FOB

Yesterday, Pete Wentz comes out and releases a story saying he "doesn't know if he'll play in Fall Out Boy ever again" which can be read here:

http://www.nme.com/news/fall-out-boy/49567

As a big Fall Out Boy fan, this of course saddens me. It's almost as if FOB might not come back, which I maintain would be a shame. They're a good band, with two VERY talented members in Patrick Stump (working on a solo album which I can't wait to hear) and Andy Hurley (now drumming in The Damned Things - a metal super-group) who wrote some very catchy tunes, as well as pushing the boundaries of their own musical prowess (on Infinity On High in particular).

But this has got me thinking... Would FOB be any worse without Pete? I mean, don't get me wrong, as a publicist there is no better. Look what he's done with Cobra Starship recently, capitolising on Gabe Saporta's "geek-chic" good looks to push them right into the limelight, and into the path of 15 year-old emo girls. But Wentz is NOT a great musician. He can talk the talk, but only toddle the walk.

His bass lines in FOB were dirt simple, his "screaming" was sub-par on record and even worse live, and his lyrics (while held in high regard amongst some) are nothing but regurgitated phrases, changed round slightly to match his songs or nonsensical drawling that documents his "depression" - probably because of all his money and success and gorgeous wife. So, yes, as a means of becoming famous, Wentz would be missed, but FOB are already famous! If they re-formed without him, it wouldn't make a shred of difference in my mind. Stump writes the songs, Wentz takes the credit, and that's the way it's always been. They find a better bassist (and a better lead guitarist while they're at it) and you've got yourself a much better band, capable of writing and performing better songs than they have now. And hopefully, Patrick Stump will start getting the credit he deserves.

I feel better about the whole hiatus thing now. Don't you?