of energy and love of music at its core? Learning about each other and what it means to just BE? Or is it all just a money grab? Here’s what Tony Allen had to say about the project via MOJO Magazine:
“It is all funk. Groove music, music that makes you dance. The audience don't want to sit and listen, they want to move their bodies.” Describing the band's recording process, he added, “We don't say, what are we going to do? We say let's go for it, and we all play at once... It's a question of being free of mind.”
Thanks Tony! Glad the crazy-sounding method works for you guys. In honor of this meeting of the minds and their ridiculous name, we’ve decided to create a top eight list of the supergroups with the nuttiest titles. Here they are, in no particular order:
Chickenfoot
Members: Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Joe Satriani, and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers).
They’ve released two albums, Chickenfoot and the fall 2011 release Chickenfoot II which has gone Gold in Canada and the US. Why did this happen? Don’t get me wrong, all of these men are excellent musicians but together as Chickenfoot? The result is about as good as a song called "Oh Yeah" recorded in the 21st century can be. Try not to cringe when Sammy Hagar sings "I wanna be your hoochie coochie man".
Oysterhead
Members: Trey Anastasio (Phish), Les Claypool (Primus) and Stewart Copeland (The Police).
Living creature plus a body part seems to be a reoccurring theme within the supergroup fraternity. I bought The Grand Pecking Order when I went through my jam band phase (WIILLLLSOOON) and needless to say I was blown away. But again, what are these artists doing with each other? Stewart Copeland can handle Trey Anastasio and Les Claypool but not Sting?! Come on!
Monsters of Folk
Members: Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, (Bright Eyes), Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and M. Ward.
Now this is a heavy supergroup right here. The track practically smells of whiskey. Pulling together some of the finest artists of the indie/alternative/folk scenes of the early-mid 2000’s worked well for these gentlemen. Their self-titled release in 2009 hit #1 on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers and proved that some supergroups are meant to be.
Them Crooked Vultures
Members: Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age).
Unable to give the world a Led Zeppelin reunion, John Paul Jones opted instead to record and tour with two of the rock world's foremost rock-men. This must have been a dream come true for Grohl who has noted many a time that Led Zeppelin is one of his greatest influences. Them Crooked Vultures took home a Grammy last year for Best Hard Rock Performance of “New Fang” and there’s word of a second album currently in the works. That said, most of their fans would probably have preferred to hear "Stairway to Heaven" live.
Tinted Windows
Members: Taylor Hanson (Hanson), James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins), Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick).
Really though, how does anyone get along in these groups? When you've got a massive ego like the drummer from Cheap Trick in your band, you're asking for trouble. His rider probably weighs as much as a phone book. And what about the members of the artists' other projects? Are they jealous? Are the other two Hansons plotting to kill Taylor? THIS IS SERIOUS!
Atoms for Peace
Members: Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronker, and Mauro Refosco (David Byrne).
Flea made his first supergroup appearance with this lot back in 2009, surprising everyone by not bursting into "Dani California" midsong. Thom Yorke is great and all but playing in a real band with your producer? Don’t shit where you eat Thom.
SuperHeavy
Members: Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones), A.R. Rahman, Joss Stone, Damian Marley, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics).
Genres collide in SuperHeavy with a mix of reggae, Indian music, and soul all playing a part in its production. Apparently the name of the group is inspired by Muhammad Ali and features a song with Jagger singing in Sanskrit. Everyone's so worldly in 2012!
Child Rebel Soldier
Members: Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell Williams.
Who is the child? Who is the rebel? Who is the soldier? Is it all three? Is it inside ALL OF US? These three began collaborating together in 2007 and only two singles have come of it including “Don’t Stop!” which Kanye released during his G.O.O.D. Friday music giveaways.
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