Highway Hi-Fi Podcast Reverse Supergroups (Episode 71)
Supergroups are kind of lazy. It’s a lazy term for bands that consist of musicians who have already found success elsewhere. It’s a lazy move for musicians who too often want to become relevant again or make some easy money. It’s a lazy means of promotion for record labels who can just plaster the faces of the band members on the cover. It’s a lazy expectation for fans who are happy enough with artists resting on their collective laurels. However, in this laziness, intentions and expectations are in a strange dichotomy of being very low and being very high, a lot of weird and fun stuff can happen. Raging egos, combined with expensive chemicals can generate a lot of damage.
The rise of many of the most well-known supergroups has been documented to a narcoleptic degree; your Creams, Audioslaves, CSNYs, Blind Faiths, Traveling Wilburys, and Bad Englishes, for example. We are not going to bore you with those stories that you probably know already and we don’t have any interest in in the first place. We are going to take a different highway like the podcasting highwaymen we are.
In this episode, we look at the other end of the spectrum, covering the importance of groups that were supergroups except that no one knew it yet. Groups with multiple members who would go on to greatness, but in the nascent stage were still unknowns. Bands that are sometimes called “Reverse Supergroups”. Totally opposite of the serendipitous accidents or the blatant money grabs of the typical supergroups; proto-supergroups are full of drive, creativity, and unchecked enthusiasm. The powers that the members yield may not be known, but it is a lot of fun to see collaborations between up and comers. Making the case that sometimes the music is more important and more lasting when it was created before anyone was paying attention rather than when it was made after people quit caring.
Great places to visit that we mention in the episode:
Chris Sand AKA Sandman the Rappin' Cowboy
People in a Position to Know Vinyl Recordings (PIAPTK)
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