For some reason I was digging deep the other day and pulled out this relic from Dave Davies.
This little number wasn’t very popular back in the early ’80s, but I always thought it rocked pretty hard, compared to Kinks stuff of the same period.
Another bro sideman I like, is Warren Zanes, who was a teenager when he was in Del Fuegos with bro Dan. His Memory Girls album of a few years ago is not well known, but a real nice record. Evidently, Warren works at the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, but there isn’t much on YouTube of his solo stuff, so this will have to do.
A buddy of mine is a strong supporter of David Knopfler, a “founder” of Dire Straits for all that got him: “Wild West End?”This low-rent video is somewhat amusing. I guess Mark figured he didn’t need a sound alike in the band.
So, who’s you favorite brother SIDEMAN?
Simon Townshend has literally been a sideman for the Who, right? I mean, he’s never been a band member but a gun for hire. I wonder how often that’s happened in other bands who have those extra musicians playing in the shadows.
This is tougher than I would have thought. I can readily think of brothers who are bandmates (and sisters who are bandmates) – in a more equal standing: the Stinson boys, the brothers in Radiohead, the Allmans…
A number of soul music siblings are springing to mind, such as the O’Jays, but I’m not sure if they have a dominant-subservient relationship or not, or who’s who.
I will continue to think about this…
New Zealand art-rockers Split Enz, here stealing Devo’s schtick, (OK, maybe a bit harsh) were fronted by Tim Finn with little bro’ Neil helping out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfytdyMy2-k&feature=fvst
Later, when Neil had conquered the world with Crowded House, he got Tim in as HIS sideman. There are Finn Brothers LPs but, having never heard them, I doubt these are as memorable as the Everlys.
Favorite? Gotta be William Reid of The Jesus and Mary Chain.
That’s got to be the best example, with sideman kid brother turning the tables on big brother to boot!
I’ve got one of those Finn Brothers albums. It’s got a few good songs, but I don’t like it as much as the third Crowded House album, when Tim joined the band, or their next one, by which point Tim may have left.
There are two Finn bros. albums and they are very different. They started working on an album together and the Crowded House guys got jealous because they thought they were not getting the good songs, so Tim joined the band and that album became “Woodface.”
The first Finn brothers album is an anti-commercial, oddball affair, with them giving Tchad Blake (engineer for Mitchell Froom in his heyday) free reign.
The second one, “Everyone Is Here” is a much more down-the-middle, commercial affair, clean-cut and tucked in, mixed by Bob Clearmountain.
I wouldn’t say either album was solid all the way through – the second one is more even-keeled but the first one has more highlights (for me).
I’m a fan of the Moxham brothers of Young Marble Giants. Although Stuart wrote most of the songs, it’s Philip’s bass that really resonates for me.
Subservient is a good word for what I am thinking — Tom Fogerty may be another good example. He was a famously bitter boy about Creedence — although he lasted longer in his brother’s band than David Knopfler.
Marshall Crenshaw’s brother was the drummer.
That’s a good one! Robert Crenshaw did some solo records too.
The Kings of Leon are 3 Followill brothers plus a cousin. I recall their songwriting credits are to the group name but I recall that the lead singer and the drummer are the founders.