A multitude of news sources are reporting this week that the White Stripes are set to split in 2006 — but is it accurate?
Jack White, half of the duo, announced earlier this year that he was forming a new band with longtime friend Brendan Benson, but in a recent Rolling Stone interview, Jack stated that the White Stripes were not at risk. Unfortunately, that segment of the interview is not excerpted on the website.
However, news sources are blaring headlines this week that the White Stripes are set to split next year, though the text of the stories tell a different tale — that of a break from the current band, who are currently touring in Europe in support of their latest release, Get Behind Me Satan. A break does not a break-up make, so what's the real story?
The new band, christened The Raconteurs, consists of White, Benson, and Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler of the Greenhornes, who have been touring with the White Stripes.
So the question remains — are these the end times for the White Stripes? There is no answer for that right now, but as a WS fan, I choose to take it on faith that they'll keep playing as long as they've got something to say, and to hell with headlines of doom.
The LegendaryMonkey is also Alisha Karabinus, a writer and blogger in Little Rock, Arkansas. Find out more at Sudden Nothing.
Article comments
1 - Zach
Sounds to me like the same crap NME, etc. has been blaring since, oh, 2002. Personally, after hearing the new record and seeing them in Detroit this month, I feel like they've got at least a couple more (fantastic) albums in them.
2 - LegendaryMonkey
Ditto -- I caught them in St. Louis and they were fantastic. It was just a heart-stopping moment when I read those headlines and got a little pissy when I read the actual stories.
Of course, my headline wasn't much better... oh, the hypocrisy!
3 - Jacko
In an interview with an NPR station in SoCal, Jack said that the new band would go in parallel with the Stripes. He and Meg are NOT breaking up the band.
4 - LegendaryMonkey
That's what he said in Rolling Stone as well. Yay for media sensationalism.
5 - Guppusmaximus
Considering the White Stripes aren't complex in their musical and lyrical structure, I don't see a real issue with having two bands. Granted, I think WS sux big time... I would love to see what Jack would do with actual musicians instead of some "Ringo Starr" timekeeper alone on her drums... It amazes me at what crap gets popular these days.
6 - stu
ws my favourite band of all time. if they ever stop making music ill be sad. wasnt very happy to receive about 50 google alerts all saying ws where splitting. thankyou jack you've said just what i needed to hear. i jus now started to listen to the greenhornes. this band IS gonna be amazing. TOO.
7 - LisaSays
Thanks, I know, I'm getting sick of the sensationalism, its all hoopla. This is going to rock--Jack White with 2 musical outlets--though one at a time.
8 - Pablo III
I know jack will play with both bands, he won't let us down.
III
9 - SonHouse III
i`d say jack will just keep it as a side project, i hope his focus isn`t changed
10 - Rox
WS rule. THey aren't breaking up. Just taking a Year off : )
11 - Rae
I think that the white strieps are the best abnd in the world and I think that if they break-up it will be a big disappointment to many fans. THe white stripes are my life!