Bands That Should Come Back: Them Crooked Vultures

It’s been about 10 years now since we have heard from Them Crooked Vultures. The “supergroup” featuring Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones was one hell of a band. They had this really cool bluesy jam band style along with some really fun songs like “New Fang,” “Dead End Friends,” “Mind Eraser, No Chaser,” “Elephants,” “Reptiles,” “Caligulove,” and “Spinning In Daffodils.” The best thing about this band though was that it gave Dave and Josh a break from their main bands and when they returned to those bands, the material they made sounded rejuvenated and alive again. Though the Queens Of The Stone Age album made after TCV, hasn’t really aged well, while Foo Fighters Wasting Light is still one of the best rock albums of the last 10 years. I had the chance to see Vultures live and they were great live. Yes the band has Dave and Josh in it but the whole time I was watching them on stage, I was in awe of John Paul Jones. I truly believe he has never gotten the proper credit and respect for his contributions in Led Zeppelin. That man is a talent among talents. I’d love to hear a new Them Crooked Vultures release, mainly to hear more of John Paul Jones but, also because I think the Foos and Queens need to take a break. It’s worth noting that they’ve all said in recent years that they wouldn’t rule out working together again, it’s just getting the timing right. Who else wants to see this?

 

Them Crooked Vultures- Them Crooked Vultures:

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Bands That Should Come Back: Oasis

It’s been over ten years now since Oasis has played a show. Their last album, Dig Out Your Soul, was a return of sorts to the roots of the band. While it didn’t have the “pop” of Definitely Maybe or What’s The Story Morning Glory, it was still a record to be proud of and could stand out in the bands catalog. We all know the stories of the fighting between Liam and Noel Gallagher.  It’s really a shame that they can’t seem to figure out how to just get along. Noel has released three solo albums since Oasis’s break up. Each of those albums hark back a little to the Oasis days. After all, Noel was the one that wrote the songs. The second of Noel’s solo albums, Chasing Yesterday, is one hell of a good album. It’s one of those records that just feels right and sounds great too. After the initial break up, Liam and the rest of the members of Oasis formed the band Beady Eye. That band was decent but it sure lacked the substance that Oasis had. Last year though, Liam released his debut solo album called As You Were, and that album is tremendous. There are songs on it that almost feel like they could have been Oasis songs.
In the past couple weeks, Liam was on twitter and tweeted out messages (see below) to Noel, saying that they should knock off what ever it is between them and get the band back together. There are even rumors kicking around that Liam and Noel will reunite on stage at a festival coming up in England, since they are playing the same festival, on different days. Oasis was a band that if you go back and listen to, you can really hear how great they were. Yes, they had massive egos but, there is no denying the bands ability to craft great songs and deliver a great performance. Thankfully I was able to see them back in 2007, and that show was spectacular. I’m hopeful that Liam and Noel and figure out their crap and get the band back to where it was.

 

Liam’s Tweet To Noel:

 

Oasis- Definitely Maybe:

 

Oasis- What’s The Story Morning Glory:

 
Oasis- Dig Out Your Soul:

Bands That Should Return: Skid Row

If there is one band besides Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd that really need to get back together it’s Skid Row. There was something really great about them. One thing I will always remember is seeing Skid Row on Bon Jovi’s New Jersey tour in 1989. It was my first concert ever and one of the best shows of my life. Technically speaking, Skid Row was the first band I ever saw live. Skid Row was impactful and full of attitude that the hard rock/metal world needed at the time.

Bands That Should Return: Rollins Band

Recently I had a song stuck in my head for a while and needed to listen to it. So I went to my CD shelves and grabbed the album, put it on my stereo and let the music overtake me. The album was Rollins Band’s Come In and Burn and the song was Starve. While listening to the album I had the feeling of needing more from Rollins. So naturally I went and grabbed all the other albums and put them on and my listening experience was fulfilled. But it really wasn’t. I wanted and still want more. Henry Rollins is one of the most prolific lyricists of the last 30 years. His words are poetic and have stories to tell. He’s always seemed to have something interesting and poignant to say from his time in Black Flag, Rollins Band, and his spoken word. There really is something missing from music world without Rollins behind the mic and on stage fronting a band. The guys that made up Rollins Band, Chris Haskett (guitar), Sim Cain (drums), Melvin Gibbs (bass) and Theo Van Rock (live sound engineer), really were a force to be reckoned with. These guys could flat out play. Their music backing Rollins vocals and words made something explosive and needed. And now more than ever, their style and abilities are much needed to help break this stagnant music that is happening right now.

 

Rollins Band- Come In and Burn:

 

Rollins Band- Weight:

 

Rollins Band- The End Of Silence:

Bands That Should Return: Led Zeppelin

It’s been too long and the fans want it. The guys aren’t getting any younger, and there are so many people that want it. So how about Led Zeppelin gets back together. I’m not asking for new music, just play some shows. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones are one hell of a trifecta. Their legacy and influence is spread over multitudes of generations. And there are people like myself that would love to see the three of them play on stage. I do have one request that if they do decide to play some shows, don’t use Jason Bonham as the drummer. Dave Grohl needs to be behind the kit. Jason was good for the “Celebration Day” reunion they did a few years back but, it really needs to be Dave Grohl.

What do you all think? A Led Zeppelin reunion with Dave Grohl playing drums?!

Bands That Should Return: Silverchair

Over the past few years there has been a resurgence of bands from the 90’s reuniting. Some have been absolutely great to have back, like Failure, and others, well lets just not mention them. One band in particular that I’d love to see make a return is Silverchair.

Their first three albums are still in constant rotation in my stereo and still hold up. The first album Frogstomp is drenched in teenage angst and despair but, it still resonates with today’s youth. Freak Show is a continuation of that angst but with a bit more social commentary. And Neon Ballroom, the bands pinnacle and most evolved album, is an unsung masterpiece. From start to finish, Neon Ballroom is exactly what the band should have become.  Their follow up albums though, Diorama and Young Modern, were a bit sub par and deviated a bit too far from what the band had evolved into. Granted I know that Daniel Johns is a huge Beatles fan, so that pretty much explains why Diorama sounds the way it does. The way the band disappeared after Young Modern is sort of sad. Young Modern was also a giant departure from their rock sound and focused more on electronics and synths. The lyrics even took on a more metaphorical approach but, still retained Daniel Johns poetic touch.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since Silverchair was still a band. I’d really like to see them come back. They were a very underrated band in the sea of grunge/alternative rock bands. When Silverchair released Neon Ballroom, it was cemented that they had the ability to break away from what they were placed in by the critics and media. To this day, that album is one of the best albums of the 90’s, even though it was released in 99.

So what do you say Silverchair? How bout it! Get back out there and kick ass again. The fans want it, and I’m sure deep down you do as well.

 

Frogstomp:

 

Freak Show:

 

Neon Ballroom:

Bands That Should Return: The Smiths

There are so many bands that broke up way long ago and have yet to return. One of the most sought after reunions  is for Sean Patrick Morrissey and Johnny Marr to put The Smiths back together. The band formed in 1982 but sadly broke up in 1987 when Johnny Marr wanted to expand upon his musical ventures. The Smiths though released four of the most influential and essential albums in music history (The Smiths, The Queen Is Dead, Meat Is Murder and Strangeways, Here We Come). Their songs had parts post-punk, dance pop, and a tinge of shoegaze. Lyrically, Morrissey was a wordsmith. His knack for writing depressing  but subliminally humorous songs was quite striking. Johnny Marr’s style of guitar playing is beyond influential as well. His use of space and atmosphere in the songs and albums was the perfect compliment to Morrissey’s voice.

If you look at the bands that came after The Smiths, you can really hear the influence they had. The “Brit-Pop” movement of the early/mid 90’s with Oasis, The Stone Roses, Blur and others, owe a lot to The Smiths, even if those bands were more commercial. It’s amazing to see how impact The Smiths still have. People flock to see Morrissey live when he comes to town. Johnny Marr is quite the sought after songwriter and player for many bands. He did a stint with Modest Mouse not too long ago.

I truly hope that Morrissey and Johnny Marr can get past whatever issues they have and reunite for the fans. Yes, those two guys will make boat loads of money, but for many of their fans it will be the first time they will get to see them live. If Axl and Slash can get over their issues, they can too.

 

The Smiths:

 

The Queen Is Dead:

 

Meat Is Murder:

 

Strangeways, Here We Come:

 

How Soon Is Now?: