In 2002, I never thought The Strokes Julian Casablancas would make a solo album. I remember reading an interview with him, where he said, “I'd make a solo album, but it'd end up sounding the same, because I'd use these guys as the backup musicians.” Seven years later, Phrazes For The Young is released and he makes a guest appearance on The Lonely Island track, Boombox. Actually, three fifths of The Strokes had solo careers after First Impressions of Earth. This is just to be assumed in bands now - new band equals new solo album three to five years later.

I understand that if a band ever takes a hiatus or breaks up, sure, musicians need to eat too. I just wish it wasn't so predictable. Noel Gallagher is set to start his solo project after disbanding from Oasis (I'm still not over that), Kele Oereke of Bloc Party is devoting his life to dance music for the next few years. Even Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails had some solo work... impressive, considering he's a one-man-band to begin with.

The list goes on; Maynard James Keenan (Tool), Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy), Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace), John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers). Hey, remember that time Nicole Scherzinger tried a solo career but it flopped so hard that she ran back to the group? Good times.

Why can't we just be happy as a group? When you form a band, why can't you just stick with that route for a decade or two? Forty years ago, bands didn't take “breaks,” they were either making music, or broken up or dead. I understand musicians have feelings too, and they have their own music to express said feelings, I just don't see why there has to be a press conference every time one of them wants to record something. Your fame came from being in a band. Let's not forget this. So why do you have to assault the devotion of every fan by saying, “Enough of that, I was the lead singer, this will also be awesome, except without people mooching off my success.” I'm not incorrect, a majority of the time it's the vocalist who breaks off. I'm willing to bet the ratio of drummer to vocalist solo albums is a bit dramatic.

Maybe I'm just a bit old-fashioned, I've just long since run out of the time and patience to peddle through every byproduct one of my favourite band produces.