What I learned from "Bands Reunited"
Published January 31, 2004
As many of you know, VH1 has been running a series called Bands Reunited show. I've now seen the entire series, and I think I may be able to pass along some wit and wisdom. Let's see....
Overall... It's a good idea to hang on to the contact information of your former bandmates and to try and keep current with the info. And it's a good idea to play your instrument occasionally so that at the twenty year reunion, you don't have to look at the camera and say "I haven't played the drums in nineteen years. Jeez, I hope this works..."
A Flock of Seagulls — You know, I don't think there was much to learn there. Maybe if you're going to be a band with your brother, you shouldn't stop speaking to him. Your family is far more important than the band.
Berlin — It's important to establish the way in which credit will be handed out in the band earlier, as opposed to later.
Dramarama — Try not to break up with your bandmates publicly on the radio. And, if, after you reunited with the band (saying how wonderful it was to be playing again), you are then offered to play a "huge California music festival", don't break up the band over it. Again.
Extreme — When the other members of the band tell you to walk softly around the guitarist, it's probably not a good idea to surprise the guitarist with a camera crew in public while he's eating lunch. In fact, the whole "ambush interview" thing probably should be reconsidered.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood — Keep some perspective on your work. No matter how good or bad your one hit was, it's only one song and it's only music.
Kajagoogoo — Know what the strength/asset of your band is, and don't fire said strength/asset.
Klymaxx — It's important to have legal contracts between members of a band regarding ownership and intellectual property.
Romeo Void — I'm still not sure as to who this band is; but the lesson here is that record companies tend to place more emphasis on image than sound.
Squeeze — I didn't get much of anything from this one; don't know what to tell you.
The Alarm — It's probably not a good idea to quit your band. On stage, in front of an audience. Without warning your bandmates.
- What I learned from "Bands Reunited"
- Published: January 31, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Music: Pop, Video: Television
- Writer: Casper
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Comments
See Bill Sherman's excellent discussion of Romeo Void here.
What scares me most about BANDS REUNITED is seeing people that 20 years ago were on top of the world, and now they have ho hum jobs amd live quiet lives of desperation. Then you see them transform for ONE NIGHT ONLY, and the rock n roll star comes out oh so briefly. You would think having a hit record or two would change your life! But it doesn't last! How many times have you heard "I RAN" or "RELAX", and look at what they all have become! I never thought the people I worshipped in the 80s would end up this way. And I am not sure I want to know all of this!
Remember this: the music is magical and eternal, but the business side of it is not. Once your popularity fades, unless you are a successful songwriter, a studio musician, or can get into the business side of the industry, there isn't much left for you to do except get a freaking job.
What scares me most about BANDS REUNITED is seeing people that 20 years ago were on top of the world, and now they have ho hum jobs amd live quiet lives of desperation.
Some of them look like they're just living quiet lives. And I don't see how that's necessarily a bad thing. The more I see and hear about the pop star lifestyle, the more it just looks annoying, stressful and lacking in substance.













Romeo Void did "I might like you better if we slept together". I think the actual title was "Never Say Never". They also did, "A Girl in Trouble is a Temporary Thing". These songs get played more today on nostalgic 80's radio programs than they ever did when they were new.
They did a song called "Going to Neon" which is instrumental but you've almost certainly heard it. It's often played as background music on the weather channel and on commercials and about a thousand other things.
Pretty good band but they never could seem to get their shit together.