Constantine goes solo!

It's official: Constantine Maroulis left his band, Pray for the Soul of Betty, "due to both creative and business reasons." Finally! They've been riding his coat-tails and trying to damper his solo pursuits for way too long now.

Craig Taylor, the bass guitarist and primary band spokesman, is nothing more than a greedy, manipulative Narcissus, who can't handle the fact that "his lead singer" actually has more potential, power and raw talent than the Almighty Taylor himself. The band and their fans (also known as "Betties") blindly recite their unconditional-non-hierarchical-peace-and-love mantras... which have an ironic way of completely dissapating within seconds.

Of course there was mass hysteria in Betty-land, but that's to be expected. Though the reactions of the band and the fans to Constantine's resignation were (unsurprisingly) disgusting and juvenile, they were positive in the sense that they reinforced that his decision is the right one. True friends encourage one another in dreams and goals... they don't run rabid with irate jealousy and manipulation.

I knew that a break-up was inevitable after exchanging several e-mails with Taylor (yes, back in the day before the band was "big", we wrote back and forth a few times) over artistic developtment and integrity. Sure, art is expression, whether it be lyrical, instrumental, on canvas, through words, through movement... but expression is only a small part of Art as a whole. Art is about expressing, learning, developing and refining. This absolutely doesn't mean that an artist is to base his art on what the times demand, or cater to the audience, or be a record-label puppet. I'm referring more to personal developement.

The Beatles wouldn't have lasted as long had they produced nothing but cheesy love songs, as they did during the beginning stage. Sure, their cheesy love songs are one-of-a-kind-classics, but things change. With the unwinding of time and with new experiences come new ways of thinking and expression.

Another important part of being an artist that Taylor unfortunately was unable to deal with is constructive criticism. Most artists use their art to express something, to convey a message to the masses through some aesthetic means. Criticism is natural. Taylor and the band lost many fans, especially intelligent and musically experienced fans who saw some minor weak points and offered suggestions hoping to help the band. Unfortunately, our volatile Narcissus couldn't accept any sort of criticism, and is now without a lead singer.

I've always admired that fact that Constantine can take criticism and seeks to improve himself as a singer and performer. Does this make him impressionable? Maybe, to a certain extent. But this is where the artist must find balance: on the one hand, he must remain true to his personal convictions and the message he wants to impart. On the other hand, outside, unbiased constructive criticism is necessary. Heeding these outside suggestions will only help the artist better relate his message in the long run.

For example, if a writer continuously spells simple words incorrectly, his writing won't be taken seriously. If a singer sings out of key or mispronounces words, he'll be seen as a joke.

All that to say... I think that Constantine understands what Art is. Studying at Boston Conservatory has given him a solid background and (hopefully!) the ability to find a balanced and effective way of communicating through his music and theatrical roles.

He's versatile, talented and intelligent... and it's about time he cut the cord with anyone wanting to hold him back.