Flying Solo

Flying Solo: Bernard Butler, Suede

Posted on December 11, 2010 by Ricky in Flying Solo, Rickys Random Articles | Leave a comment

Having just seen Suede this week, let’s take a look at one of the more infamous breakups in britpop history. Bernard Butler, the guitarist who left Suede before they finished recording Dog Man Star.

Why? Many things led to the downfall of the Butler-Anderson partnership. Butler had wanted to assume more and more production control but Anderson wouldn’t have it. This led to a toxic relationship between Butler and producer Ed Buller during the Dog Man Star days. If Butler had his way, The Asphalt World would have been 25 minutes long, supposedly. Butler insisted on taking over full production of the album, Brett Anderson resisted and then Butler left the band.

Solo career
Since leaving suede, Bernard butler has dabbed into many different projects. Let’s start off with the one that didn’t work- his solo career. In the late 90s, Bernard release two solo albums – People Move On and Friends & Lovers. Neither made a mark on the record charts. The album did feature the self declarative song I’d Do It Again If I Could which was pretty good.

Despite a lackluster career as a solo artist, Butler had massive success in other projects including his first post-suede project a collaboration with singer Daniel McAlmont. always one for big epic bombastic sounds, Butler was fully able to indulge in his tastes with McAlmont, whose skilled vocal abilities acted as a vessel for listeners, as they were transported to Butlerland, a place where strings and horns are as frequent as guitars and drums. The results were tremendous and two very good albums spawned as well as some top hits, including Yes and Falling.

The next hat Butler wore was that of a producer. By the late 90s, butler was pretty much recognizes as a great musical force within the UK music community. The next decade would bring even more success to Butlers producing career, including The Libertines summer #1 single Don’t Look Back into the Sun. He would also go to produce popular artists such as Duffy, Kate Nash and Fyfe Dangerfield.

Return?
As with many other successful duos that broke up acrimoniously, both Bernard Butler and Brett Amderson realized the errors of their ways and kiss and made up. Instead of rejoining Suede however, Anderson and Butler formed a new band, call The Tears. Minor success ensued. Both men went their seperate ways and when Suede reformed in 2010, Butler politely declined.

Butler is widely recognized as the talent behind Suedes early success and with his post Suede success, it’s hard to argue against that. Still, you can’t help but imagine what great music would have beenade if the two had Stayed Together. (lame, I know)

Bernard Butler – Everyone I Know Is Falling Apart by nghaiarfafa

Flying Solo: Robbie Williams, Take That

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Ricky in Flying Solo | 1 Comment

Flying Solo is an article series taking a look at artists who have left a successful band

Band: Take That
Went Solo: 1996

Any Reason? Despite the strong success of the UK boy band Take That, Robbie Williams always seem to have a bad boy streak in him and the restrictive natures of being in a boy band led him to frequent drug and alcohol abuse. An near overdose before an awards show, frequent creative battles over the groups musical direction with fellow member Gary Barlow and general disinterest in the band eventually led to Williams leaving the band in 1995.

Solo Career
Forget Justin Timberlake, Robbie Williams is easily the most successful ex-boy band solo artist in recent memory. Having sold 57 million records worldwide since 1995, he is probably one of the more successful solo artists period. Although he has had great success, it did take a while for him to get there. His first three singles off debut album Life Thru a Lens (Lazy Days, Old Before I Die, South of the Border) failed to make any sort of significant impact. It didn’t help that rival Gary Barlow had already achieved his second number 1 hit at the time. It would seem that Barlow would be moving on to bigger and better things. Things were looking quite down for Williams.

Then, quite literally, an Angel came along, in the form of his fourth single – Angel, You know this song, I know this song. Chances are, you know the lyrics to this song. It’s a mega song. With one fell swoop, Robbie Williams went from slightly well off musician to mega rich musician. Funny how it works. Anyways, the song launched the singer into the stratosphere and combined with a pretty good follow up singles Let Me Entertain You and Millenium (off his sophomore record), Williams firmly planted himself as the UK pop king. He would later sign a 80 million pound(!!!) deal with EMI to make more records, which sadly, has been of decreasing quality. He did sing with Nicole Kidman before she had her face permanently frozen though, so that is something.

Return
Perhaps it was age, a desire to be more relevant again or a full circle thing, certain circumstances led to Williams to announce that he will be rejoining Take That in 2010. A new album is on the way and obviously, a world tour. Maybe they will write a song as good as Back For Good. I doubt it.

In conclusion, Robbie Williams is probably a good template to follow if you want to break away from a boy band.

Robbie Williams – Angels by nikaia

Solo success-a-meter:

Next Up: Charlotte Hatherly, Ash

Flying Solo: Richard Ashcroft, The Verve

Posted on September 16, 2010 by Ricky in Flying Solo | 4 Comments

Toronto – With the 2010 successes of Brandon Flowers (of the Killers), Julian Casablancas (of the Strokes) and Kele (of the Bloc Party), it would seem that flying solo is more enticing then ever. With that in mind, I have decided to take a look at previous members of successful bands that have gone the same route, and where they ended up. Welcome to my new never-ending sporadic posting series called Flying Solo. Today we will take a look at one Richard Ashcroft, the man behind the band The Verve.

Richard Ashcroft

Band: The Verve
Went Solo:: 2000
Any reason?: It appears that The Verve have always been on shaky ground, mainly due to the relationship between him and Nick McCabe. The band had previously broken up in 1995. They broke up again in 1999, and Richard started preparing material for his solo album that same year.

Solo Career
Richard’s solo career started off on a solid note, as the lead single Song For Lovers charted quite well in many places. This is my favorite Richard Ashcroft song. It’s got amazing string work. Subsequent singles and albums were released to declining success. Primarily, because they weren’t any good. I think all britpop bands died an agonizingly slow death in the 2000s and Richards career was no exception. Richard has released four albums, including United Nation of Sound earlier this year under the new name of RPA & The United Nations of Sound.

Return
Perhaps marred by the lack of solo success, or just the fact that he mellowed out, Richard Ashcroft and Nick McCabe made amends and reformed the Verve in 2007. A worldwide tour followed, including one stop in Toronto, allowing me to personally see one of my favorite bands from the 90s. A headline gig at Glastonbury followed, but all momentum for the reformed Verve was derailed when Fourth, their newly recorded album, failed to meet the high standard of quality that the previous albums had set. They would break up again in 2009.

In conclusion, you could say Richard’s solo career was a a disappointment considering the tour-de-force that the Verve was. If anything, Richard’s lack of success makes Nick McCabe (the other notable driving force in the Verve) look even better. I’m still glad he had the decency to reform the band back in 2007 so for that, I’ll be eternally grateful.

Here is his first single

Richard Ashcroft – Song For Lovers (Prod/Mix) by ZManagement

Just for kicks, I’m going to rate his solo career: