The Sum Is More Than The Parts

[ 0 ] October 13, 2009 | NewRockstarPhilosophy

The best bands are worth more than the sum of their parts. The singer can’t make it alone, but when joined with the drummer, they become something bigger. Each member adds to the whole to help make it something truly special. The Smashing Pumpkins are/were a prime example. Billy, James, D’arcy, and Jimmy were a force to be reckoned with. These days it’s clear that the Pumpkins were much greater together than broken apart.

Another prime example is Led Zeppelin. Yes, each surviving member has contributed to music after Zep, but not like they used to. Examining the band will show you that everyone involved had accomplished impressive things prior to Zep but together they created something that was worth far more than anyone could have dreamed of.

Everyone in a band has something to contribute. Bringing music to your band and enforcing your vision of a song is one way to do it, but often we get unexpected (and in my experience greater) results when everyone helps out. Alone you can only get so far.