MaHB Music

There’s something about helming a band that seems to bring out the megalomaniac in a man.
By Zack Yusof

It’s a common perception that rock ‘n’ roll is the quintessential music of freedom, independence and liberation—which is hugely ironic given the fact that some of its greatest music was created by talented but troubled figures who also happened to be tyrannical control freaks.

But while most musicians who are serious about playing in a group sensibly opt to soften their stance and compromise their ideals for the good of the collective—it’s a band, after all—there are those who flat-out refuse to work by committee, choosing instead to rule with the kind of iron-fisted approach that would have impressed even the likes of Napoleon at the height of his powers.

Rock history is littered with dictatorial types who couldn’t make music unless it was totally on their terms. Colonel Tom Parker’s complete and utter control over Elvis was the stuff of legend, while James Brown imposed draconian rules and fined his musicians for everything from tardiness to the wrong notes being played during a live performance. The wacky Don Van Vliet, best known as Captain Beefheart, found that he could achieve his preferred results, musically speaking, by creating a cult-like atmosphere of fear and paranoia, and singling out his young, malnourished band members for psychological abuse during daily 14-hour rehearsals in a remote location. Later, they admitted suffering lasting emotional trauma as a result of their experience working with him.

More recently, Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher insisted on being called “The Chief” by his bandmates, just in case someone forgot who was in charge, or so it would seem. Elsewhere, Axl Rose, fingered by many as the main architect of Guns N’ Roses’ slow descent from important band to laughing stock, was another one of those unlikely to hold a band meeting when decisions had to be made. In the end, Rose’s antics as band leader were so obnoxious and inexcusable—ranging from announcing the band’s collective drug problems on stage mid-set to hiring backup musicians without informing his bandmates—he remains the only original member of the band left today.

Even in alternative rock circles, the music tyrant reigns supreme. Gavin Rossdale of Bush remains firmly in charge by simply refusing to allow his bandmates to contribute any songs of their own, while Mark E Smith’s relentless hiring and firing of musicians from The Fall has actually been documented in a tell-all book The Fallen: Searching for Members of The Fall by one of the many musicians who went through the group’s ranks. To date, there have been 66 members of The Fall and counting!

Having kicked around in bands since those formative teenage years spent jamming away in the classroom after school, this writer can safely testify with hand on heart that a true democracy within any group—rock or otherwise—rarely ever exists. Every circle needs a centre and your stereotypical rock band is no different.