VH1's Bands Reunited is one of the better shows on the two main cable television music channels, which really aren't music channels anymore. The inaugural season reunited bands that we hadn't heard from in some time--A Flock of Seagulls (buy their greatest hits here), The Alarm (buy their greatest hits here), and Dramarama (buy their greatest hits here).
This season, the most worthy of the bands VH1 attempts to bring together again is The Beat, better known in America as The English Beat. Featuring an eclectic cast of characters, including proto-MC Ranking Roger and a septuagenarian named Saxa, who, of all things, plays the saxaphone, The English Beat's New Wave/ska sound screams early '80s. "I Confess," "End of the Party," "Mirror in the Bathroom," and "Save It for Later" were some of the best songs of the post-punk era, but after three albums the group called it quits when singers Dave Wakeman and Ranking Roger decided to pursue money-green pastures as a two-piece in General Public. Although General Public scored a hit in "Tenderness," two of the left-behind members ironically found the most success in life after The English Beat (buy their greatest hits here). Andy Cox and David Steele would go on to become two-thirds of Fine Young Cannibals, releasing one of the monster albums of the late 1980s in The Raw and the Cooked (buy it here).
Alas, VH1 did not deliver a happy ending on The English Beat's edition of Bands Reunited. Cox and Steele, despite an impassioned plea from the aging Saxa, refused to reunite with their former bandmates. When one of your bandmates is pushing 80, opportunities to reunite grow dimmer by the year. That's too bad, as The English Beat deserve to be heard again.
The sometimes annoying, sometimes endearing Aamer Haleem has a winning record reuniting bands. It's a great feeling to see The Motels and A Flock of Seagulls back on stage again. But let's face it: not every band should be reunited. So, I ask the readers three important questions: What band should Aamer attempt to reunite next season? What band should Aamer never, under any circumstances, attempt to reunite? What current band should Aamer attempt to break up?
I demand answers!
Sad to hear about the English Beat, they were a phenomenal band. There actually have been various incarnations of them that survived and toured into the mid-90's, generally as "Special Beat" which combined talent from "The Specials" (probably the best British Mod-Ska band of the late 70's/early 80's) and English Beat.
I have always wished that someone could convince Glenn Danzig to stop being such a dillhole and get him to reunite with Dez and Jerry to reform the original Misfits lineup. The Misfits have been back together with different vocalists for a number of years, since Danzig at least finally loosened his stranglehold on the rights to their music, but still I would love to see them reconciled.
On the same punk theme, Naked Raygun was one of the most amazing bands out of Chicago in the eighties (1982-1990). I just missed seeing them perform in my youth and have always, always regretted it.
Lastly, before his drinking finally kills him it would be great to see Shane MacGowan sing with the Pogues again.
Anyone see the Starbucks Double Shot Espresso commercial? So, Survivor is actually still in existence . . . huh? They might need to be broken up, that is ridiculous.
And the worst live act I have ever seen is The Offspring. Unless they have dramatically improved in the 12 years since I first saw them (before they broke it big) they are nothing but a studio act. They were so miserable I was shocked when they struck it huge and have been annoyed with their success ever since. Bring 'em down Aamer (or Krempasky, apparently).
Bring back Bell Biv Devoe!
General Public was a better band than The English Beat.
I would like to see The Psychedelic Furs and Men at Work reunite. I would also throw in Asia and The Cult. Unfortunately two bands that would have been great to see reunite have since had their frontman pass away. I speak of Stuart Adamson of Big Country and Michael Hutchence of INXS.
I think it would also be cool to see MTV/VH1 come full circle and try to get the Buggles to reunite and play the song that launched the medium and changed music for a generation.
The band Aamer should never attempt to get back together is Huey Lewis and the News. They where just plan dreadful. The band he should try and break-up...........definitely Bon Jovi.
The Replacements would also be a great reunion but with the death of Bob Stinson the original line up will never be assembled.
First things first. I love the Starbucks Double Shot Espresso commercial, I think it's great.
I saw the episode where they tried to get NKOTB (new kids on the block) together but they were not too victorious. Jordan Knight (The Surreal Life) did say he would...but the others refused I guess. The band that I would like to se reunited? Stryper.
The band they should destroy? The Offspring is a very good pick, I can't get to the radio fast enough to change that horrible, annoying voice when that band comes on. But I would have to say (and I am going to be hated for this I think) Pearl Jam.
The Pogues would be great, as would the Physc Furs. The Kinks too. The grand daddy would be Led Zeppelin... Most of the 80's bands that I loved had a member od or die. The Ramones, Big Country, The clash, inxs, etc. How about The Jesus and Mary Chain? I'd like to see a show where the band is filmed actually ODing. They could go on the road with Velvet Revolver. Or They could just film the guitarist from Motley Crue at home in his ant farm and wait for him to form a cacoon around himself and die.
Well, I would like to know what is up with Slade (original version "Cum on Feel The Noise" and "Run, Run Away."
But also, Nazareth....early Nazareth, not the mellow Nazareth of the 80s. Hair of the Dog? Razamanaz? Good versions of early hard rock.
Bands to break up? Any manufactured band.
Be well,
Sponge
Even though they have only been apart for about a year,someone must get The Mighty Mighty Bosstones together for one more Hometown throwdown.
Better yet- The J Giels Band. They remain the best Boston band.
I would enjoy seeing one of my favorite bands the Black Crowes but together. It is something i believe will happen eventually anyway once Chris Robinson loosens the noose that Kate{Yoko II}Hudson has grasped around his neck. Rich and Chris have a strange relationship, however they make good music together. I like both of their side projects but a live Crowes concert is always one of my favorites. Well except for the times when Chris goes on one of his crybaby rants about corporate America or people throwing stuff on stage.
Does DB not like "Rock N' Roll" ?
How about another Spinal Tap reunion (with original members Viv Savage and Mick Shrimpton?)Tap's last tour during the summer of '92 was great.
Yes J Hugh Bahls, The J Geils Band is an excellent choice for a reunion. I would shoot a homeless man in the face at close range to see one of Magic Dick's famous harmonica solo's.
Yes Alistair I concur. Your comments are precient and I admire you greatly. I too would resort to hijinks to see the aforementioned J Giels Band. I would taint the blood supply of a third world hospital if I could hear Aint nothin but a house party at one of my soiree's. Ta Ta.
Now this is more important than politics, for sure.
What do you mean Quiet Riot NEVER broke up?
Ohhh I have been biting my nails for hours on the edge of my chair just deliberating over all of the splendid bands that have crossed my record player throughout the years. I would love to rock-out again to one of my favorite all time bands, The Village People. Not to mention that I could see their cute little shorts and studly mustaches to bring back those hot memories of when I was a young buck prancing around in my cowboy costume. Giddie up cowboys! Hehe..(giggle) (giggle). Whooops sorry, I let my emotions get a hold of me there – but I guess that explains my politicsssss which is grappled with emotionalism. Speaking of grappling he he (giggle) (giggle).
The Dead Boys (minus Stiv Bators, obviously) are doing a one-shot reunion show tomorrow night in Cleveland.
