An influential post-punk band is reforming (for the first time) to tour some time next year!

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

We played this game just over a year ago,

The original line-up of a highly influential post-punk band is reforming (for the first time) to tour later this year !

and it's time to play again. Again, it looks like all of the original members.

Who do you think (hope) it is?

I cannot give clues or info at this time (I gave my word), except that I'd never thought that they'd ever play together again.

― peepee (peepee), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 17:51 (twenty years ago)

OMG THE JAM!

― donut ferry (donut), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 17:53 (twenty years ago)

Ummmm...jelly donut

― Homer Alone, Wednesday, 3 August 2005 17:54 (twenty years ago)

So it's Public IMage for real this time?! That'll be great.

― Draw Tipsy, ya hack. (dave225.3), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 17:55 (twenty years ago)

THE FALL!

― donut ferry (donut), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 17:56 (twenty years ago)

HOWARD JONES!

― donut ferry (donut), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 17:56 (twenty years ago)

Josef K

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 17:57 (twenty years ago)

The Brotherhood of Man. Like I care.

― Anti-Pope Consortium (noodle vague), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 17:58 (twenty years ago)

Magazine, I reckon.

― tolstoy (tolstoy), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:00 (twenty years ago)

I heard a Josef K rumor a while ago.

Magazine's guitarist passed away last year, I believe.

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:02 (twenty years ago)

We've already played this pointless game once. John McGeoch's being dead kind of rules out Magazine.

― Anti-Pope Consortium (noodle vague), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:02 (twenty years ago)

The Pop Group?

― donut ferry (donut), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:04 (twenty years ago)

Damn. I thought we could get round that one. Are we only allowed to play the once?

― tolstoy (tolstoy), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:06 (twenty years ago)

The Chameleons?

― donut ferry (donut), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:07 (twenty years ago)

delta 5?

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:10 (twenty years ago)

Disco Inferno?

― tolstoy (tolstoy), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:12 (twenty years ago)

aren't "influential" and "post-punk" at odds here?

― rentboy (rentboy), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:13 (twenty years ago)

OH TEH ZING

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:16 (twenty years ago)

The Specials, isn't it? Donut, here's the story -- ran into Tazy Phillipz the other day (strange but true) and he's heard that some demi-tycoon in the UK who is friends with both Terry Hall and Jerry Dammers is behind getting the original band back together for a tour.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:16 (twenty years ago)

FLYING LIZARDS???

― Half Moon Empty Sports Bag (sexyDancer), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:19 (twenty years ago)

'The Specials'? Post-punk?!

― tolstoy (tolstoy), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:19 (twenty years ago)

If you believe Simon Reynolds. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:19 (twenty years ago)

I really wish it was Talking Heads.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:23 (twenty years ago)

The Replacements?

― Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:23 (twenty years ago)

DAF?

― chris besinger (chris besinger), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:26 (twenty years ago)

Peters and Lee?

― tolstoy (tolstoy), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:28 (twenty years ago)

Hmmm, the original Specials. Interesting. Don't know exactly what to say now, actually.

I mean, it won't be 1979 again... but the album is a Top 10 personal classic for me, but specifically an intimate classic. I'm kinda speechless... in neither disgust nor ecstasy. Just.. hmmm.

― donut ferry (donut), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:36 (twenty years ago)

The Happy Family? XTC?

― ken taylrr (ken taylrr), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:39 (twenty years ago)

..i mean, had it not been for the 90s "Specials", I'd be far more ecstatic. This could go either way, if true. I hope it's not just the 90s Specials doing older songs with Terry looking forced and bored on stage...

...or it could be truly godlike.

― donut ferry (donut), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 18:41 (twenty years ago)

I would much rather see The (English) Beat reform than The Specials.

― Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 19:03 (twenty years ago)

I'm kinda speechless... in neither disgust nor ecstasy. Just.. hmmm.

I'm with you, it was a very 'caught off guard' thing. We'll just have to see...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 19:05 (twenty years ago)

I would much rather see The (English) Beat reform than The Specials.

A very understandeable thing to say, if you don't live in O.C., where Dave Wakeling plays weekly still (but correct me if I'm wrong.)

― donut ferry (donut), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 19:07 (twenty years ago)

Specials would be cool though, no doubt.

― Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 19:07 (twenty years ago)

either PiL or Pop Group, the rest can sod off!

great news then, thx

― rizzx (Rizz), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 19:08 (twenty years ago)

Of COURSE it is Husker Du, I don't care what Bob, Grant, Or Greg say.

― morganj, Wednesday, 3 August 2005 19:10 (twenty years ago)

If it's the Specials it'll hold some fascination in the same way as a dog with three legs.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 20:21 (twenty years ago)

You like that last Alice in Chains album too, eh?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 20:22 (twenty years ago)

I've floated a Husker Du reunion here before and was basically laughed at.

― Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 20:53 (twenty years ago)

As far as I know, this band has not played in any form since 1980.

― peepee (peepee), Thursday, 4 August 2005 13:46 (twenty years ago)

Oh, right, Journey.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 4 August 2005 13:51 (twenty years ago)

Family Fodder

― - (smile), Thursday, 4 August 2005 14:16 (twenty years ago)

NU SHOOZ

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 4 August 2005 14:17 (twenty years ago)

wow, I can't wait!

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Thursday, 4 August 2005 14:25 (twenty years ago)

i cracked the code

it's Pere Ubu

thx

― rizzx (Rizz), Thursday, 4 August 2005 16:16 (twenty years ago)

Wrong:

As far as I know, this band has not played in any form since 1980.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 4 August 2005 16:17 (twenty years ago)

hmm didnt know that for sure

they're scheduled to play brussels in september which makes me just very exciting

― rizzx (Rizz), Thursday, 4 August 2005 16:20 (twenty years ago)

so when are we actually gonna get an answer to this?

― Fetchboy (Felcher), Thursday, 4 August 2005 18:24 (twenty years ago)

when I get permission to say so (ie., when the deal is finalized...it seems fairly close now)

― peepee (peepee), Thursday, 4 August 2005 18:59 (twenty years ago)

PeePee is secretly superagent Mike Ovitz.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 4 August 2005 19:01 (twenty years ago)

I would much rather see The (English) Beat reform than The Specials.

It happened on Bands Reunited on VH1!!

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 4 August 2005 19:09 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 40 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

INXS

― INXS, Thursday, 1 September 2005 17:13 (twenty years ago)

BLACK TAMBOURINE?!?!

― Richard Wood Johnson, Thursday, 1 September 2005 17:16 (twenty years ago)

it's Vanity 6. They are post-punk, and influential insofar as they influenced me to shake that ass.

Gang of Four influence a-go-go!

My new hope: URBAN DANCE SQUAD

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 1 September 2005 17:22 (twenty years ago)

Urban Dance Squad's only spin-off was that dude's Charlie Brown t-shirt.

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Thursday, 1 September 2005 17:35 (twenty years ago)

so, let's end the suspense: it's the Three O'Clock, apparently

― Richard Wood Johnson, Thursday, 8 September 2005 23:37 (twenty years ago)

*crickets*

(And I *like* the Three O'Clock for heaven's sake, but PUH-LEEZ, the thread title was oversold.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 8 September 2005 23:40 (twenty years ago)

For whatever it's worth, here are the Pere Ubu dates:

http://ubuprojex.net/calendar.html

― There's a tipsy ghost on the edge of my couch (Bimble...), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:02 (twenty years ago)

RE: "Tipsy Ghost..."

I recognize that moniker! (He tries to be well behaved, but he often takes a drink...)

― Daniel Peterson (polkaholic), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:17 (twenty years ago)

I'm glad it's the Three O'Clock and not some damn overrated Britishes band.

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:51 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, Black Sabbath suck, man.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:51 (twenty years ago)

Is Louis Gutierrez involved?

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:52 (twenty years ago)

Ned, I wasn't saying all British bands suck or anything.

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:53 (twenty years ago)

Nah, just all American bands.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:54 (twenty years ago)

I still can't say...but they're overrated (according to Tim)

― peepee (peepee), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:54 (twenty years ago)

I don't understand your reply, Ned!

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:55 (twenty years ago)

Heheh.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:56 (twenty years ago)

And so, wait, this is a band that I said was overrated at some point? Or you're extrapolating like Ned did that I was saying that all British bands are overrated?

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:56 (twenty years ago)

Tim.....the Brittttish thang....though I'm sure there's those who say that the band in question is overrated.

― peepee (peepee), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 20:59 (twenty years ago)

Hey....Waitaminute! You tricked me into giving another clue.

― peepee (peepee), Wednesday, 14 September 2005 21:00 (twenty years ago)

well, not post punk, but leeds favourites the bridewell taxis have reformed, and are playing a (sold out) gig, dont know if more to follow or not

― terry lennox. (gareth), Saturday, 24 September 2005 14:05 (twenty years ago)

two weeks pass...

Oh I guess this turned out to be A Certain Ratio

― kyle (akmonday), Sunday, 9 October 2005 22:18 (twenty years ago)

no comment?

― kyle (akmonday), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 18:20 (twenty years ago)

I never realized they really broke up, or at least, they were still periodically putting out records into the 90s right? I'm still excited but it's not quite as exciting as the idea of some band that hasn't spoken to each other since 79, you know?

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 18:27 (twenty years ago)

oh i totally missed the three o'clock revelation. because i didn't care!

― kyle (akmonday), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 18:45 (twenty years ago)

NOT ACR
(As far as I know, this band has not played in any form since 1980)

― peepee (peepee), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 20:00 (twenty years ago)

I bet it's The Pop Group.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 20:03 (twenty years ago)

oh I hope so.

― Lion-O (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 20:10 (twenty years ago)

ACR has played in a few forms...they even put out a live record in 1985.

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 20:17 (twenty years ago)

Mark Stewart's playing with the Maffia in berlin shortly. Sherwood on the mixing board.

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 20:18 (twenty years ago)

It's great when bands you are only just getting into decide to reform.

Or is it?

― Lion-O (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 20:19 (twenty years ago)

We've done this before.

― k/l (Ken L), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 20:46 (twenty years ago)

Clue:

I just read the band-in-question referred to as "forgotten extremists" in a recent book review.

― peepee (peepee), Wednesday, 12 October 2005 15:46 (twenty years ago)

That gave it away. Pop Group. For sure.

― John Justen (johnjusten), Wednesday, 12 October 2005 16:01 (twenty years ago)

http://www.lrb.co.uk/v27/n17/beck01_.html

― todd (todd), Wednesday, 12 October 2005 17:25 (twenty years ago)

I thought I agreed a long time ago that it was PiL.

― when something smacks of something (dave225.3), Wednesday, 12 October 2005 17:45 (twenty years ago)

four years pass...

Almost 5 years later......its............ The Pop Group.

― peepee, Tuesday, 27 July 2010 01:33 (fifteen years ago)

http://thepopgroup.net/

― peepee, Tuesday, 27 July 2010 01:55 (fifteen years ago)

An album, plus more dates?

― peepee, Tuesday, 27 July 2010 12:43 (fifteen years ago)

.....hmmmmm....I'd thought this would be big news for some of yous

― peepee, Wednesday, 28 July 2010 00:00 (fifteen years ago)

I will check this out for sure

― Snop Snitchin, Wednesday, 28 July 2010 02:10 (fifteen years ago)

I'm interviewing Mark today. Need to think of some questions.

― Duran (Doran), Wednesday, 28 July 2010 07:20 (fifteen years ago)

So....What did Mark have to say?

― peepee, Thursday, 29 July 2010 16:58 (fifteen years ago)

I'm excited

― European Bob (admrl), Thursday, 29 July 2010 17:27 (fifteen years ago)

Was that a direct quote?

― Mick's comedy barking (KMS), Thursday, 29 July 2010 17:41 (fifteen years ago)

I likes 'em. Will they come to the U.S.?

― Fastnbulbous, Friday, 30 July 2010 00:42 (fifteen years ago)

He was a very interesting if somewhat overwhelming interviewee. A charming guy if stridently oppositional - even if you're not giving him anything to oppose. I can imagine working with him must take a certain temperament.

I'm talking to the guys at Blast First and Some Friendly about some things but I'll put a link to the interview here when I publish it.

What I will say is this: his ideas for what The Pop Group should or will sound like after reformation are amazing.

― Duran (Doran), Friday, 30 July 2010 08:17 (fifteen years ago)

A charming guy if stridently oppositional - even if you're not giving him anything to oppose

this does not come as a surprise.

the memory of a stare he gave an audience member at a recent(ish) hometown gig still sends shivers down my spine.

and was there not a time when he was seriously paranoid re the whole world (memories of an old NME article are failing me, but the whole premise of the interview/article was that he really did not trust anyone) ?

― mark e, Friday, 30 July 2010 08:43 (fifteen years ago)

one month passes...

I usually don't do this but it's not like that many people are going to read it anyway and the whole experience did take five years off my life expectancy.

Beyond The Mirror: Mark Stewart Of The Pop Group And The Maffia Interviewed

Mark E of this parish gets a starring role...

― Duran (Doran), Tuesday, 7 September 2010 13:38 (fifteen years ago)

During the interview in The Griffin on Leonard Street,

Our office's local boozer!

― Tom A. (Tom B.) (Tom C.) (Tom D.), Tuesday, 7 September 2010 13:43 (fifteen years ago)

I used to work round the corner in Zetland House in the mid 90s when I first moved to London so it used to be my local as well. Weatherall and David Holmes used to do nights in the room upstairs. I used to DJ in the basement bar over the road, Three Blind Mice, formerly Smersh.

― Duran (Doran), Tuesday, 7 September 2010 14:08 (fifteen years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.