Sometimes, even the most famous musicians have side projects that slip under the radar. Whether it’s due to the fame of their main band or just bad timing, many of these projects didn’t get the attention they deserved. Here are some musicians who explored new sounds and ideas in side projects that should have had a bigger audience.
Thom Yorke – Atoms for Peace
Thom Yorke, the frontman of Radiohead, formed Atoms for Peace in 2009. This supergroup included Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea, producer Nigel Godrich, and drummer Joey Waronker. They combined electronic music with live instrumentation, creating a unique sound. The project’s album Amok was critically acclaimed but didn’t gain the same mainstream success as Radiohead’s work.
Jack White – The Dead Weather
Jack White is best known for The White Stripes, but The Dead Weather was another one of his brilliant side projects. Formed in 2009, this band brought together White with Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age, and Jack Lawrence. The group’s gritty, raw sound with White on drums was a departure from his usual guitar-heavy style. Despite their talent, they never reached the heights of White’s other bands.
Damon Albarn – The Good, the Bad & the Queen
Damon Albarn is widely known for his work with Blur and Gorillaz, but his side project, The Good, the Bad & the Queen, often flew under the radar. Along with Paul Simonon of The Clash and Tony Allen, Albarn crafted a more introspective, melancholic album that explored British identity. While the project received critical praise, it never garnered the mainstream attention it deserved.
Josh Homme – Them Crooked Vultures
Josh Homme, the driving force behind Queens of the Stone Age, teamed up with Dave Grohl and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones to create Them Crooked Vultures. The supergroup’s self-titled album was filled with heavy rock riffs and exceptional musicianship. Despite its rock pedigree, the band didn’t stay in the spotlight for long, and their work is often overshadowed by their individual main projects.
Maynard James Keenan – Puscifer
Maynard James Keenan, known for his work with Tool and A Perfect Circle, also has a fascinating side project called Puscifer. This experimental band allows Keenan to explore more electronic and humorous elements in his music. Puscifer’s work is playful and quirky, but it hasn’t gained the same recognition as his more serious bands, despite its creativity and versatility.
Paul McCartney – The Fireman
Paul McCartney’s side project, The Fireman, saw him dive into experimental music with producer Youth. This electronic collaboration is far from The Beatles’ sound and even from McCartney’s solo work. Their albums, like Electric Arguments, offer a mix of ambient, electronic, and rock elements. Though innovative, the project remained largely underappreciated compared to McCartney’s other ventures.
John Frusciante – Ataxia
John Frusciante, known for his guitar work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, ventured into a more experimental sound with Ataxia. This short-lived project, with Josh Klinghoffer and Joe Lally of Fugazi, explored spacey, atmospheric rock with lengthy jams. Ataxia released two albums, but they never gained widespread attention, despite Frusciante’s devoted fan base.
Alex Turner – The Last Shadow Puppets
Alex Turner, the frontman for Arctic Monkeys, formed The Last Shadow Puppets with Miles Kane. The project allowed Turner to explore more orchestral and dramatic sounds, differing from the indie rock style he’s known for. While their debut album The Age of the Understatement was a success, the band never reached the same level of fame as Arctic Monkeys.
Joni Mitchell – Joni Mitchell and the L.A. Express
Joni Mitchell, one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 20th century, teamed up with the jazz-fusion band L.A. Express in the 1970s. Together, they created a more experimental, jazz-infused sound that was a departure from her folk roots. Albums like Court and Spark showcased this collaboration, but the experimental nature of the music didn’t always resonate with her folk fan base.
Les Claypool – Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade
Les Claypool, the eccentric bassist and frontman of Primus, formed Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade in 2000. The project allowed him to blend rock, funk, and experimental music in new ways. Despite its unique sound and Claypool’s cult following, the project never gained the same mainstream success as Primus.
Tom Morello – Street Sweeper Social Club
Tom Morello, the legendary guitarist of Rage Against the Machine, created Street Sweeper Social Club with rapper Boots Riley in 2006. This collaboration combined Morello’s heavy, riff-driven guitar work with Riley’s politically charged lyrics. The result was a powerful fusion of rock and hip-hop. Although the band had great potential, it didn’t capture the same audience as Morello’s other projects.
Peter Gabriel – Real World Records
Peter Gabriel, the former Genesis frontman and solo artist, founded Real World Records as a platform for world music. While not a typical side project, Gabriel’s involvement in producing and promoting music from diverse cultures deserves more attention. His work with artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan introduced many listeners to sounds they might not have otherwise discovered. Yet, it remains lesser known compared to his solo work.
Trent Reznor – How to Destroy Angels
Trent Reznor, the mastermind behind Nine Inch Nails, formed How to Destroy Angels with his wife Mariqueen Maandig and longtime collaborator Atticus Ross. The project explored more melodic and atmospheric sounds compared to the industrial intensity of Nine Inch Nails. Their music was haunting and beautiful, but it didn’t receive the same recognition as Reznor’s other work.
Dave Grohl – Probot
Before he became the frontman of Foo Fighters and after his drumming days with Nirvana, Dave Grohl explored his love for heavy metal with a project called Probot. Released in 2004, the self-titled album was a tribute to Grohl’s favorite metal bands, featuring vocal performances from legends like Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead), King Diamond, and Max Cavalera (Sepultura). Although the album was praised within metal circles, it didn’t reach the same level of mainstream recognition as Grohl’s other work. Probot remains a hidden gem for fans of both Grohl and classic metal.
Mark Lanegan – The Gutter Twins
Mark Lanegan, the gravelly-voiced singer from Screaming Trees, joined forces with Greg Dulli of The Afghan Whigs to form The Gutter Twins. Their 2008 album Saturnalia mixed dark, brooding rock with elements of blues and soul. The music was raw and emotional, but it never gained the recognition it deserved. Lanegan’s distinct voice brought depth to the project, yet it remained in the shadows of his other work.
This article originally appeared on UnifyCosmos.
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