A Musician’s Family Tree From The Smiths to Modest Mouse

I’ve always thought it would make a wonderful book to have a list of ‘musicians family trees’. Now that I’ve given it more thought, I think it would make for a brilliant website. So…I wondered what sort of interest there may be?

To have a searchable and linkable website that lists all band members and producers for as many bands/artists as possible. The possibilities are endless, but for example Johnny Marr. Everyone knows Johnny Marr started the Smiths with S P Morrissey, in turn many people know he is now officially a member of Modest Mouse. How about in-between? He’s such a unique guitarist that he has formed groups (Electronic) and worked as a guest guitarist with a myriad of acts, including The Pretenders, The The, Talking Heads, Billy Bragg and even formed his own band in 2003 (Johnny Marr and the Healers).

Sinead O’Connor is another great example, apart from her solo releases (Smiths tie-in here…do you know it?) her wonderful voice has guested on countless other discs over the years. Jah Wobble, James, The Chieftains, Peter Gabriel are amongst the acts she has performed with.

I think it would be a wonderful website for music collectors and also open up doors to enjoying others acts by finding out about collaborations and artist history. I also feel that producers would be useful. I found it odd that Ian Broudie seemed to produce every other album I adored from 1979-1989 prior to the Lightning Seeds. He worked at the controls for The Bunnymen, The Fall, Frazier Chorus, Wild Swans (I think), Alison Moyet, Terry Hall, Primitives and the list goes on. No wonder his own band came so much later!

Just a thought – a project like this might be fun – and it would be popular – but I’d love to know what interest there might be be – and I’m sure assistance would be beneficial. As for me, a borderline obsessive music collector who has turned his hobby into an online store – see my website at www.undergrounddiscs.com

Let me know what you think of the idea.