Plenty of musicians join more than one band throughout their careers, but most of them end up being associated with just one band. That's why Paul McCartney is always referred to as a member of the Beatles, and not a member of Wings. However, there are some artists who are lucky enough to have been members of two different bands that are equally as famous or influential. Here are five artists that are equally known for two different bands.
1. Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat/Fugazi)
Since he began playing music as a teenager in the late 70s, Ian MacKaye has been in a great number of bands, his latest being the Evens with his girlfriend Amy Farina. However, MacKaye's most famous and influential band is a toss up between Minor Threat and Fugazi. Minor Threat started the straight edge punk movement and is considered one of the most important bands of American hardcore, while Fugazi practically invented post-hardcore, and remains the living embodiment of the indie rock DIY ethos.
2. Glenn Danzig (Misfits/Danzig)
If there's a missing link between late '70s punk and early '80s hardcore, it would be Glenn Danzig's Misfits, which was formed in 1977 and went on to be one of the most iconic punk bands in American history. Though plenty of people can recognize the Misfits logo, even if they've never heard the Misfits, there are probably more people who are familiar with the actual music of Glenn Danzig's metal band, Danzig.
3. Eric Clapton (Cream/Derek & the Dominos)
Eric Clapton first rose to fame as the guitarist for the Yardbirds, and though the band is legendary, I don't think there are too many people these days that are actually familiar with its music. Instead, the earliest of Clapton's music that people actually know is his work with Cream, the short-lived psych-blues power trio. After Cream he was briefly a member of Blind Faith, and then in 1970 he formed yet another legendary band, Derek & the Dominos. Though Derek & the Dominos didn't have as many hit songs as Cream (they only had one album), "Layla" is probably the single most famous song that Clapton's performed with anyone.
4. Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters)
After the traumatic disintegration of Nirvana, Dave Grohl could have easily faded into obscurity like bassist Krist Novoselic, and he nearly did: his debut Foo Fighters album was recorded without the intention of a proper release. However, Grohl eventually decided to sign with Capitol Records, sending Foo Fighters on its way to becoming a multi-platinum act. The band may not be as acclaimed or influential as Nirvana, but it's still one of the biggest bands in the world today.
5. Damon Albarn (Blur/Gorillaz)
In recent interviews to promote his solo album Everyday Robots, Damon Albarn has remarked on how plenty of people know his music, but not everyone knows who he is. This is certainly true in America, where his band Blur was never a great commercial success, and although his alternative hip-hop project Gorillaz released a few hit singles, its "virtual band" concept purposely casts Albarn as a behind-the-scenes figure.
What other artists are equally known for two different bands? Let us know in the comments section!
