Morning Metal: Metal Rant #6: Side Projects

by Jamie Grant

07/31/2014

1615

Rockso Rants

Side Projects & Bands

There are many great bands out there whose members don’t have the creative input they would like, so they form side bands. This rant came to mind after listening to a Swedish industrial metal band called Pain. I accidentally found this band while skimming through YouTube and found one of their singles from 2002, “Shut Your Mouth”. Awesomely enough, the band is fronted by Peter Tãgtgren from death metal band Hypocrisy.

One musician who is notorious for having many different projects is a man I mentioned in my last rant: Maynard James Keenan. He not only fronts alternative metal band Tool, he is also the vocalist for A Perfect Circle and his solo project, Puscifer. Maynard often spends so much time on one band that fans think he’s forgotten about the others! I think the idea of having a side project while your main group is on hiatus or taking a break between tours is a great idea, because it’ll allow said members to experience new genres, and bring more life and creativity into the band.

Use your creative mind, folks!

You do, however, have fans that have formed side projects that sound almost identical to the main band. For example, Disturbed front man David Draiman formed Device in 2012 with Filter‘s Geno Lenardo after Disturbed went on hiatus and released their self-titled debut in 2013. Now, when I say “almost identical,” I mean they sound the same with some very small variations such as introducing industrial-style riffs rather than nu metal riffs. This is due to the fact that they have Filter’s guitarist. Everything else, however, is Disturbed. Obviously because the vocalist is the same, but the overall feel sounds Disturbed. I would comment on the introduction of electronic music in Device, but Disturbed implements the very same style, just in less fashion. I think Device is great because it’s still heavy and has the little difference to make it unique – but I do know some people who think it’s a waste of time. You monsters!

Device – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K1q1pw04Bs

Disturbed – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K9jBL2syJ8

While not necessarily a side band, Slipknot evolved into Corey Taylor‘s main band. Not many people are aware that Stone Sour came first. Neither band could be considered a side band because they’re both way too big – you’ll have a cross-country tour from Slipknot, and then have a cross-country tour with Stone Sour. Even Maynard James Keenan doesn’t tour this much! You’ll go “Oh sweet, Corey’s taking some time to work on Stone Sour.” Which is funny because he’s only just left Stone Sour’s schedules for Slipknot. NEW SLIPKNOT, YEAH!

The primary reason for Corey Taylor and Jim Root‘s (well, previous) involvement were to write and perform melodic and straightforward rock songs dealing with relationships, sadness and other more involved emotions where as Slipknot is solely based around getting out anger and frustration. It’s cool if you’re not a douche who only likes one of those bands because then if you’re feeling really chill you can just jam to Stone Sour, but when you’re angry you can throw on some Slipknot and still rock out to the same basic group – with more or less random drummers.

Slipknot – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWr9LbuK55E

Stone Sour – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNrS-GDAEAs

Creativity is what fuels music. Not so much anymore because all you need is one string, but for those musicians who want to evolve their musical path and work towards something fresh – it is healthy to explore new options. Hey, it’s like college all over again. I am not telling you to form a new band and try something different, because all you really have to do is learn something different. There are reasons why bands like Periphery smashed through into the scene – they had different influences, educated musicians (you don’t have to know theory to be educated) and played around with different sounds. You should hear some of the stuff Jake Bowen writes for his electronic project. Wicked stuff.

Jason Newsted has been a part of various side projects such as Echobrain and Voivod among others, because he was unable to fulfill his creative desires in Metallica. It’s no secret that James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich are notoriously controlling, which is the main reason why Newsted left. It was all for the greater good as new Newsted tunes are pretty righteous. His new music is so metal that it’s actually titled Heavy Metal Music.

I highly suggest you invest time learning some Primus, because if you learn their songs – you can achieve greatness. Yes, learn some really weird genres. Jazz, acoustic, metal, punk and funk would make an insane combination. I’m full of ideas here! Maybe not any good ones, but still!

You should come to these shows!:

Norma Jean, Night Verses, The Prestige, Greylights, Terra Firma and Missioner

August 5th, 2014 @ Mavericks – 221 Rideau Street

Tickets $18 advanced, $20 doors – ALL AGES!

Whitechapel, Stick To Your Guns, Sworn In, Infiltration, Spaz Out and A Scar For The Wicked

August 8th, 2014 @ Ritual Night Club – 137 Besserer Street

Tickets $25 – ALL AGES!

Nekrogoblikon, Swashbuckle, Rainbowdragoneyes and Patron Saint of Plagues

August 10th, 2014 @ Mavericks – 221 Rideau Street

Tickets $13 – 19+

The Faceless, Rings of Saturn, Archspire, Fatality and Black Crown Initiate

August 20th, 2014 @ Mavericks – 221 Rideau Street