Because guitarist Josh Farro–last seen likening Hillary Clinton to the monsters lurking in his closet–is now getting pissy about the outsized amount of attention the press gives to his band’s orange-haired belter Hayley Williams: “We are a team, we are a band. It’s not just Hayley, it’s not her band. Just because she’s the lead singer doesn’t mean she’s the only one involved. We all put our hearts into this. … I think in the beginning the problem was that all the press focused completely and solely on her. All anyone knew was this little red-headed chick called Hayley. They didn’t know our faces or our names. But now us guys are getting involved in a lot more press. We prefer it this way.” Well, that certainly accelerates the timetable for the instrumentalists’ solo records, doesn’t it! And for those of you who don’t remember the exact plot of the video for No Doubt’s power ballad–hint: it involved the dudes in the band feeling miffed over its Gwen-centric press coverage!–it’s after the jump.
(That key change in the bridge still gets me every time, BTW.)
No Doubt - Don’t Speak [YouTube]
Paramore - We’re Not A One-Woman Band! [Gigwise]
[Photo: Getty]
Do I remember reading a while back that, even though the whole band (No Doubt, of course) were in on the “joke” in the video, making it actually made the situation worse for the guys, because even the director wanted to put “too much” focus on Gwen?
Do I remember that right, or am I on the pipe again?
Hate to break it to him but he’s just the schmuck playing guitar, shes the singer and the object of desire for both the girls who want to be her, and the guys who want to fuck her.
Having been in a band with a frontwoman myself in highschool, either he is going to have to deal with it and realize he will never be as famous as her…. or just quit. Because i will never end.
The internet is nothing but tubes and pipes my friend, and we’re all on it.
The boys in the band need to suck it up, sex appeal is always going to rule the interest lines. Take the Donna’s for example, you don’t hear the boys in the band complaining about the hot singer getting all the attention do you? No you don’t sir!
They ‘get’ it.
He’s got a point; I put the band’s album and single on my Idolator poll ballot, and even I don’t remember the name of anyone in the band besides Hayley Williams. I don’t even remember his name 30 seconds after scrolling down from it. And a lot of what I like about the band is the backing music, not just her vocals. But yeah, he should’ve resigned himself to this fate back when they started practicing in the garage with a cute female singer, regardless of what level of success they’d achieve.
ha. i didn’t even know the girl’s name until i read this. deal with that, pissy guitar player.
I bet he’s the one in the picture making peace signs. Am I right?
You’ll notice she’s making the two finger stinger sign, not quite there. No back door action for this young lady.
@Tenno: +1 for the Donnas crack.
If I were the editor at SPIN, just to complete the cycle, I’d book an interview with Paramore and a photo session with Hayley, stat.
With the noted exception of Guitar Player magazine I don’t think an editor has ever said “no, skip the lead singer, just get the guitarist for the feature, I’m sure the world will recognize him on the cover all by himself.”
@Adam Bernard: i’m gonna invoke the wentz exception here.
also, what about eddie van halen?
the only thing about wentz/van halen is that they thrust themselves to the front of the groups from the beginning whereas this dude is like “why doesn’t anyone care about me :(”
(obv now he’s actively trying to get to the limelight but too little too late it seems)
@Maura Johnston: Or perpetual talking head Scott Ian.
@Adam Bernard: Keith Richards, Jimi Page, Pete Townshend, Slash…
I’m sure if they had an ugly male lead singer they wouldn’t be asked to do any interviews at all… so there’s that.
@Dead Air ummm Dead Air: JUst to clear the air, I would so go out with any of the Donna’s, bar none.
That they’d probably leave me naked on the highway notwithstanding, still worth every second.
Dude should have a long chat with Blake Sennett.
You know, this got me thinking, I have some tips for this jolly lad.
1) Well, you’re fucked mate. Your singer has BRIGHT FUCKING HAIR right off the bat, and I’m just assuming you’re the twat making finger puppets like a japanese Akibahara freak which means you’re the one sporting the silly hat. Keep it man, in 3 years when (whats her name? Hayleyiy? iy?), Hayallwecareabout is on her second solo album with her 4 Japanese back-up dancers/fashion items and marketing her new clothing line (I’m betting on HayJayJay!) you’ll need it for prime quarters and nickels real estate on the cold, winter streets when you play for the plurbs.
2) Do what she does! Wear a red shirt. Then at least once in every interview, they’ll ask you, “Why are you wearing that red shirt?” And you’ll be like, “I’m the funny one!” Just like the Beatles, except talentless.
3) Well I didn’t really think this out, so I’m done here.
4) If you’ve read this far, you should add me as a friend, I am lonely and shallow.
Elsewhere, one of the dudes from Slipknot is all “WE ARE ALL SO MUCH *sniff* MORE THAN OUR MASKS!!!”
@Maura Johnston: OK, I forgot about Fallout Boy (how many people here wish they could say that!). As per Eddie Van Halen… it’s definitely close between him and David Lee Roth.
And J Fury - I’m still taking Mick Jaggar and Axl Rose over their guitarists. Despite how great their guitarists are lead singers just make for better interviews. They just seem to be more open and reveal more.
Richie Sambora?
BTW, I totally want that singer.
We also have to remember that the ppl saying this are just kids, are the guys in Paramore even 21?? And when they’ve had their success, toured the world, fought with her, half of them quit, and then watch as the new line-up release their hotly-anticipated yet poorly received failure of a sophomore album, the ones who left the group will be laughing all the way from their lavish suites at Promises in Malibu.
If they can give Amy Lee a call before this all blows up in their faces, they may have a shot at longevity…
Keep in mind that the aforementioned guitarists became prominent spokespeople for the band in an era where guitar rock was on top. Extended guitar solos, blazing fretboard pyrotechnics, and so on. And they are also mostly guitarists who were original enough that they substantially changed rock music.
I’ve heard Paramore but don’t recall enough about their sound to remember what they sound like. I’m pretty sure that in 20 years Josh Farro will not be ranked up with Page, Van Halen, Clapton, etc etc. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I’m sure he’s a perfectly competent musician, but for someone other than the frontman to take the media spotlight they have to have the makings of a truly legendary talent.
@HONEYBFLY: Agreed on the Amy Lee comment, but FYI - Riot! is their sophomore album.
Didn’t ‘Til Tuesday have this problem as well?
@Adam Bernard: Ah, eenteresting. Thx for the 411….I suppose this means that a follow-up record is inevitable. How unfortunate…
Lead singers, regardless of their gender, tend to be remembered more by the public than the rest of the band. Can the average person name a band member besides the lead vocalist of, for example, the Rolling Stones, U2, Foo Fighters, etc.? Sometimes the lead guitarist can make a name for himself, but they have to be exceptional with the ax and a bit of an eccentric on stage.