Emmo’s Blog

Let’s get one thing clear : I don’t like super groups. In my opinion they don’t work. They were great in their previous bands but the magic isn’t there in the new band.

I’ll give you an example of 2 day modern super groups in Velvet Revolver and Chickenfoot.

I didn’t like Velvet Revolver and having heard a few tracks from Chickenfoot I not blown away by them either.
Super groups are normally born out of (good) bands splitting up.  In VR you had 3 members from the old Guns N Roses and 1 from (the then) defunct Stone Temple Pilots.
The debut album sold loads and although I bought it I never liked it with the exception of 3 songs. I didn’t bother with the second album.

Chickenfoot are a bit different in that 2 are ex-members of Van Halen, 1 is currently still in a band (Chad smith) and Joe Satriani has always been a solo artist. I’m not a massive fan of Van Halen or the Chili Peppers so I didn’t expect miracles. Maybe the problem with super groups is that we expect too much. We want them to sound like their old bands but they don’t?

If I could put a super group together then this would be it. Below I give you the members and why they are in the band.

Vocals: Sebastian Bach (Ex Skid Row) – The best ever voice in Rock walks into this band unchallenged. Since recording Skid Rows debut album at 17 in 1989 Bach has been the best in the business. Bach is comfortable with any song thrown at him. His voice is perfect for the rockers and the token ballad on this album.

Bass: Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) – He probably isn’t the best bassist in the world but Sixx has wrote nearly every single Motley Crue song. His stage presence is a big factor. With his 6 foot plus frame, big hair and tattoos Sixx is a rock god and a must for every super group.

Drums: Lars Ulrich (Metallica) – The man behind the frantic drumming of Metallica for the past 25 years. Ulrich can provide to whatever the song requires. Will he have his moving drum kit on tour? Of course!

Lead Guitar: Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) – This super group needs a finger shredder and here in Bettencourt they have one of the world’s finest. Powerful riffs and finger numbing solos are what this band would need and Bettencourt will provide all that by the truck load.

Rhythm Guitar: Izzy Stradlin (Ex Guns N’ Roses) – Izzy will have a calming influence on the band as the others love the limelight and are hyperactive. Izzys laid back approach to guitar playing and song writing will be the perfect foil for Bettencourt’s playing and Sixx’s lyrics. Izzy will be the unsung hero of this band just like he was in his GNR days.

So there’s my dream super group. Due to the egos they wouldn’t last a week but I’d love to see what they would come up with.

Think you can do better? What’s your best super group line up? There’s only 2 rules. They have to be alive (how would they tour otherwise?) and only one member from any one band.