When popular bands break up or suffer some other unfortunate end, the members have a few choices. They form a completely new band, produce up and coming bands, or just sit on their fat dumper and retire to some ocean side home.

But sometimes, when a couple of bands call it a day, they decide to partake in none of the options just mentioned. In some cases, the various members of the band decide to form what’s known as a “supergroup.” Now, in order to form a supergroup, a band should have at least 2 members from previously popular and/or respected bands. They must also say that their new project is “100 million times better” than their old band; but let’s face it; most of the time, the parts of the supergroup do not add up to the power of their original bands.

Recently, a new hard rock supergroup formed as Vinnie Paul of Pantera joined forces with the lead singer of Mudvayne, Chad Gray. The group, titled “Hellyeah,” might have one of the worst band names since “Hoobastank” but the first indications are that the project could be very strong.

But as I contemplate Hellyeah’s fate and future, I had a chance to remember how some other so-called supergroups fared. So, prepare to take a look of past and present supergroups, and my rating for each of these groups, on the Return to Glory Scale (With 1 being the equivalent to the cast of “Biodome” forming a group, and 10 being the equivalent of Slayer and Lamb of God forming a group):

Bad English (1989): This featured Journey guitarist Neil Schon (not the fugly Steve Perry), and 80s soft rocker John Waite. Boy, did this suck! All I remember is a ghastly power ballad, “When I See You Smile,” and they were never heard from again. Return to Glory Rating: 2

Damn Yankees (1990-1993): Imagine Tommy Shaw from Styx, some dude from Night Ranger, and the Motor City Cradle Robber, Ted Nugent, in a group together? Doesn’t sound horrible - and it really could have been a hell of a lot worse. “High Enough” is a classic cheeseball power ballad at its best, and songs like “Coming Of Age” weren’t half bad either. But by the time their sophomore album came out, the band were already hating each other, and went back to their respective dull groups.

Return to Glory Rating: 5

Temple of the Dog (1992): Is this really a supergroup if the band made the album before any of the members later formed Soundgarden and Pearl Jam and got famous? On a technicality, I guess it is. With songs like “Hunger Strike” and “Say Hello To Heaven,” Chris Cornell’s voice shines on this record. Temple may be the one group where people still clamor for a follow up:

Return to Glory Rating: N/A

Velvet Revolver (2002-Current): Mix three members of Guns and Roses, and Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and you have the greatest supergroup of all time, right? Well, their debut Contraband showed real potential, but didn’t capture all of the fire of the previous bands. Their second album is due out this year, and perhaps Libertad will finally shows us what Velvet Revolver has what it takes to be the greatest supergroup of all time.

Return to Glory Rating: 8

Audioslave (2001- Present): Chris Cornell is doing the supergroup thing again; this time with the rhythm section of Rage Against the Machine. Their self titled debut was predictable, but dependable with tracks like “Show Me How To Live” and “Gasoline.” But the band has dropped out considerably in their last two albums. The band has showed moments of rock domination, but Cornell’s venture into slow tempo material has hurt the group.

Return to Glory Rating: 6

There are plenty of other supergroups that have existed throughout the years, and countless others claiming to be supergroups, that are not. At this moment, groups like Army of Anyone (Other members of Stone Temple Pilots and Filter lead singer Richard Patrick) are struggling to hear their voices heard; or just pimp themselves to some lame TV idea (think Rockstar: Supernova).

So remember, if you’re in a band and that band breaks up, choose your new band mates very wisely. Or else you could be on a TV show with Tommy Lee calling you dude 80 times in 10 seconds, on a weekly basis.