411 Music Ten Deep 7.02.10: Top 10 Bands That Should Reunite

Posted by Andrew Moll on 07.03.2010

From the original Guns N' Roses to Oasis, see what groups should get back together on the list of the Top Ten Bands that Should Reunite, all in this week's edition of 411 Music Ten Deep!


(Disclaimer: All opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of 411 Music and its staff.)


Back after a one week layoff, it's 411 Music Ten Deep! I apologize for missing last week's column, but that's what I get for thinking I could finish the column while simultaneously watching my favorite TV broadcast of the year, the NBA Draft. Thankfully, we don't have to worry about that this week, and everything can return to normal. And that means we start things off with the reaction to the column from the last time I was hear, the Top Ten Father Songs:





I'll start off by saying there was some confusion on what that column was about. The idea was for the songs to have the word "father" or variations of such in the title of the song, not to have songs about fathers. That's my fault for not making it clear enough. Although I do wonder if you think that little of me, that you thought I actually considered "Big Poppa" about somebody's relationship with their father.


"Father and Son" by Cat Stevens is perhaps the quintessential father song, I'd get it on the list. I'd also count "Old Man" by Neil Young, although that one is a little more cryptic.
Posted By: paul (Guest) on June 18, 2010 at 01:10 AM

I hadn't recalled hearing that Cat Stevens song before a couple people mentioned, but now I can see why they did because it's a pretty damn good song. Good call on that one.

What? Shaq's "Biological Didn't Bother" isn't on the list? For shame!
Posted By: No Love? (Guest) on June 18, 2010 at 09:16 AM

Don't know this one either, but it certainly sounds tremendous. SHAQ FU!

From looking at the list, I think the song has to include "father, poppa, daddy, etc." in the title. Which is why there is no "Cat's in the Cradle". I don't know why "Father and Son" isn't on here. I think there is no Everclear because Everclear sucks.
Posted By: guessing here (Guest) on June 20, 2010 at 02:27 PM

See? This guy gets it. One out of forty-six comments isn't bad, I guess.




Top Ten Bands That Should Reunite



Just this year we've had Soundgarden, Pavement, and now Guided by Voices all announce at least brief reunions, continuing the recent tradition of numerous bands getting back together and hitting the road, and maybe even making a record or two. Not everything great band has succumbed to public pressure though, and these bands listed below are some that people are waiting for. And as a disclaimer, if you'a lreacy reunited for a tour or number of shows or whatever, then you don't qualify. Before that, however, we must look at the best of the rest, the honorable mentions:

Some Honorable Mentions: The Fugess; The Jam; Pulp; Talking Heads; Temple of the Dog




10. Uncle Tupelo


Uncle Tupelo were arguably the forefathers of Alt-country, as their pioneering mix of punk rock style and country sounds and rhythms helped to open up a new subgenre that, while never exceedingly popular, has consistently delivered some great rock music over the past two decades. Unfortunately, Uncle Tupelo broke up before they could really hit their stride and deliver more classic work. Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy, the band's two songwriters, couldn't co-exist any longer, which is a shame; Farrar's harder and cynical take on writing meshed perfectly with Tweedy's more optimistic style. Together they managed to detail middle class America in a way most rock music is unable to






But increasing tensions and verbal confrontations led to Uncle Tupelo's breakup in 1994. Alt-country didn't die with them, as Farrar would found Son Volt and Tweedy would start Wilco, and the rest, as they say is history. The relationship between the two men hasn't exactly improved over the years, as Farrar said that he hasn't even listened to Wilco. But maybe, just maybe, these two talented songwriters can't patch things up at some point and do a reunion tour. No further albums are necessary, since their output is already great, and the two men would probably come to blows, but it would still be great to have Uncle Tupelo back.





9. Sleater-Kinney


Technically, Sleater-Kinney never officially "broke up," but instead went on an indefinite hiatus in 2006. Whatever you want to call it, the fact remains that we haven't had a Sleater-Kinney album in five years and they haven't played a concert in four years, and that's just much too long to go without hearing some more of Sleater-Kinney's visceral and aggressive take on punk rock. Starting with their self-titled debut album in 1995, the band took "riot grrrl" to another level and became one of the best punk rock bands alive, man or woman. Corin Tucker's vocals were always love-them-or-hate-them, but they were undoubtedly as dynamic as the band's music itself was, and that's part of the reason why they were so great.





The "indefinite hiatus" thing at least leaves the door open for Sleater-Kinney getting back together, and a reunion of the band couldn't happen sooner. The band's last album, 2005's The Woods was probably the best record of the group's career, meaning they went out on a high note. It certainly gives one hope that Sleater-Kinney would be able to pick up right where they left off, by making some of the best rock music around. And ultimately, the music world is a better place with Sleater-Kinney's swinging and smashing albums, as well as their assaulting (in a good way) live performances.





8. Oasis


We've only been without Oasis for a year now, but already it feels like Liam and Noel Gallagher should be getting back together. Granted, Oasis haven't released a great album in fifteen years, but they're still the type of band that should be headlining big festivals and delivering all their best songs. On the other hand, it somewhat remarkable that the band stayed together as long as they did, considering the Gallagher brothers notorious public spats and problems; seemingly from the moment they broke through in 1994 with Definitely Maybe, Noel and Liam were at odds with each other in the press, and it seemed like the whole thing would burn out pretty quickly.





Amazingly, the band continued on for another decade and a half, and while they could never match the success of (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, they were certainly never a bad band, and could always be counted on to deliver a solid live show. And besides, weren't things always much more fun with Oasis around? Sure, most Americans tuned them out musically, but every few months Liam would say or do something extremely entertaining or controversial, and we'd remember why we all loved the band so much. Some old school rock and roll debauchery and antics are always welcome, and few were better at it than Oasis. So let's get this band back together for a reunion tour and let them run wild over the world again.





7. Hüsker Dü


Perhaps more than with any other band on the list, a Hüsker Dü is more than just a pipe dream, it's practically an impossibility. Not happening. Ever. Bob Mould, Grant Hart and Greg Norton will never play onstage together as a trio ever again, and they most definitely will never be a new Hüsker Dü album, so there's really no point in wasting any time hoping that it might eventually happen. But that in no ways means that it shouldn't happen, at least just once. Mould and Hart did play a couple songs together in 2005 at a charity concert, but that's not quite enough for Hüsker Dü fans. We need the entire trio back together, destroying eardrums and melting faces like few other bands could possibly hope to.





When Hüsker Dü first started playing in the early 1980s, they were faster and louder than every other so-called hardcore band out there, but over time they realized that style could only take you so far. So with added melodies and a new approach, Hüsker Dü arguably became the best rock band on the planet with Zen Arcade and New Day Rising and set the stage for one of the great underground bands to come. Unfortunately, that time wouldn't last as tensions between Hart and Mould erupted so much that the situation became untenable for both, and Hüsker Dü was no more. But we need them back, at least just once, so a whole new generation of fans can witness the sheer of power of this band.





6. The Stone Roses


It's slightly odd to pine for a Stone Roses reunion, considering the fact that they released only one great album two decades, and followed that up by releasing one of the most disappointing albums ever, and that's it for the Stone Roses. But there's still a feeling unfinished business with this group as that landmark self-titled debut is enough evidence to show that the Stone Roses could do very well if they get back together. At the very least, hooking up with All Tomorrow's Parties for the Don't Look Back series (where bands play their classic albums in their entirety) would be a great decision for the band.





That 1989 debut album would certainly be near to impossible to live up to, but their 1994 record Second Coming was a failure on almost every level. Not surprisingly, then, the band started to fall apart over the next couple years as band member after band member decided to leave. With musical and personal issues between them, the band has in no way reunited since, and apparently Ian Brown and John Squire haven't spoken since the band's demise, so clearly there is work to be done if we want this band to at least temporarily get back together. But to me it's worth it, if just to hear some old, and possibly new, works from a great band like the Stone Roses.





5. At the Drive-In


One listen to an At the Drive-In album or a view of one of their live performances should be enough to show you that ATDI contained a passion and energy that is almost unrivaled, and it should also not be too surprising that this band imploded right at the moment that they reached their highest level of skill and fame. The wheels always sounded like they were about to go flying off for ATDI, and eventually they did; unfortunately that happened right after the release of one of the decade's best rock albums, Relationship of Command. Of course, this was never a band that seemed like it was concerned about the future; they put everything they had into the here and now, and that's why their sound and concerts were so dynamic.





Part of the reason for the band's breakup was a difference in opinion in the direction of the band, as some members wanted to continue making alternative rock, while the rest of the band wanted to make more progressive music. The result was the end of ATDI, and the birth of the sometimes quite excellent Mars Volta, and pretty solid Sparta, bands that represented the two opposing sides of ATDI. The breakup was quite contentious at the time, but the personal relationships between the former band mates seem to have improved, which is good news for fans hoping for a reunion. Whether ATDI could hope to match the passion and fury of their earlier incarnation is up in the air, and still pretty unlikely is former guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is to be believed, but I, like many others, were sure like to see them try.





4. Fugazi


Much like Sleater-Kinney, Fugazi have never announced an official breakup, but rather have been on indefinite hiatus. It's a hiatus that has lasted eight years, and the further we get away from Fugazi's brilliant last album The Argument, the more obvious it becomes that we've seen the last of this group. That's certainly a shame in these times when a smart political band like Fugazi could be of great use; it's also a shame because The Argument showed a new version of Fugazi that appeared to be primed and ready to take on the next stage of their career. It was a band that was still operating with large amounts of passion and dedication, but they had learned to be more subtle about it, unveiling a new approach that would have served them well in the years to come.





Unfortunately, the band soon went on that hiatus, brought on partly by Brendan Canty's desire to start a family. Far be it from me to criticize a tremendous drummer like Mr. Lally, but think of the fans! I realize this is a fruitless effort, however, as these indefinite hiatuses always turn into permanent breakups. It hasn't all been bad though, since Ian MacKaye went on to start the excellent band the Evens, who have helped to make up for the absence of Fugazi. But there's no doubt in my mind that if Fugazi reunited onstage tonight, they would be one of the best, most urgent and most relevant bands on the planet, and that's why we need Fugazi around.





3. Black Star


The hip-hop world following the death of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. needed a sense of balance and understanding, and I doubt there were two men better equipped to step into that role than Talib Kweli and Mos Def, aka Black Star. Even something as simple as "Said one, two, three/It's kinda dangerous to be an M.C./They shot Tupac and Biggie/Too much violence in hip-hop," could be the most important verse you could hear, at that time specifically. But the approach and sound of Black Star is always welcome in hip-hop, and that's why it's so terrible that Black Star released only one album, their self-titled debut which came out in 1998. That's a long twelve years for anybody who loved that record, and it's time for some from these men.





Out of all the bands on this listed, Black Star probably has the best possibility of actually getting back together at some point, and quite possibly in the near future. Kweli has said that a new Black Star album in the pipeline, which certainly gives hope that it'll happen, and it's not as if he and Mos Def haven't continued working together in the years since that first record. In fact, they've performed enough together, like on Dave Chappelle's Block Party, that putting them on this list at all is a bit of a cheat, but I stand by my decision to have them hear, since live performances are nice, but a Black Star record could definitely be amongst the best released of the year, whenever it may happen.





2. Guns n' Roses


The Guns n' Roses I speak of here isn't the one that's been touring in recent years, nor is it the GNR that finally released Chinese Democracy a couple years ago. The Guns n' Roses that I'm talking about here is the original lineup, the one that released Appetite for Destruction. We need Axl, Slash, Izzy and Duff back together. We need the real Gun n' Roses. They need to breeze through your town, defile your women, drink your booze and leave a trail of destruction behind them as they move onto the next town. That band you're paying to see now in concert may approximate the sound pretty well, but there's no way they can match the attitude of that original group in any way.





The chances of this actually happening are, I assume, pretty slim, but just based on the amount of money these guys could make from a reunion tour is enough to at least make it a possibility. I don't really even need an album from these guys, and based on Chinese Democracy and the output of Velvet Revolver, I'm not sure I'd want one either. But to see that group of guys live and hear the opening guitar to "Welcome to the Jungle"? That would probably be enough for me. This original version of GNR could probably still be a great live act, or at the very least be an entertaining wreck, but at the very least, I think we all can agree it would be something pretty special.





1. The Smiths


As with many of the groups that I've mentioned here, don't hold your breath expecting the Smiths to reunite at any point. The acrimony between Morrissey and Johnny Marr has been so great for more than two decades that it's hard to imagine ever seeing them play together again; but that's exactly the reason why the Smiths rank at number one on this list. Since there have been literally no signs or hints that a reunion would even be discussed by the band members, let alone actually happen, then a Smiths reunion may just be the most hoped for and salivated over reunion of any great band. We always want what we are denied, and what band denies they're getting back together more than the Smiths?





The allure of a Smiths reunion may lie more in those steadfast denials than in the desire to see them play again, to be honest. That's no to say the fans aren't eager to see the band together at least one more time; the Smiths are one of the most heralded bands of the 1980s, whose albums still stand up well to anything coming out today. But there is something to be said for refusing even the slightest bit of possibility to shine through, in that it tends to make people only more eager to see a reunion, especially if they can't take "no" for an answer. Even I refuse to completely come to terms with the fact we'll never see the Smiths play together again, even though all signs point to it not happening. (Morrissey once said he'd rather eat his own testicles than reunite with the Smiths, and that seems like a pretty strong denial to me.) But, as Andy Dufresne once said, hope is a good thing, and I'll be hoping along with every other Smiths fans that a reunion does happen, and Morrissey has to eat his own words. And those other things as well.



That'll do it for this week folks, thanks for reading. If you have any questions, comments or concerns feel free to let me know, and make sure to leave your own lists in the comments. I'll see you all next week. And if you're out on your bike tonight, do wear white.