The Dismemberment Plan and A Perfect Circle both announced reunion tours today, marking a continued trend in bands I love getting back together. '90s icons of the underground are reclaiming venues across the country (OK, APC's first album came out in 2000, but I'm working towards something, OK?).
Some of my favorites bands from the punk and alternative genres have recently reformed. Most are sticking to the "play the hits" mindset (Face to Face, Sunny Day Real Estate, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Cap'N Jazz, Kid Dynamite, and even Lifetime from a few years back), while a few are releasing new material (The Get Up Kids, Hot Water Music, and allegedly My Bloody Valentine). Yeah, some of these bands shouldn't have reformed (Stone Temple Pilots. I'd include Hole and Smashing Pumpkins, but those bands exist in name only), but for the most part, right now is a really good time for music fans from yesteryear.
The dual announcement of Dismemberment Plan and APC has got me all types of excited (Even though APC isn't coming anywhere near Pennsylvania). Dismemberment Plan inspired the name of my college band, Emergency & I. Their dance-punk fury is mighty fine. APC, meanwhile, left behind two haunting alt-rock masterpieces. Mer de Noms has all the hits, but I honestly prefer the more haunting, slow burn of follow-up Thirteenth Step. This news has also got me thinking about what reunions I'd like to see:
Jawbreaker
Why it would rock: They're one of my favorite punk bands. They'll always be one of my favorite punk bands. And they kept getting better with each record. I know the fear with reunions is that you can't recapture magic, but Blake Schwarzenbach did good work with Jets to Brazil and forgetters. Chris Bauermeister was in m.f.-ing Shorebirds. And given all the work Adam Pfahler has put in to preserving JB's legacy, it's clear that he wants this to happen.
Why it probably won't happen: Considering how much forgetters have fought to avoid blowing up, Schwarzenbach seems awfully reticent to jeopardize his reputation or cash in. I respect that, and Jawbreaker tickets would probably sell out before I could get one anyway, but man this would be awesome...
Discount
Why it would rock: Before there was Paramore, Discount was the prime source of female-fronted pop-punk. They left behind a perfect discography - emotionally in line with Jawbreaker. Allison Mosshart went on to bigger success with The Kills and The Dead Weather, so I know she can still put on a good show.
Why it probably won't happen: Shit, considering how big Dead Weather has gotten, I'm not even sure if The Kills are getting back together, let alone Discount.
Jawbox:
Why it would rock: Jawbox technically did already reunite, for a one-off on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, so I already know that they've still got it, and what they've got is a discography crammed with some of the best post-hardcore songs of the '90s.
Why it probably won't happen: Frontman J. Robbins' song Callum has a genetic motor neuron disease, meaning J.'s full-time job is being a parent. Even if Jawbox got back together, they could never do a full tour with Callum's condition. Which is why I will volunteer to babysit, provided I get to see at least one Jawbox show.
Sleater-Kinney
Why it would rock: Because they rock so damn hard (The Woods) but write the best hooks (All Hands on the Bad One). Because they write songs about things I care about ("I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone"). Because they kept getting better with each record. Because I didn't get into them until right before they broke up. Some things just aren't fair.
Why it probably won't happen: Corin Tucker is a committed mother. Janet Weiss moved on to other bands. Carrie Brownstein has a TV show now. Even if the band got back together, they'd probably do a quick West coast jaunt, and that's of no use to me.
Fugazi
Why it would rock: You know that idealized version in your head of what a punk band should sound and be like? That's Fugazi.
Why it probably won't happen: While its members are still musically active, they don't keep the kind of intense schedule Fugazi did. I just don't think they have the energy anymore.
Refused
Why it would rock: Um, have you heard "New Noise?"
Why it probably won't happen: They're fighting the reunion rumors pretty hard lately, and I have a tendency to believe people's words.
At the Drive-In
Why it would rock: Sparta is too predictable and The Mars Volta is too formless, but their combined sensibilities made for a fine blend of punk. And they went out on one hell of a high note.
Why it probably won't happen: Because Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala love drugs too much.
The Promise Ring
Why it would rock: Because they wrote some of the catchiest indie rock jams of the '90s, then wrote one of the most beautiful mellow rock albums of the '00s. Their discography is perfect, and frontman Davey von Bohlen is essentially doing the same thing now with Maritime.
Why it probably won't happen: von Bohlen isn't keen on reunions. Plus, TPR had already changed like half of its lineup before its last album. There's no guarantee this would be a legit reunion anyway.
Crime in Stereo
Why it would rock: DRUGWOLF FOREVER.
Why it probably won't happen: Because they just broke up. But they are gonna do a farewell tour!!!
Weezer back when they were good
Why it would rock: They already said they were gonna do a "Blue Album"/Pinkerton tour, why not just bring back Matt Sharp?
Why it probably won't happen: Because Weezer has no idea what good music sounds like anymore.
Some of my favorites bands from the punk and alternative genres have recently reformed. Most are sticking to the "play the hits" mindset (Face to Face, Sunny Day Real Estate, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Cap'N Jazz, Kid Dynamite, and even Lifetime from a few years back), while a few are releasing new material (The Get Up Kids, Hot Water Music, and allegedly My Bloody Valentine). Yeah, some of these bands shouldn't have reformed (Stone Temple Pilots. I'd include Hole and Smashing Pumpkins, but those bands exist in name only), but for the most part, right now is a really good time for music fans from yesteryear.
The dual announcement of Dismemberment Plan and APC has got me all types of excited (Even though APC isn't coming anywhere near Pennsylvania). Dismemberment Plan inspired the name of my college band, Emergency & I. Their dance-punk fury is mighty fine. APC, meanwhile, left behind two haunting alt-rock masterpieces. Mer de Noms has all the hits, but I honestly prefer the more haunting, slow burn of follow-up Thirteenth Step. This news has also got me thinking about what reunions I'd like to see:
Jawbreaker
Why it would rock: They're one of my favorite punk bands. They'll always be one of my favorite punk bands. And they kept getting better with each record. I know the fear with reunions is that you can't recapture magic, but Blake Schwarzenbach did good work with Jets to Brazil and forgetters. Chris Bauermeister was in m.f.-ing Shorebirds. And given all the work Adam Pfahler has put in to preserving JB's legacy, it's clear that he wants this to happen.
Why it probably won't happen: Considering how much forgetters have fought to avoid blowing up, Schwarzenbach seems awfully reticent to jeopardize his reputation or cash in. I respect that, and Jawbreaker tickets would probably sell out before I could get one anyway, but man this would be awesome...
Discount
Why it would rock: Before there was Paramore, Discount was the prime source of female-fronted pop-punk. They left behind a perfect discography - emotionally in line with Jawbreaker. Allison Mosshart went on to bigger success with The Kills and The Dead Weather, so I know she can still put on a good show.
Why it probably won't happen: Shit, considering how big Dead Weather has gotten, I'm not even sure if The Kills are getting back together, let alone Discount.
Jawbox:
Why it would rock: Jawbox technically did already reunite, for a one-off on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, so I already know that they've still got it, and what they've got is a discography crammed with some of the best post-hardcore songs of the '90s.
Why it probably won't happen: Frontman J. Robbins' song Callum has a genetic motor neuron disease, meaning J.'s full-time job is being a parent. Even if Jawbox got back together, they could never do a full tour with Callum's condition. Which is why I will volunteer to babysit, provided I get to see at least one Jawbox show.
Sleater-Kinney
Why it would rock: Because they rock so damn hard (The Woods) but write the best hooks (All Hands on the Bad One). Because they write songs about things I care about ("I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone"). Because they kept getting better with each record. Because I didn't get into them until right before they broke up. Some things just aren't fair.
Why it probably won't happen: Corin Tucker is a committed mother. Janet Weiss moved on to other bands. Carrie Brownstein has a TV show now. Even if the band got back together, they'd probably do a quick West coast jaunt, and that's of no use to me.
Fugazi
Why it would rock: You know that idealized version in your head of what a punk band should sound and be like? That's Fugazi.
Why it probably won't happen: While its members are still musically active, they don't keep the kind of intense schedule Fugazi did. I just don't think they have the energy anymore.
Refused
Why it would rock: Um, have you heard "New Noise?"
Why it probably won't happen: They're fighting the reunion rumors pretty hard lately, and I have a tendency to believe people's words.
At the Drive-In
Why it would rock: Sparta is too predictable and The Mars Volta is too formless, but their combined sensibilities made for a fine blend of punk. And they went out on one hell of a high note.
Why it probably won't happen: Because Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala love drugs too much.
The Promise Ring
Why it would rock: Because they wrote some of the catchiest indie rock jams of the '90s, then wrote one of the most beautiful mellow rock albums of the '00s. Their discography is perfect, and frontman Davey von Bohlen is essentially doing the same thing now with Maritime.
Why it probably won't happen: von Bohlen isn't keen on reunions. Plus, TPR had already changed like half of its lineup before its last album. There's no guarantee this would be a legit reunion anyway.
Crime in Stereo
Why it would rock: DRUGWOLF FOREVER.
Why it probably won't happen: Because they just broke up. But they are gonna do a farewell tour!!!
Weezer back when they were good
Why it would rock: They already said they were gonna do a "Blue Album"/Pinkerton tour, why not just bring back Matt Sharp?
Why it probably won't happen: Because Weezer has no idea what good music sounds like anymore.
1 comment:
What if the Dismemberment Plan covers Drugwolf? I mean, the Dismemberment Plan is back. Bear vs Shark is alive again. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE NOW, JOE. ANYTHING.
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