American Songwriter highlights three rock side projects formed when established musicians stepped away from their main bands to experiment, arguing each deserves greater recognition. The piece frames these ventures as creative outlets that let famous artists explore different sounds away from the pressures and expectations tied to their usual work, resulting in music worth revisiting.

– Them Crooked Vultures: Josh Homme, John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl combined their distinct rock pedigrees into a single hard-hitting outfit.
– Blind Faith: a short-lived 1969 supergroup featuring Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech, blending jazz and folk influences before splitting over creative differences; remembered chiefly for "Can't Find My Way Home".
– Tin Machine: David Bowie's late-1980s stripped-down rock project with Reeves Gabrels and Tony Fox Sales, a deliberate departure from his glossier pop hits of the era.