![In theory, the combined skill, expertise and music backgrounds of supergroups should result in something that sounds as awesome as the constituent parts combined. See if the theory holds up as we run through 14 of the most creatively exciting and actually successful supergroups.]()
In theory, the combined skill, expertise and music backgrounds of supergroups should result in something that sounds as awesome as the constituent parts combined. See if the theory holds up as we run through 14 of the most creatively exciting and actually successful supergroups.
![Them Crooked Vultures: Unstoppable titans of rock, Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) came together to make ballsy and psychedelic hard rock. We need a second TCV album and we need it soon.]()
Them Crooked Vultures: Unstoppable titans of rock, Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) came together to make ballsy and psychedelic hard rock. We need a second TCV album and we need it soon.
![The Dead Weather: This supergroup came about after Jack White lost his voice on tour with The Raconteurs and asked The Kills' Alison Mosshart to fill in. Following the success of that, White banded together with Jack Lawrence from The Racs, Mosshart and Queens of the Stone Age member, Dean Fertita. Their searing third album is called Dodge & Burn and is out 25 September.]()
The Dead Weather: This supergroup came about after Jack White lost his voice on tour with The Raconteurs and asked The Kills' Alison Mosshart to fill in. Following the success of that, White banded together with Jack Lawrence from The Racs, Mosshart and Queens of the Stone Age member, Dean Fertita. Their searing third album is called Dodge & Burn and is out 25 September.
![Cream: Maybe the most seminal supergroup of them all, Cream is the combined masterwork of Eric Clapton (The Yardbirds) backed with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker (from a number of successful 60s bands). Their jazz influenced psychedelic rock set a new standard for rock musicianship for that era of instrument players.]()
Cream: Maybe the most seminal supergroup of them all, Cream is the combined masterwork of Eric Clapton (The Yardbirds) backed with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker (from a number of successful 60s bands). Their jazz influenced psychedelic rock set a new standard for rock musicianship for that era of instrument players.
![The Last Shadow Puppets: It's been seven years since Alex Turner, Miles Kane and producer James Ford worked on an album as The Last Shadow Puppets. Kane has said that there will be a follow-up to the sultry and clandestine debut]()
The Last Shadow Puppets: It's been seven years since Alex Turner, Miles Kane and producer James Ford worked on an album as The Last Shadow Puppets. Kane has said that there will be a follow-up to the sultry and clandestine debut "when the time is right".
![Monsters of Folk: Sincerely underrated, Monsters of Folk is the collaborative project of Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes), Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and M. Ward (She & Him). As you might gather from either the cast or the title, Monsters of Folk craft electrified and dynamic folk, pure and soulful. They've only released one album and while there's no news on a second anytime soon, we can keep our fingers crossed.]()
Monsters of Folk: Sincerely underrated, Monsters of Folk is the collaborative project of Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes), Jim James (My Morning Jacket) and M. Ward (She & Him). As you might gather from either the cast or the title, Monsters of Folk craft electrified and dynamic folk, pure and soulful. They've only released one album and while there's no news on a second anytime soon, we can keep our fingers crossed.
![Atoms for Peace: What started as Thom Yorke's touring band for his 2009 solo album, The Eraser became Atoms For Peace soon after that. With Flea, Mauro Refosco (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Nigel Godrich (Radiohead producer) and Joey Waronker (R.E.M/Beck), Atoms is more than just a Yorke side project - their improvisational and experimental debut was a rich, technical triumph.]()
Atoms for Peace: What started as Thom Yorke's touring band for his 2009 solo album, The Eraser became Atoms For Peace soon after that. With Flea, Mauro Refosco (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Nigel Godrich (Radiohead producer) and Joey Waronker (R.E.M/Beck), Atoms is more than just a Yorke side project - their improvisational and experimental debut was a rich, technical triumph.
![Broken Bells: Despite being a duo, Broken Bells are as 'super' as supergroups come. The collaborative effort of James Mercer (The Shins) and ultra-producer Danger Mouse, their proficient talents in both songwriting and production shines through on both Broken Bells records in all it's electro-poppy glory.]()
Broken Bells: Despite being a duo, Broken Bells are as 'super' as supergroups come. The collaborative effort of James Mercer (The Shins) and ultra-producer Danger Mouse, their proficient talents in both songwriting and production shines through on both Broken Bells records in all it's electro-poppy glory.
![The Good, The Bad & The Queen: Technically the album name, not the band name, the all-star cast of this project might be too seminal to be able to name. Feauturing Damon Albarn (Blur), Paul Simonon (The Clash), Simon Tong (The Verve), Afrobeat legend, Tony Allen and, again, Danger Mouse. It's a loose concept album that's entrenched in legendary talent.]()
The Good, The Bad & The Queen: Technically the album name, not the band name, the all-star cast of this project might be too seminal to be able to name. Feauturing Damon Albarn (Blur), Paul Simonon (The Clash), Simon Tong (The Verve), Afrobeat legend, Tony Allen and, again, Danger Mouse. It's a loose concept album that's entrenched in legendary talent.
![Eagles of Death Metal: Although Josh Homme (QOTSA) and Jesse Hughes (Desert Sessions) are the only permanent members, Eagles has a constantly rotating cast of established musicians contributing under aliases. Notably Dave Grohl (Diablo), Brody Dalle (Queen Bee), Jack Black (BlackJack) and Claude Coleman (Sugardick).]()
Eagles of Death Metal: Although Josh Homme (QOTSA) and Jesse Hughes (Desert Sessions) are the only permanent members, Eagles has a constantly rotating cast of established musicians contributing under aliases. Notably Dave Grohl (Diablo), Brody Dalle (Queen Bee), Jack Black (BlackJack) and Claude Coleman (Sugardick).
![Electronic: The band that deserve such an overarching name, Electronic was founded by Johnny Marr (The Smiths) and Bernard Sumner (New Order) in 1988. Recruiting Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe (Pet Shop Boys) and Karl Batos (Kraftwerk), the band went on to help reinvigorate contemporary dance music for alternative crowds.]()
Electronic: The band that deserve such an overarching name, Electronic was founded by Johnny Marr (The Smiths) and Bernard Sumner (New Order) in 1988. Recruiting Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe (Pet Shop Boys) and Karl Batos (Kraftwerk), the band went on to help reinvigorate contemporary dance music for alternative crowds.
![Sisyphus: Formally S/S/S, each letter symbolises the opening character of each band member's stage name. Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux and rapper Serengeti released their debut Sisyphus album last year and it went sorely overlooked. Blending the soft with the brash, Sisyphus is simultaneously a tear-jerker and fit for a party playlist]()
Sisyphus: Formally S/S/S, each letter symbolises the opening character of each band member's stage name. Sufjan Stevens, Son Lux and rapper Serengeti released their debut Sisyphus album last year and it went sorely overlooked. Blending the soft with the brash, Sisyphus is simultaneously a tear-jerker and fit for a party playlist
![FFS: Not what you think, this supergroup's name actually refers to the marriage of Glasgow Indie band Franz Ferdinand and Sparks. Their debut collaborative album came out earlier last year and was a seamless braid of the two band's styles packing all the FF punch but with a reinforced danceability.]()
FFS: Not what you think, this supergroup's name actually refers to the marriage of Glasgow Indie band Franz Ferdinand and Sparks. Their debut collaborative album came out earlier last year and was a seamless braid of the two band's styles packing all the FF punch but with a reinforced danceability.
![Sexwitch: Having only debuted their first single today (24 August), Sexwitch is the most new, but still exciting, supergroup in this gallery. Natasha Khan (Bat For Lashes) and Toy premiered their new project at this year's Green Man. The Sexwitch album will be a set of six covers of 1970s psych and folk songs from around the world and is out 25 September.]()
Sexwitch: Having only debuted their first single today (24 August), Sexwitch is the most new, but still exciting, supergroup in this gallery. Natasha Khan (Bat For Lashes) and Toy premiered their new project at this year's Green Man. The Sexwitch album will be a set of six covers of 1970s psych and folk songs from around the world and is out 25 September.
![El VY: Pronounced like 'hell pie', Matt Berninger (The National) and Brent Knopf (Ramona Falls) have only released one track from this project but 'Return to the Moon' is a banger. With a sincere yet anthemic chorus, EL VY will be a must listen for any Berninger fan or anyone that likes fantastic supergroups.]()
El VY: Pronounced like 'hell pie', Matt Berninger (The National) and Brent Knopf (Ramona Falls) have only released one track from this project but 'Return to the Moon' is a banger. With a sincere yet anthemic chorus, EL VY will be a must listen for any Berninger fan or anyone that likes fantastic supergroups.