In popular music, a side project is a project undertaken by one or more persons already known for their involvement in another band. It can also be an artist or a band temporarily switching to a different style. For the music genre, see Pop music. ...

Usually these projects emphasize a different aspect of that person's or that band's musical interests that they feel they cannot explore within the boundaries established by their main project. Side projects can later become full-time endeavours, but shouldn't be confused with quitting a band for a solo career or another band.

Overview

The term "side project" is sometimes used pejoratively: it is common for members of popular groups – especially those who have little or no input into the creative process of their group; to take part in side projects with the expectation that the reputation of the "main" group will propel the side group forward regardless of the project's own merits.

There are several examples of side projects within music; many bands encourage their members to take part in them, thinking that new creative situations will cause new ideas to be brought back to the group. For instance rap group Wu-Tang Clan has released only a few albums as a complete group, however each of the nine members have pursued success with solo projects, resulting in dozens of side project albums. Other groups, however, insist that each member focus all of their energy on the main band. Metallica falls into this latter category, a decision which led to the departure of former bassist Jason Newsted. Wu-Tang redirects here. ... Metallica is a Grammy Award-winning American heavy metal/thrash metal band formed in 1981[1] and has become one of the most commercially successful musical acts of recent decades. ... Jason Newsted is an American bass guitarist, currently a member of Voivod and Rock Star Supernova. ...

One of the most famous examples of musical side projects is Kiss' decision in 1978 to have each member of the band, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, simultaneously release solo albums. In 1992, as a tribute to Kiss, The Melvins released solo EPs. Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1972. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Chaim Witz (חיים וויץ), (born August 25, 1949 in Haifa, Israel), better known by his stage name Gene Simmons, is an Israeli-American hard rock bass guitarist and vocalist. ... This article is about the metal musician. ... Paul Daniel Frehley (born April 27, 1951[1]), better known as Ace Frehley, is an American guitarist best known as a founding member and lead guitarist for the rock band Kiss. ... Peter Criss (born George Peter John Criscuola--pronounced Chris-cola-- on December 20, 1945), is an American musician best known as co-founder, drummer, vocalist for the rock band KISS. Peter Criss established the cat character for his KISS persona. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... The Melvins are an American rock band/ metal band that usually perform as a trio. ... // Extended play (EP) is the name typically given to vinyl records or CDs which contain more than one single but are too short to qualify as albums. ...

Some notably interesting side projects include Korn bassist Fieldy's 2002 rap album, and rapper Pakelika, a member of Kottonmouth Kings. Pakelika's only role in Kottonmouth Kings is wearing a strange mask which resembles the face part of a bodycast, and to dance around in videos and on stage. However, Pakelika has released a full length rap album of his own work, despite never speaking on a Kottonmouth King's record. This article is about the band. ... Reginald Fieldy Arvizu Reginald Fieldy Arvizu (born November 2, 1969 in Bakersfield, California) is the bass player for the band Korn. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... // The Kottonmouth Kings began years before they decided to become the popular Rapcore group that theyve become. ...

"Side project" is also referred to non-lucrative pursuits of famous individuals outside of their primary field. For instance, Wicked Wisdom is a "side project" of Hollywood star Jada Pinkett Smith. Her angsty metal band benefits from the celebrity she has attained as an actress, voice over artist, wife of Will Smith, fashion designer, and other artistic pursuits. Side projects often occur at a crossroads of a celebrity's career. For instance, when a celebrity has achieved a level of stardom he or she is hubristic to apply their creative genius to another field (see: Bruce Willis amd David Hasselhoff's music careers); when a celebrity is ready to cross-market their personality into another marketable commercial product or field (see: Michael Jordan's baseball career); or to "humanize" or add "dimension" to a celebrity's career when their stars lose luster. Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955 in Idar-Oberstein, Germany) is an American actor and singer. ... David Michael Hasselhoff (born July 17, 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland), nicknamed The Hoff, is an American actor who was best known for his lead roles on Knight Rider and Baywatch. ...

Famous or notable side projects

• (a+) machines, a side project of Matt Noveskey of Blue October.
• A Perfect Circle, side project consisting of Maynard James Keenan from Tool.
• A Silver Mt. Zion, originally a side project of Montreal post-rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
• Angels & Airwaves was created after Box Car Racer split by Tom and David . It is an alternative rock band, alongside ex-Distillers bassist Ryan Sinn and Offspring drummer Atom Willard.
• The Art Goblins punk band containing Eddie Argos and Jasper Future of Art Brut.
• Fort Minor, a hip hop side project whose only official member is Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda.
• Box Car Racer, consisting of Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker (then of blink-182), and David Kennedy of Hazen Street.
• Brad (band), featuring members of Pearl Jam and Satchel.
• The Breeders, featuring members of Pixies and Throwing Muses.
• Broken Social Scene, originally a side project of members of Toronto band Do Make Say Think.
• Mrs. Scabtree, a side project between Marilyn Manson, Jeordie White and Jessicka from Jack Off Jill.
• Cobra Starship, the side project of Midtown's singer Gabe Saporta.
• The Cross, the side project of Queen's drummer Roger Taylor.
• The Glove, a side project of The Cure's Robert Smith and Siouxsie & the Banshees's Steven Severin.
• Gorillaz, a virtual band composed of four fictional animated band members, created by Damon Albarn from Blur, and Jamie Hewlett, the co-creator of the comic book Tank Girl.
• Gov't Mule, a side project of Warren Haynes and Allen Woody of the Allman Brothers Band.
• Mike + The Mechanics, a side project of Mike Rutherford of Genesis.
• The Network, supposedly a side project of all the members of Green Day.
• The Nightwatchman, the alter ego of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello.
• The Postal Service, a side project featuring Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel.
• Probot, a Dave Grohl side project featuring various 70s and 80s heavy metal vocalists.
• Puscifer, another side project consisting and organized by Maynard James Keenan of Tool.
• Some Devil, a side project of Dave Matthews from the Dave Matthews Band.
• Temple of the Dog, featuring members of Soundgarden with Pearl Jam and the start of that band.
• Three Fish, featuring Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam.
• Tom Tom Club, a side project of Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads.
• FM Static, a side project by Thousand Foot Krutch frontman, Trevor McNevan and drummer Steve Augustine.
• Liquid Tension Experiment, a side project of Dream Theater featuring John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, Jordan Rudess, and progressive rock icon bassist Tony Levin.
• Some Girls, a supergroup/side project consisting of current members of The Locust and The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower, and ex-members of Give Up the Ghost (formerly American Nightmare).
• The Operation M.D., a side project of Juliette and the Licks guitarist Todd Morse and Sum 41 bassist Cone McCaslin.
• MD.45, a side project of Dave Mustaine and Jimmy DeGrasso from Megadeth with Lee Ving from Fear

(a+)machines, A+ Machines or A Plus Machines is a rock band from Austin, Texas founded in 2003 by Matt Noveskey and Alan Adams (joined by guitarists Ryan Holley and Chris Lynch) after Matt left Blue October. ... William Matthew Matt Noveskey (born June 16, 1976) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, and bassist, best known for his work with the bands Blue October and (a+)machines. ... This article is about the American band. ... A Perfect Circle (often referred to as APC) was an alternative rock supergroup, formed by guitarist Billy Howerdel. ... Maynard James Keenan (born April 17, 1964, as James Herbert Keenan) is an American rock singer. ... Tool is a Grammy-award winning American rock band, formed in 1990 in Los Angeles, California. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Nickname: Motto: Concordia Salus (well-being through harmony) Coordinates: , Country Province Region Montréal Founded 1642 Established 1832 Government  - Mayor Gérald Tremblay Area [1][2][3]  - City 365. ... The term post-rock was coined by Simon Reynolds in issue 123 of The Wire (May 1994) to describe a sort of music using rock instrumentation for non-rock purposes, using guitars as facilitators of timbres and textures rather than riffs and powerchords. ... Godspeed You! Black Emperor (formerly punctuated Godspeed You Black Emperor!) is an avant-garde Canadian post-rock band based in Montreal, Quebec. ... Angels & Airwaves is an alternative rock group created by former blink-182 and Box Car Racer guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge. ... Box Car Racer was a side-project from two members of the band Blink-182, featuring guitarist Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker. ... Alternative music redirects here. ... The Distillers are a punk rock band. ... Ryan Sinn (born 23 April 1979 in Fremont, California, USA) is the bassist for rock band Angels and Airwaves. ... For other uses, see Offspring (disambiguation). ... Adam Atom Willard (born August 15, 1973), is currently a drummer and lives in San Diego, CA. He likes to snowboard and bike and is happily married. ... The Art Goblins are an English alternative rock band featuring current Art Brut members Eddie Argos and Jasper Future. ... Eddie Argos is the 27 year-old lead singer of the British band Art Brut, and originally the frontman of The Art Goblins (with whom he still performs occasionally). ... Art Brut are an English indie rock band. ... Fort Minor is a hip hop ensemble and a side project by Mike Shinoda, one of the lead singers and additional instrumentalists for the band Linkin Park. ... Hip hop music is a style of music which came into existence in the United States during the mid-1970s, and became a large part of modern pop culture during the 1980s. ... Linkin Park is a rock band from Agoura Hills, California. ... Michael Kenji Shinoda (born February 11, 1977)[1][2] is an American musician, record producer, and artist from Agoura Hills, California. ... Box Car Racer was a side-project from two members of the band Blink-182, featuring guitarist Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... | Img =TravisBarker. ... The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ... David Kennedy (born July 8, 1976 is an American guitarist, songwriter and performer. ... Hazen Street (also known as Hazen St. ... Brad is a group of friends from the Seattle area who are musicians, including Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam fame. ... This article is about the rock group. ... Satchel is a band from Seattle, featuring Shawn Smith, Regan Hagar, and Mike Berg. ... The Breeders are an American rock band, formed in 1977 as a folk rock duo featuring twin sisters Kim and Kelley Deal of Dayton, Ohio which played country covers at truck stops and bars and dissipated in the early 80s, only to be revived as a side project in... The Pixies[1] are an American alternative rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1985. ... An early band formation (left to right): Narcizo, Hersh, Donelly, and Langston. ... Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock supergroup, a musical collective currently including nineteen members, formed in 1999 in Toronto, Ontario. ... Do Make Say Think is a Canadian instrumental post-rock band from Toronto, Ontario. ... Mrs. ... Marilyn Manson (born Brian Hugh Warner ) is the lead singer of the band Marilyn Manson. ... Jeordie Osborne White (born June 20, 1971), also known by his former pseudonym Twiggy Ramirez (derived from Twiggy, a fashion icon, and Richard Ramirez, a convicted serial killer)[1] is a musician and currently a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist for Goon Moon. ... Jessicka (born Jessica Fodera on October 23, 1975) is an American singer and artist who is best known for her bands Jack Off Jill and Scarling. ... Jack Off Jill was an Alternative rock band from Ft. ... Cobra Starship is an Alternative Rock band created by Midtown bassist/lead vocalist Gabe Saporta as a side project. ... Midtown Midtown are a pop-punk and an emo-punk band from New Brunswick, NJ. Formed in November, 1998 by three Rutgers students, Midtown soon became a quartet. ... For the Sigrid Undset historical novel, see The Cross (novel). ... Queen are an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist Brian May, singer Freddie Mercury and drummer Roger Taylor, with bassist John Deacon joining the following year. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Glove is a supergroup that was a side-project of Robert Smith (from British alt-rock band The Cure) and Steven Severin (from British gothic rock band Siouxsie & the Banshees). ... This article is about the band. ... For other persons named Robert Smith, see Robert Smith (disambiguation). ... Siouxsie and the Banshees were a British rock band that formed in 1976. ... Steven Severin (born Steven John Bailey, on September 25, 1955, in London), sometimes written Steve Severin, is bassist and founding member of Siouxsie & the Banshees. ... For the Gorillazs self-titled debut album, see Gorillaz (album). ... The bouncing ball animation (below) consists of these 6 frames. ... Damon Albarn, (IPA: []) (born March 23, 1968 in Leytonstone, London), is an English singer-songwriter who gained fame as the lead singer of rock band Blur. ... Blur are an English rock band formed in Colchester in 1989. ... Jamie Hewlett is joint creator of Tank Girl and a member of Gorillaz. ... cover art to Tank Girl: The Odyssey Tank Girl is a British comic character written by Alan Martin and originally drawn by Jamie Hewlett; currently by Ashley Wood. ... Govt Mule is a southern rock/jam band formed in 1994 as an Allman Brothers Band side project, but has taken on a life of its own. ... Warren Haynes (born April 6, 1960) is an American rock and blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter and long time member of The Allman Brothers Band. ... Douglas Allen Woody (b. ... The original Allman Brothers Band The Allman Brothers Band is a pioneering and innovative Southern rock group from Macon, Georgia originally popular in the 1970s, described by Rolling Stones George Kimball in 1971 as the best . ... Mike + The Mechanics are an English rock/pop band formed in 1985 as a side-project of Mike Rutherford, a founding member of Genesis, that became a successful band in its own right. ... Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford (born October 2, 1950 in Guildford, Surrey) is an English musician. ... Genesis is an English rock band formed in 1967. ... The Network is a 6-piece New Wave band and a supposed side-project of the band Green Day. ... This article is about the band Green Day. ... The Nightwatchman is the alter-ego and solo act of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello. ... Alter Ego has multiple meanings: Alter Ego is a game for the Commodore 64 computer. ... Rage Against the Machine (also Rage and RATM) is an American rock band, noted for their blend of hip hop, heavy metal, punk and funk as well as their revolutionary politics and lyrics. ... For the bands self-titled album, see Audioslave (album). ... Tom Morello (born May 30, 1964, as Thomas Baptist Morello) is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist of the band Rage Against the Machine. ... This article is about the band. ... Benjamin Gibbard (born August 11, 1976) in Bremerton, Washington and currently residing in Seattle, Washington, is an American musician who has formed several indie bands, and who is known for his songwriting. ... Death Cab for Cutie is an American band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. ... James Scott Tamborello, more commonly known as Dntel, is an electronic music artist. ... James Scott Tamborello, more commonly known as Dntel, is an electronic music artist. ... Probot (portmanteau: probe + robot) is a musical project masterminded by Dave Grohl. ... David Eric Grohl (born January 14, 1969, in Warren, Ohio) is an American rock musician and songwriter. ... Heavy metals, in chemistry, are chemical elements of a particular range of atomic weights. ... Puscifer (IPA: [ˈpusÉ™fÉš][1]) is a side project of Maynard James Keenan from the bands Tool and A Perfect Circle. ... Some Devil is the debut solo album by musician Dave Matthews (of Dave Matthews Band fame). ... David John Matthews (born January 9, 1967) is a South African, now naturalized American, Grammy-winning lead vocalist and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band. ... Dave Matthews Band (also known by the acronym DMB) is a United States-based band, originally formed in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1991 by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dave Matthews. ... Temple of the Dog is the only album from the grunge supergroup of the same name. ... Soundgarden was an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984. ... This article is about the rock group. ... Three Fish is a band that was formed in 1996 by Pearl Jams Jeff Ament. ... Jeff Ament (born March 10, 1963 in Big Sandy, Montana), is an American Rock bassist and one of the founding members of Pearl Jam. ... This article is about the rock group. ... Tom Tom Club was a New Wave band, a side project set up by Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz who were also members of the Talking Heads. ... Tina Weymouth A founding member of the influential New Wave group Talking Heads, was born Martina Michéle Weymouth on November 22, 1950 in Coronado, California. ... Chris Frantz (born Charlton Christopher Frantz, May 8, 1951 in Fort Campbell, KY, United States) was the drummer for both the Talking Heads and the Tom Tom Club. ... Talking Heads were an American rock band existing between 1974 and 1991, composed of David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison. ... FM Static is a Toronto-based pop punk band currently signed to Tooth & Nail Records. ... Thousand Foot Krutch or TFK is a Canadian Christian rock band. ... Trevor McNevan (also known as TeeRawk [1]) is the lead singer of Christian rock band Thousand Foot Krutch and TFKs side project, pop-punk group FM Static. ... Liquid Tension Experiment is an instrumental progressive rock / metal project initiated by Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. ... Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band comprising James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy. ... John Petrucci (born July 12, 1967, Kings Park, Long Island, New York) is an American guitarist best known as a founding member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. ... Michael Stephen Mike Portnoy (born April 20, 1967) is an American drummer primarily known for his work with the progressive metal band Dream Theater. ... Jordan Rudess (born Jordan Rudes on November 4, 1956) is a progressive rock keyboardist best known as a member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. ... Tony Levin (born June 6, 1946, Boston, Massachusetts) is an influential American bass player. ... For other uses see Some Girls (disambiguation). ... The Locust is a noise rock group from San Diego, California, United States. ... The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower were a four-piece punk band from San Diego, California, that formed in 2001. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Operation M.D. (formerly The Operation) is a side-project created by Dr. Dynamite (Cone of Sum 41) and Dr. Rocco (Todd Morse of H2O and Juliette and the Licks). ... Juliette and the Licks are a punk rock band led by US actress Juliette Lewis. ... Todd Morse is one of the guitarist of the band H2O and a member of Juliette and the Licks. ... Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. ... Born on September 3, 1981, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Jason McCaslin (or Jay McCaslin, aka Cone), is the bass-player of the Canadian pop-punk band Sum 41. ... MD.45 was a side project of Megadeth guitarist/frontman Dave Mustaine, Fear guitarist/vocalist Lee Ving on singing duties, bassist Kelly LeMieux and former Suicidal Tendencies member Jimmy DeGrasso on drums. ... David Scott Mustaine (born David Scott Mustonen, September 13, 1961 in La Mesa, California, United States) is the lead/rhythm guitarist, songwriter, and singer for the speed/thrash metal band, Megadeth. ... Jimmy DeGrasso (born March 16, 1963 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) is a American heavy metal drummer. ... Megadeth is an American thrash metal band led by founder, frontman and songwriter Dave Mustaine. ... Lee Ving (real name Lee James Capalero, born in Philadelphia,1949 - ) was the lead singer of the 80s punk band Fear. ... Fear is a punk band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 1977 and still performs. ...

See also

• Supergroup