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:

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: 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: Rage Against The Machine

I’m going to keep this short and sweet. Zach De La Rocha, get back in front of the microphone with Tom Morello, Brad Wilk, and Tim Commerford. Knock off this Prophets of Rage junk, and do the right thing.

The world really needs Rage Against The Machine now more than ever.

Rage Against The Machine- Live at Woodstock 99:

 

Rage Against The Machine- Live at Grand Olympic Auditorium:

 

 

 

Bands That Should Return: A Perfect Circle

 

If there is one band that really should come back around and release a new album it’s A Perfect Circle. It’s been over thirteen years since they released an album of new material. Maynard has kept busy over the years with Puscifer, which is interesting and another outlet for him, but the fact that there are more Puscifer albums than A Perfect Circle albums, it’s just not right. A Perfect Circle guitarist Billy Howerdel has said that “there are fully developed songs without lyrics and melody…as far as the music end goes, I’ve got 75% of the foundation of [the next] A Perfect Circle record ready to go.” And that he is just waiting on Maynard. In March of 2016 Maynard was quoted as saying “I still hope to make and release new music with the band.” Well then get on it. It’s been over ten years since there was a new Tool record, and thirteen since there was a new APC record. I get the need and want to go off and do different things, explore new musical avenues, but what I don’t get is how you can just leave a band like A Perfect Circle behind. I still remember the day that Mer De Noms came out. I was so excited and pumped to own that album and I listened to it so much I had to get another copy. Then when The Thirteenth Step came out, it elevated their game so much more, and became one of those albums that you just can’t get enough of.

Enough with the wait. It’s time to get Maynard in a room with Billy Howerdel, Josh Freese, Paz Lenchantin, Troy Van Leeuwen, and Danny Lohner and make a great new album. The world needs a new album from A Perfect Circle, it’s been too long!

Bands That Should Come Back: Misfits

This one is actually happening before I had the chance to do a full piece on it. I’d say it’s about time this happened. If Axl and Slash can set their differences aside and get back out on the road so can Danzig and Jerry Only. The fans have been wanting this for years now, and hopefully after these festival shows there will be a tour. I saw the Misfits years ago with Michael Graves singing, who did a good job, but it wasn’t the band that I enjoyed listening to. I’ve seen Danzig as well, and when he would do his Misfits set, it was quite enjoyable but there was something missing. Well here’s to hoping this goes well so we can see it all one more time before they hang it up.

 

Misfits:

 

Bands That Should Get Back Together: Pulse Ultra

The early 2000’s actually brought out a lot of great bands. Sadly a slew of those got lumped into the Nu-Metal genre. Amongst those bands that got labeled as such that weren’t a part of it was Pulse Ultra. Their debut album Headspace is an album mixed with genuine alternative music, prog rock and a touch of metal. Pulse Ultra’s break came in 2000 when the band met the bands Taproot. Guitarist Dominic Cifarelli gave a demo of Pulse Ultra’s to guitarist Mike DeWolf of Taproot. DeWolf then passed the demo to their management team helping the band to sign with Atlantic Records. Pulse Ultra would go on to play on multiple tours including a stint on Ozzfest. Sadly though in 2004, band dynamics got in the way of another album. Pulse Ultra was a band that had they kept it together could have gone on to a really intriguing career. Their sole album is 14 songs of solid rock, catchy at times, and armed with riffs that get you jumping.

 

Pulse Ultra- Headspace:

Bands That Should Come Back: White Zombie

This feature is so much fun to do. It allows me to think that maybe if I put this out in the ether of the internet, some of these bands might get back together (with the help of all of the others that want it too). Now I know this one is total wishful thinking, especially since Rob Zombie said that he won’t do it, but how awesome would it be if White Zombie got back together. They were such a fun band. There was something unique and fun about them. They had a really cool groove to the music. Guitarist J Yuenger really had a knack for cool riffs and licks that seemed simple but were intricate in the timing. I always wondered why he wasn’t regarded for his playing. Their two major label releases La Sexorcisto and Astro Creep 2000 were outstanding albums. And both were different in good way. La Sexorcisto had a more metal vibe to it while Astro Creep got more electronic and had tinges of industrial to go along with the groove metal riffs. Take a stroll and get back into White Zombie!

 

La Sexorcisto:

 

Astro Creep 2000: