DREAM SUPERGROUPS

In a recent interview OZZY OSBOURNE named his Dream Supergroup as Lennon, Hendrix, Rhoads, McCartney, Clufetos (his current drummer) and himself singing. It would certainly be fun watching Rhoads and Jimi trade licks.

Alice Cooper had also previously listed his dream supergroup as Keith Moon, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Lennon and McCartney, which is basically The Who meets The Beatles. That would have been interesting.

The usual definition of a supergroup is a musical group whose members are successful as solo artists or as members of other successful groups prior to forming the new group. The term was coined to describe Cream, who came together in 1966.

But what makes a Supergroup “super” and do they ever deliver decent albums? Road Hounds takes a closer sniff.

Cream certainly were Super. Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. All legends. The first and best power trio, whose brand of highly amplified, free-form playing took blues and rock in new directions. Although Cream were only together for a little more than two years, their influence was immense. Two decent albums too, Fresh Cream and Disraeli Gears full of top quality amped-up traditional blues and hard-driving psychedelic pop.

Super Score 10/10

 

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were a four-man folk supergroup that formed and re-formed countless times since 1969. Featuring David Crosby (The Byrds), Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield), Graham Nash (The Hollies) and Neil Young (Buffalo Springfield), these cats are arguably the ultimate super group.

They only really made one great album though. Their debut, Déjà Vu, was one of the most hotly awaited albums in history and actually lived up to its expectations, a product of four potent musical talents who were all ascending to the top of their game. Things quickly fell apart after that.

Super Score 9/10

 

Beck, Bogert & Appice were a short-lived supergroup that matched guitar hero Beck with the rhythm section from Vanilla Fudge (Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice). It’s clear that Beck wanted to rock really loud and really hard, and presumably beat Led Zeppelin at their own game. Sadly, he didn’t succeed.

Super Score 6/10

 

 

 

Eagles. N.B no THE. They’re not “The Eagles”. Don Henley (Shiloh), Glenn Frey (Linda Ronstadt), Bernie Leadon (The Flying Burrito Brothers) and Randy Meisner (Poco) were the original members, with guitarist Joe Walsh and bassist Timothy B Schmit joining later.

The first at the forefront of the country-rock movement, later producing soft rock and album rock, they went on to become among the best-selling artists of the 1970s. A run of good albums leads up to their masterpiece Hotel California in 1976, their biggest-selling album, and one of the most successful rock albums ever.

Super Score 10/10

 

Bad Company were a British hard rock supergroup powered by Paul Rodgers’ (Free) muscular vocals and Mick Ralphs’ (Mott the Hoople) blues-based guitar work. Their 1974 debut was a decent record and an international hit, scoring with the number one single Can’t Get Enough of Your Love. Straight Shooter, issued the following year, maintained the quality and was another major success, notching the hit Feel Like Makin’ Love.

Super Score 8/10

 

Asia were a Prog-rock supergroup featuring members of King Crimson, ELP, and Yes, specifically  John Wetton (King Crimson), Steve Howe (Yes), Carl Palmer (ELP) and Geoff Downes (The Buggles). They recorded a flurry of stadium-filling pop hits during the 1980s.

Asia’s debut lodged itself at the top of the U.S. album charts for two months and spawned massive singles in Heat of the Moment and Only Time Will Tell. Alpha, their second album, also had a couple of hits (Don’t Cry and The Smile Has Left Your Eyes) but its follow-up, Astra, was a flop.

Super Score 7/10

 

Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve (“HSAS”) were Neal Schon, Sammy Hagar, Aaronson (bass) and drummer Shrieve (also ex  Santana), who came together briefly for one album in 1984. It’s a sound record. The band approaches each cut as an epic, wisely using the opportunity to flex their AOR muscles. Missing You and My Home Town are both killer tracks.

Super Score 6/10

 

Damn Yankees. Comprised of guitarist Ted Nugent, Styx’s Tommy Shaw, Night Ranger’s Jack Blades, and drummer Michael Cartellone, Damn Yankees arrived during the final moments of pop-metal’s heyday, and for a brief time in the early ’90s, they enjoyed a considerable amount of success on the arena rock circuit. The group’s self-titled debut album spawned several hits in 1990, including the Top Ten power ballad “High Enough” and the radio hit “Coming of Age.”

Super Score 8/10

Temple of the Dog were a one-off 1991 grunge project formed by Chris Cornell to pay tribute to his friend and colleague, Mother Love Bone’s Andrew Wood. He was joined by Stone Gossard (Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam), Jeff Ament (Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and Mike McCready (Pearl Jam). Perhaps it isn’t surprising that the record sounds like a cross between Mother Love Bone’s theatrical ’70s-rock, and Pearl Jam’s hard-rocking seriousness. The album is a near perfect fusion of mournful ballads with a life-affirming aura. We particularly like Call me A Dog.

Super Score 9/10

 

Down were an all-star heavy metal side project featuring members of Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity, and Crowbar. Key members were Phil Anselmo (vocals) and Pepper Keenan (guitar). The primary influence on the group was Black Sabbath and they made three Sabbath infused albums over a period of twelve years. The debut NOLA was particularly strong, taking the two leaders’ writing talents and distinctive sounds and focusing them into a feast of Cajun-style heavy metal.

Super Score 7/10

 

Fantômas

An alternative metal supergroup featuring Mike Patton (Faith No More), Buzz Osborne (Melvins), Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle) and Dave Lombardo (Slayer). Metal fans drooled at the dream lineup but one should always expect the unexpected with Patton-related projects. The debut was a completely original and cutting edge soundtrack to a comic book. WTF? The second album was reimagined versions of film soundtracks, including Rosemary’s Baby and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. WTFF? Fourth album Delirium Cordia is one long haunting film sound track clocking in at 74 minutes inspired by surgeries in action. FFS. Fantômas then go back to start on their next album Suspended Animation, a concept album. Mike Patton is at his most focused, concise and frenzied. A masterpiece.

Super Score 8/10

 

Audioslave were a Hard rock supergroup of the 2000s featuring Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell backed by three members of Rage Against the Machine. Tom Morello’s funk metal guitar blends nicely with Chris Cornell ‘s ’70s metal spirit, playing to the strengths of both camps, never more effectively than on the colossal Cochise. Follow up album Out of Exile sounds even better, like the product of a genuine band, where all four members of the band contribute equally to achieve a distinctive, unified personality. The songs are better too.

Super Score 7/10

 

 

 

Velvet Revolver

A hard rock supergroup featuring three former Guns N’ Roses bandmates, including Slash ‘n’ Duff, and vocalist Scott Weiland, formerly of Stone Temple Pilots. Their 2004 debut, Contraband, wasn’t quite compelling enough, despite their love for old-school rock & roll theatre. 2007’s Libertad is more cohesive than the debut, with added color and texture that enhances the melodies. Everything suddenly clicks as on the relentless opener Let It Roll.

Super Score 7/10

 

Chickenfoot

A hard rock supergroup which unites members of Van Halen and the Red Hot Chili Peppers with guitar hero Joe Satriani. The critically dismissed 2009 debut was followed by a second  LP — cheekily named Chickenfoot III — that delivered plenty of mainstream rock comfort food in the shape of tracks like muscular opener Last Temptation, the irresistible singalong Alright Alright, and even the bluesier, acoustic-infused Something Gone Wrong.

Super Score 7/10

 

Them Crooked Vultures were a hard-rocking supergroupcomprising of Josh Homme, Dave Grohl, and John Paul Jones, who released just one album. Often, supergroups wind up dominated by one particular personality but this is a group of natural-born collaborators. Homme’s drive for precision trims away any indulgence and experimentation, leaving behind grippingly musical hard rock. Melodies and hooks are evidence of obvious chemistry as the three instigate each other and spur each other on, creating guitar rock that’s at once classic, adventurous and thrilling.

Super Score 8/10

 

Black Country Communion were a U.S.-U.K. hard rock alliance formed in 2010, blending the legendary talents of bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes, guitarist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham, and keyboardist Derek Sherinian. The band set out to modernize the vintage Deep Purple template with Hughes’ signature power-soul voice and the necessary Hammond organ sound replicated here by Sherinian. Bluesman Bonamassa was well suited to the task at hand too, and the band deliver the all-important songs, including the infectious one-two punch of Black Country and One Last Soul, Down Again and the epic Song of Yesterday.

Super Score 8/10

 

 

 

The Winery Dogs

Hard rock supergroup featuring Richie Kotzen (Mr. Big), Billy Sheehan (Steve Vai), and drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). Steeped in the classic rock of Led Zep, the instrumental pyrotechnics of ’80s pop metal, and groove-heavy riffage, their eponymous debut featured 13 meticulously crafted slabs of 21st century rock. The sophomore studio LP Hot Streak doubled down on the riffage, tightness and mayhem of the debut. As would be expected, the musicianship is top-notch, with Portnoy and Sheehan finishing each other’s musical sentences and Kotzen’s deft guitar work providing numerous fireworks throughout. The Dogs prove they are a hardened band rather than a one-off studio project.

Super Score 9/10

 

Hollywood Vampires are an all-star classic rock supergroup anchored by Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, and Johnny Depp. All the songs on their debut album, apart from the two originals, are covers of songs by dead rockers including Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, T. Rex. and John Lennon. Haha. We get it. It succeeds in being a raucous celebration of old-time Sunset Strip rock & roll. Even Paul McCartney swings by and it’s clear he enjoys playing with these louts as much as they enjoy playing with him. Alice is the ringleader, pushing people to the mic, turning most tracks into his trademark metallic vaudeville.

Super Score 6/10

 

While a supergroup is all too often a short-lived rock phenomenon, designed to make megabucks, as opposed to mega music, it’s clear that this isn’t always the case. So in celebration of Super Groups here’s Road Hounds top dogs’ Dream Supergroups, and a Playlist to go with our selections.

Chris Ingham

• Bon Scott – vocals
• Slash – guitar
• Synyster Gates – guitar
• Todd Hamilton- bass
• Jean Paul Gaster – drums
• Trent Reznor – keyboards

 

Al King

• Eddie van Halem – guitar
• Freddiy Mercury – vocals
• Ian Paice – drums
• John Entwistle – bass
• Rick Wakeman – keyboards