And this time, the person fanning the rumor flames is none other than former Robert Plant fill-in and self-proclaimed "long-time pal" of Jimmy Page David Coverdale, who told the UK's Mirror "I'm expecting a call from Jimmy any day asking my band Whitesnake to support them on their world tour. Am I on board? You bet. Probably worth billions!" Well, more like £250 million, according to the Mirror. The alleged tour, which is now rumored to start in late 2008 or early '09, will supposedly mark the band's 40th anniversary. And hey, if it doesn't work out, perhaps some forward-thinking promoter can book a tour of bands who have claimed to be the Led Zeppelin reunion tour's opening act? I count the Cult, Velvet Revolver, and Whitesnake—surely that could fill at least a thousand seats at an arena. (You could even have Lez Zeppelin open, just to confuse the NME all over again.) [Mirror]
Swervedriver's long-planned reunion will kick off at the Coachella Festival on April 27, followed by a US tour in May and June. Says singer Adam Franklin: "We've actually only had the one get-together at this point in a cheap studio in North London but it sounded surprisingly tight and together—and also more punk rock and unhinged than ever before somehow." Once again, where is that reissue of Raise? [Billboard]
Original Jane's Addiction bassist Eric Avery—who's backed off from participating in his former band's reunion shows and tours because he (perhaps rightly) saw them as little more than cash grabs—has decided to play a few songs with his old mates at next week's invite-only, MySpace-streamed NME Awards USA. The band is picking up a "Godlike Genius Award" at the ceremony, no doubt in part because it new how to monetize that '90s-nostalgia mine when Weiland was still trying to figure out whether or not making an album with Guns N' Roses members was a good idea. Avery was, understandably, somewhat conflicted about even publicly mentioning that he was even considering doing the show, what with "maybe" meaning "yes" in the overheated gossipsphere that the NME helped create.
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As rumored back in October, the legendary Seattle band Green River, which featured future members of Mudhoney, Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam, and Love Battery during its too-short career, will reunite for the Sub Pop 20th anniversary party, scheduled for July 12 and 13 at Seattle's Marymoor Park. Not only will the show also feature hiatus-breaking performances by Red Red Meat, Seaweed, and the Fluid as well, it'll have sets by current acts like Low and No Age. And Mudhoney, obviously. Tickets go on sale April 26! I hope I can meet the guy who runs the grunge-history blog lamestain while I'm there, because I really owe that dude a drink. Full announced lineup after the jump.
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As previously reported in this space, the spaz-pop outfit the Feelies are reuniting for a few shows this summer, and one of those shows will take place on July 4. They're opening for Sonic Youth! At Battery Park! Which means that if you want to go to the show you should start lining up around midnight on June 30 or so. [Billboard]
The reunited Stone Temple Pilots performed for the first time since 2002 at the Harry Houdini Estate in LA on Monday night. The brief set consisted of three singles from Purple, three from Tiny Music...From The Vatican Gift Shop and Core's "Plush." I guess they're saving those deep album cuts from Shangri-La Dee Da for the big tents. Video peppered with off-camera snark after the jump.
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The Specials are reportedly the latest band to be floating the idea of a reunion tour—U.K. only, if it happens—and/or a new album. Perhaps all that talk about a Mighty Mighty Bosstones reunion made the Brit two-town pioneers realize it was finally time to show today's kids what's what. [NME]
Looks like one singer won't be enough for the upcoming Boston tour, their first since the death of original vocalist Brad Delp. We've already told you that ex-Stryper Michael Sweet would be on board, but Tom Scholz (who is Boston, for all intents and purposes), will also bring along Tommy DeCarlo, a fortysomething Home Depot credit manager and father of two. DeCarlo posted a tribute to Delp, " A Man He'll Always Be," on his MySpace page, along with several Boston covers. And Scholz heard.
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Weiland, the estranged singer of Velvet Revolver, has teamed up with members of Army Of Anyone and Bomb Shelter Studios owner Eric Kretz for a tour that will hit more than 50 amphitheaters this summer and fall. And this isn't the only unexpected supergroup that's formed from music's bigger names over the years—other groups have also embarked on tours, while a few have even released albums. Other examples after the jump.
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After much hemming, hawing, and "Hey, I have a solo career too"-ing, the five members of the Boston boy band New Kids on the Block are finally going to get back together in honor of the 20th anniversary of Hangin' Tough, an album that has at least two and a half pop songs that I'm coming around on after all these years. The group's going to make its big announcement on Today this Friday, which would explain the cryptic invitation that was sent to e-fans last night:
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Attention New York City residents who own cars or like to take taxis: July 25 is, as of now, officially a Gridlock Alert day, because early that morning Miley Ray Cyrus will take the stage at Rockefeller Center as part of Today's summer concert series. Also on the docket: Ashlee Simpson (July 4, unless her album gets pushed back again); Alanis Morrissette (May 23); Kenny Chesney (June 13); and a "surprise reunion concert" on May 16 that I'm stumped over, because honestly, what bands can possibly "surprise" America's morning-TV-viewing masses by reuniting at this point? Click the picture of Miley for the full schedule. [TVNewser / Photo: AP]
The Houston Press has an in-depth feature this week on early '80s Texas new wave heroes the Judy's, who recently re-released their catalog on CD and reunited to play at the Austin Music Awards. I first heard of the Judy's my freshman year of high school as I was digging through my dad's record collection, and immediately latched on to their super-mart brand of bass-and-percussion-oriented weirdo pop, which goes above and beyond your run-of-the-mill new wave fare, an especially impressive feat considering that they developed their sound not amid a thriving scene in New York, L.A., or even Austin, but rather in a garage in the (then rural) Houston suburb of Pearland. They became massively popular in Texas, opening for the B-52s and Talking Heads, and packing clubs for their own shows. Their most famous song is an infectious, squealing tribute the Jonestown massacre called "Guyana Punch." Thankfully there's a live 1981 performance of the song, complete with water-tossing and cutoff shorts. Never has mass suicide been so catchy.
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Initially postponing four gigs last week, the reunited, DLR-powered Van Halen has now decided to put their Google-bait tour on hold until at least the April 19 show in Vegas; turns out the mysteriously illin' Eddie still needs a little more time under the watchful eye of a physician/team of physicians/witch doctor/barber with leeches. "According to organizers, Van Halen, who has battled cancer and substance abuse, 'is currently under doctors' care' and will 'continue medical tests to define a course of treatment," sez Billboard. "No further details were made available." Screwed attendees and Wolfgang fans should hang onto their tix until rescheduled dates are announced; 17 shows are currently on hold thanks to Eddie coming down with the vapors/boogie woogie flu/consumption, from tonight's Charlottesville gig through the band's Baltimore stop on April 15. [Billboard/Photo: AP]
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