Hello again! I want to know if there are any recording artists that were marketed as (faux) bands/groups at the beginning of their career and whether that's a good move?
I think the male bands are better regarded than male solo singers (especially in rock music). So I want to know if there's a possibility for a male artist to mark his pop-rock or rock songs as a band instead?

Note: I'm not talking about bands that are mistaken for solo artists due to bearing the name of their front man/woman. (e.g. Sandra).

Some bands that are bands are really just one guy.  For example:  can you name a member of Maroon 5 that isn't Adam Levine? lol

Not sure if this qualifies, but Todd Rundgren went by "Runt" at the start of his career. Even though "Runt" was an actual band, he pretty much ran the show. I'll let Whistledog or Henk confirm if this qualifies or not.

Owl City is pretty much just Adam Young, even though he has a touring band that puts on an epic show.

Not sure if this qualifies, but Todd Rundgren went by "Runt" at the start of his career. Even though "Runt" was an actual band, he pretty much ran the show. I'll let Whistledog or Henk confirm if this qualifies or not.




That one definately qualifies.

The first "band" that comes to mind would be The The, which I feel has simply been a moniker for Matt Johnson (solo) from the get-go.

I'm not entirely sure if this is what you're looking for, because technically, The The have been a band - or at least something of a band - at various stages of their career, the only constant member being Matt Johnson.

The first "band" that comes to mind would be The The, which I feel has simply been a moniker for Matt Johnson (solo) from the get-go.

I'm not entirely sure if this is what you're looking for, because technically, The The have been a band - or at least something of a band - at various stages of their career, the only constant member being Matt Johnson.


They definately count.  The only other member of The The I could name is Johnny Marr, but he was only with them briefly in the late 80s and early 90s

Nine Inch Nails

Gloria Estefan (and the Miami Sound Machine)?

Enya (is actually a band comprising of Enya, Nicky Ryan and Roma Ryan in a creative and business partnership) so I guess that qualifies as the opposite to this topic, eh?

Guns N' Roses should really be called the Axl Rose Orchestra.  ;D

Sade (band named after lead singer Sade Adu):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP3D0ZVc0nw

Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5m8lj5DCtI

^ I could've sworn Sade was a female soloist.

Anyways...there is confusion about the music act Nena, of "99 Luftballoons" fame. Singer Gabrielle Kerner acquired the nickname 'Nena' during her childhood, and then later formed a band with the same name. The band Nena consisted of other members, all guys, who played instruments. Later on, after the band broke up, the singer kept the name for herself.

The same could apply to Blondie, which was a nickname for singer Deborah Harry due to her hair, but the name stuck with the band.

As for the question posed in the thread title, I could think of a few... which would qualify as "one person bands"...

M (of "Pop Muzik" fame)
White Town (90's one hit wonder with "Your Woman"; sole member is Jyoti Mishra, India-born/British-based male musician)
Five For Fighting

Maroon 5 & Panic @ Tha Disco

In the 70s there was the T. Rex, which was essentially a vehicle for the late great Marc Bolan.  If they are too far before your time you owe it to yourself to check them out. In the 80s came the Waterboys who still go strong today, but the name the Waterboys is just a vehicle for whatever Mike Scott happens to be doing at the time and whoever he happens to be working with. More recently there is Iron & Wine which is basically just Sam Beam.

In the 70s there was the T. Rex, which was essentially a vehicle for the late great Marc Bolan.  If they are too far before your time you owe it to yourself to check them out. In the 80s came the Waterboys who still go strong today, but the name the Waterboys is just a vehicle for whatever Mike Scott happens to be doing at the time and whoever he happens to be working with. More recently there is Iron & Wine which is basically just Sam Beam.
Side tracking a little bit here, I went to the location of the memorial for car crash Marc Bolan was killed the other day, is is located on a busy road and I could not get a decent photo without standing in the road itself, it was dangerous to stand there.

Side tracking a little bit here, I went to the location of the memorial for car crash Marc Bolan was killed the other day, is is located on a busy road and I could not get a decent photo without standing in the road itself, it was dangerous to stand there.


I love Bolan. I saw T. Rex live back in 1973. People KNEW how to be stars in those days.  ;D  ;)  8)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzXD3sEzqUY

I love Bolan. I saw T. Rex live back in 1973. People KNEW how to be stars in those days.  ;D  ;)  8)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzXD3sEzqUY
O0

O0


I can always tell when someone is from the UK. Bolan is practically the patron saint over there for people "of a certain age" who were young when he was in his heyday.  He wasn't as big over here, but those of us who were hip knew him. ;)

I can always tell when someone is from the UK. Bolan is practically the patron saint over there for people "of a certain age" who were young when he was in his heyday.  He wasn't as big over here, but those of us who were hip knew him. ;)
when I was at school, Marc Bolan was at his prime, and one classmate was obsessed with him, I have no idea what happened to him when we left school.

Some might say the band Simply Red.  Singer Mick Hucknall is the face, voice and songwriter of the band and the only original member still in it

Some could also argue Culture Club.  They are 100% a band and all 4 current members have been there since day one, have all been involved in the writing of the songs, and have appeared on the album covers and singles.  At the end of the day though, none of the other members have had a real noticeable presence vocally, and their recent 2018 release was credited to Boy George and Culture Club

Scottish rock band Texas.  3 of the current members have been there since day one, but through almost all of their albums, lead singer Sharleen Spiteri has been the face of this band

Some might say the band Simply Red.  Singer Mick Hucknall is the face, voice and songwriter of the band and the only original member still in it



Oh yeah, I was thinkin' of that too.

Just like Iva Davies in the Australian band Icehouse. He's been the only permanent member in the band's 40+ year history, serving as lead vocalist the whole time.