NOTHING ACHIEVING

Now that the lovey-dovey stuff has passed on for another 12 months, it’s time to start afresh here at TVV.

You’ll probably have noticed that The Police are the latest band from days of old to bless us with news that they are to reform and go on tour. I’m happy to admit that this was the main band on stage at my first major concert at the Glasgow Apollo back in May 1979, and I subsequently saw them on a couple more occasions in later years. But I’m afraid that I will not be joining the throngs who will be sitting nervously by their PCs, credit cards at the ready, the day that the tickets for the world tour become available. For this has to be just about the most pointless band reunion imaginable.

It’s not that I’m adverse to going along and watching old bands who have come back together – Lloyd Cole & The Commotions was a great event a couple of years back, and I’m looking forward to seeing James when they come to Glasgow in a couple of months time. I’ve also enjoyed recent gigs by Echo & The Bunnymen and The Wedding Present. And I’ll be near the front of the queue if Matt Johnston takes any version of The The back out on the road.

Lawrence Donegan, the bass player with the Commotions, is now an established journalist, and writing in a Scottish newspaper yesterday, he made no bones about it – bands reform for one reason alone, and that’s to make money. John Lydon et al said much the same when they dubbed the Sex Pistols reunion as the Filthy Lucre tour.

There’s nothing wrong with that. If I still enjoy a band, and the songs still mean something to me, I’m happy to shell-out and see my former heroes in action.

As far as the Commotions, and for that matter James, are concerned, these are bands that were never hugely successful for a sustained period of time. Yes, they had hits in the UK and Europe, but they never cracked the world-market in any meaningful way. As such, they never made enough of a living out of music to simply quit and live a life of leisure in complete luxury. Indeed, most of Commotions now hold down full-time jobs outside of the music industry - in other words, they have employment that pays a wage or salary. So they’re not that different from most of the rest of us (except for having quite a bit of musical talent I suppose). And if they can ride a wave of nostalgia that helps bring in some extra cash that pays a few more bills, then good luck to them.

But Sting and co are minted. And guitarist Andy Summers, at the age of 64, just about qualifies for his free bus pass and other sundry benefits. They surely can’t be doing it for the money.

So, if it’s not cash, then it can only be ego. It’s all about expecting tens of thousands of lemmings to come along to a big shed, and wave their arms in the air while singing ‘yo, yo, yo, yo.’ Walking On The Moon?? Only if you can get a gravity-defying zimmer frame…..

Count Me Out.

Anyone willing to bet that the set list doesn't include these two tracks:-

mp3 : The Police - Fall Out
mp3 : The Police - Landlord

But then again, Sting might insist on them just to show that the band hasn't lost touch with its new wave roots. Wanker.

You’ll find CDs by The Police everywhere. But don’t rush out and buy any of the music. Spend your money instead on more deserving bands such as any of these, all of whom were reviewed live back on 23 October 2006. It's in the archives under Reasons To Be Cheerful - 1,2,3..-

mp3 : The View - Posh Boys
mp3 : The Grates - Science Is Golden
mp3 : The Young Knives - Loughborough Suicide

Here endeth the sermon.