Favorite Side Projects #5 - Tin Machine

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Musicians form side projects for many reasons, usually to satisfy a creative need to get music that does not fit their main band out there. Tin Machine's purpose was a bit different, however, and they are #5 in this countdown. Feeling a bit in need of rejuvenation after the critical failure of his album, Never Let Me Down, and subsequent Glass Spider tour (which was awesome, critics be damned,) David Bowie formed Tin Machine (Bowie on vocals, guitarist Reeves Gabrels, bassist Tony Sales, and drummer Hunt Sales) in 1988, releasing two studio and one live album before going their separate ways in 1992. Bowie was insistent that Tin Machine was an actual band instead of a "David Bowie and a backup band" project. All four wrote and profits were distributed equally. Each member gave interviews, and if Bowie was the interviewee, he made sure to bring another band member with him. Essentially, the hard rocking band transformed Bowie into an arena rock artist, a far cry from the mainstream popularity he had achieved in the 80's. I've linked to a live performance of the band's second single, "Under the God," in Japan. Frankly, it rocks! Enjoy! (Info verified by Wikipedia)