The Last Shadow Puppets
Side projects are a safe bet. They give a member of a successful band another creative outlet without having to leave his day job. A successful side project is always welcome while failure is manageable.
Miles Kane's band The Little Flames opened for the Arctic Monkeys on their summer '05 and spring '07 tours. Over time, Kane became friends with Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner. Kane even played on Arctic Monkeys' recordings (most notably guitar on "505") and appeared onstage with the group.
Though Kane moved to The Rascals, the idea of doing a project with Turner remained intact. Record producer and musician, James Ford, was added to the mix. He had worked with the Arctic Monkeys on their '07 album "Favourite Worst Nightmare" and was enlisted to play drums and produce.
The Last Shadow Puppets began recording in August, '07, with sessions in France. Subsequent London sessions included an orchestra.
'08 saw the group's first public appearances - a pair of March NYC shows. Their debut album, "The Age Of Understatement" came out the following month. But due to Kane's prior commitment to The Rascals, The Last Shadow Puppets had to delay a supporting tour.
Often when Garage Rock runs into an orchestra, the garage gets flooded. And a lot of times musicians who work with an orchestra start to think they are producing art - not only is this foul notion inhibiting it usually leads to pretentious posturing. Thankfully, "The Age Of Understatement" hangs on to its grit amid the full arrangements. The vocals, which are the key here, retain an unaffected tone and confidence.