We left a bunch (more like a ton) of important names off our list of re-formed bands we think should record new material. Sebadoh, The Smashing Pumpkins, J&M Chain, Crowded House — yes, yes, yes, yes. And the list goes on. With so many reunions in progress, it?s hard to believe any band could resist the siren song of nostalgia — and the potential for a Pixies-style payday. And yet there are major names still on the sidelines. We thought we?d look at some of our favorite still-broken-up bands and try to figure out when (and if) they?ll come back.
Pavement
An unquestioned #1 — on our list, anyway. Ever since Stephen attached those handcuffs to the mike stand in 1999 and said (something to the effect of), ?These symbolize what it?s like to be in a band,? we?ve been waiting for signs of a thaw.
OVER/UNDER: 2010
WE’LL TAKE: The over — but just barely. As we creep toward the 20th anniversary of Pavement?s early Drag City work, the din will become a roar. Come on guys, throw us a bone!
Faith No More/Mr. Bungle
Mr. Bungle was always a bit avant garde for our ears, but Angel Dust still finds its way into our playlists from time to time, along with FNM?s killer cover of ?Easy.?
OVER/UNDER: 2009
WE’LL TAKE: The over. No comment on Mr. Bungle, but Mike Patton recently gave a firm ?no way? to a FNM reunion. Was he serious? Probably. But he?s also insane. (Which also makes for great Wolfmother bashing.)
My Bloody Valentine
Kevin Shields sightings have become more frequent in the past few years, his “remixes” are in a state of decline, and we?re coming up on the 20th anniversary of Loveless, one of the most influential albums of all time.
OVER/UNDER: 2011
WE’LL TAKE: The over. Loveless was a studio classic, and MBV, although they had a great live reputation, didn?t spend as much time on the road as some of their peers. And since it?s usually the mega-money tours that drive these things, a proper reunion seems unlikely. Maybe (hopefully) Kevin will open up the archives, or release new solo material under the MBV name.
Unrest
Mark Robinson?s outfit was one of the titans of 90s indie rock. Although they don’t often make the critics’ lists for such things, Imperial f.f.r.r. and Perfect are both classics.
OVER/UNDER: 2011
WE’LL TAKE: The under. The band played a reunion show (to much fanfare) in 2005. It didn?t lead to a full-on reformation, but it was a good start. A mini-tour or a few festival gigs wouldn?t be too much to ask for, would it?
The Whotles
This from reader Tony G: Roger, Pete, Paul and Ringo re-form as a sixties supergroup that never was.
OVER/UNDER: December 31, 2007
WE’LL TAKE: The under. In the year when Chinese Democracy is 100%, absolutely, without a doubt maybe going to see release, anything is possible, right?
Plenty of other candidates out there. Stone Roses? Guided By Voices (technically, Robert Pollard would be reuniting with himself)? Sleater-Kinney? Who else did we miss?
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I know I will probably be lynched for this, but my vote is for Blink 182. Now, they suck. But their last album made me swallow my indie pride and admit that I was fucked addicted. They should make a new album and pick up where they left off.
ummm…..Smiths?
The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths,
The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths,
The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths,
The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths,
The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths,
The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths, The Smiths,
I vowed not to go to coachella until Pavement was reuniting there.
God, reunions! reunions! You fucking wankers. You sound like whiny Mallory Keaton’s for fucksake. Don’t you have this thread like once a week?
I 42nd the Smiths.
Grant Lee Buffalo. Phillips’ solo work is alright, but he sounded best on Mighty Joe Moon, with some feedbackin’ balls contrasting against his great acoustic stuff.
i know i’m going to get crap for this, but in my mind malkmus is making the most exciting, dignified, graceful and vibrant music of his career. Right now.
pig lib. face the truth. rule face.
new material he’s out playing is mind-blowing warm velvety, prog rock that is going somewhere new and uncharted. let’s keep moving forward, huh? seriously. stop.
Neutral Milk Hotel. And if they could tomorrow that would be great thanks.
Archers of Loaf. Obvs.
Please god no, do not let The Smiths ruin their legacy with some terrible reunion. Thankfully, Morrissey hates literally everyone so it’s next-to-impossible it’ll happen.
Personally, I think most of these bands left things exactly as they should have. How many reformed bands have released decent material anyway? Does anyone still listen to Blondie’s ‘No Exit’??
Superdrag… never got to see them play.
how ’bout Boston…myeh!
Another for Neutral Milk Hotel.
The Dismemberment Plan…for GOOD! Not just two shows nearly impossible to attend. though i emailed travis about getting the plan back and he did say the following…
‘Ha. No, due cause is coming into practice and having four great jams just pop out. That’s how it is with bands who are in their moment. Will it happen with us? We wouldn’t force it. If it happens, sure, let’s make another record!
-T’
let’s cross our fingers here….
what do you think could convince neutral milk to reunite and play nyc?
i agree with jim, in essence. malkmus is STILL pushing forward, making some great new material. asking him to go back would be disastrous at this point in his artistic development, in my opinion. IF he starts making a whole bunch of crap, then we can hope for a pavement + jicks double reunion tour. I’m hoping that malkmus is smart enough to stay ahead of that curve for a while to come.
I have to agree on Neutral Milk Hotel and Pavement!
Sleater Kinney.
creed
Helium. Seriously.
I agree with jim, but I’d like to hear some Bob Nastanovich show up on an SM album, and I’d like to hear more of Westy’s solo stuff, but it’s really tough to find. What I’ve heard is good and interesting.
Talking Heads
/same as it ever was?
PYLON, and it’s going to happen!
I want Bill Berry to come back to R.E.M. at least for the records if not the tours. He could be like a Brian Wilson type figure. Write songs and record his parts on the record but never tour.
Big Pig.
The Whotles would be awesome, but I couldn’t imagine Pete Townshend putting up with McCartney. After listening to McCartney boss him around for a day or two he’d probably rip McCartney’s ex-wife’s other leg off and beat Paul to death with it.
I’m tossing in my vote for Sleater Kinney.
re: Mr. Bungle, Mike Patton said:
“I think it is over. The guys are spread all over the world and we don’t talk to each other. I have not spoken to a couple of the guys since the last tour, years ago.”
Jawbreaker to reunite
Fugazi to come off their “indefinite hiatus”
Jawbreaker
In no particular order:
The Feelies
NMH
Unrest
Actually, the Feelies and Unrest would blow my mind up. I’d like to see NMH, but the live experience (at least the recorded stuff) doesn’t blow me away. Perhaps I haven’t come across the right recording yet.
I don’t want Refused to be fucking dead anymore.
In the order in which I would freak out the most:
Jellyfish
Talking Heads
Ben Folds Five
The Smiths
Pulp
at the drive-in. murder city devils. q and not u. refused.
I would like to second Fugazi and Jawbreaker. Isn’t it about time to end Fugazi’s “hiatus”?
I would love to see the Smiths reunite more than anyone else, mostly because that tattoo of Mozz and Marr on my dong will finally be complete, but there’s really no chance of that. Morrisey said that he’d rather eat his own testicles than reunite with the Smiths. “And that’s saying something coming from a vegetarian.” NMH seems likely. I would love to see that, in addition to an Olivia Tremor Control reunion.
Pulp, The Smiths, Neutral Milk Hotel? Infinitely more necessary than most of these bands.
Mazzy Star
Boston
XTC
Blink 182 split up? Awesome.
NMH
Sleater-Kinney
Le Tigre
Test Icicles
I love The Smiths, but it’d be so hollow.
Reunion List: Royal Trux, The Time, My Bloody Valentine, Pavement, Sleater-Kinney, A Tribe Called Quest, Sceaming Trees, AR Kane, Bad Brains, Pulp, Big Black, Goblin helmed by Mike Patton
matthew good band
Clearly the Stone Roses aren’t in with the fashionable Stereogum crowd. But they would be top of my list. (although probably bottom too – if that makes any sense)