Comeback Bands

Bands Coming Back

My taste in music was pretty hip in my late teens, early twenties. Before that, it was rather touch and go, depending on the crowd I was hanging with at the time. For a long stretch after I became a parent I listened to only my existing cds or the classic rock stations. I already knew all the words so it was easy and comfortable. The classic rock songs were a reminder of my childhood. Several years back, once my children got old enough to program an mp3 player and develop their own taste in music, I realized I should start listening to some new music for them. I put on my old favourite alternative rock station, but was worried I would hate everything I heard.

To my extreme delight, that first day I heard not one, but two songs that I fell in love with. I was delighted that I was still hip enough to love the newest, coolest music. The minute I got home I checked to see what my new favourite bands were. (Can I just say how much I love the internet, just for lyrics sites alone? There were so many time that I have asked, “What’s that song? The one that goes “blah, blah, blah… You know?” It’s amazing! I can find out in seconds!)

My reaction? You have got to be joking. What do you mean Weezer?!?! Although I was excited that Weezer had made a new album, it really didn’t prove my “I’m hip enough to like cool music” theory. I was technically probably just recognizing a sound that was already familiar. My Weezer cds from a DECADE ago were well-worn on my shelf.

I got my hopes up with my second song. I was not familiar with Gorillaz but I soon discovered with some research that the song Feelgood Inc. was a joint effort with one of my faves also from a decade ago, Blur and a band whose tape – that’s right, TAPE – that was given to me in grade 11, De La Soul.

Although I wasn’t exactly hip on the new music scene I definitely had really cool taste. And my kids are ahead of the game. Last fall I joined them for their first concert: The Who – of course, a comeback band.

As far as comeback bands go, a really hot comeback band this year: New Kids

I can’t help but laugh thinking about Jon Bon Jovi’s frosted hairdo he used to wear as I notice other women my age lusting over his comeback career.

Of course being a woman in denial of my increasing age, I am ecstatic that so many musicians are making their “revivals”. They should keep at it if they were talented then still as talented now, by all means. It takes me back, and encourages me at the same time: If they can still rock, I can’t be THAT old.

I’m just waiting any day now to look over my daughter’s shoulder to see her searching for New Kids songs or the like. I will make sure her dad isn’t listening and say, “It goes like this. I know all the words. I attended their concert in grade nine.” I wish I would’ve kept my New Kids on the Block t-shirt!