We should put that record on

Bands used to die and stay dead.

But these days, with reissues and nostalgia being big money, bands are resurrecting themselves willy nilly.

My question is, should they bother? Some are welcome. Most are not. Most scream of desperation. Whether it's the need for money or the draw of fame, these days bands just don't know when to call it a day. Nostalgia plays a part. And time can heal old wounds. Differences that caused the split are forgiven and forgotten. Older and wiser, this time it's all about the music.

Except it's not. It's really about the ego. Or the fame. Or the failed solo career. Or the huge wad of money being thrown at them by the record company or promoter. Who cares about sullying your reputation when there’s money to be made? So a record gets released. Press releases throw around hyperbole like it's going out of fashion. Return to form this. Good to have them back that. Occasionally it's true but more often than not, the band comes back as a shadow of themselves. With no drive or fire, they end up resembling their own tribute act. For every successful comeback, there's a dozen more embarrassing ones.

And yes, there's a few bands I'd love to have seen live but I hope they don't reform. The eternal hypocrite in me knows that yes, I probably would pay to see The Smiths back together. But at the same I hope Morrissey sticks to his guns and never agrees to it. Never puts me in that quandry. I hope that if and when Radiohead break up, they stay broken. I know I'll be watching The Verve at Glastonbury. I'm just not sure how I'll feel about it.

In truth, I'd rather stick with the old records than have my favourite bands reform and shit all over my memories from a great height. I don't believe that music should be made by the young for the young. There's enough older musicians making great music to prove that wrong. But I do believe that bands have a shelf life. Creativity dries up. External influences creep in. People get older and want different things. To deny and carry on regardless is crazy. It's blinkered. There's nothing worse than seeing a bunch of old men going through the motions. No sadder sight that a band trying to recapture the spirit and energy of their youth. I saw New Order, I know what I'm talking about.

What's worse though, are the bands that refuse to recognise how the comeback works. It's built on the past. That's why the audience is there. To revive a memory. It's what they've paid their money for. They're not there for new songs. That's when they nip to the toilet or to the bar. Refusing to recognise what the crowd wants doesn't do anyone any good. They want to sing along to the songs they know and nothing more. So is it really worth it? I guess the answer to that question ultimately lies in the band's bank balance or in what you want from your music.

And if you're wondering what triggered this rant, it's because The Organ have just anounced the release of an new EP in October. However, seeing as they split just over 12 months ago, it's not new material as such, it's unreleased stuff recorded before the split. And I'm really excited to hear it because I loved their sound. Equal parts Smiths, Blondie and The Cure. They released just one great record and probably never fulfilled their potential. Instead, they split up. Probably for a good reason. And ultimately if you need a reason why they shouldn't reform, that would be it. A year isn't a long time but it's long enough to have lost the bond that brought them together and inspired their music. So let's be sad that they won't make any more music but happy that we're able to enjoy what they left us with. And let's stay that way, right up until I'm made to eat my words.

The Organ - a sudden death (live session version)

The Organ - basement band song (live session version)

The Organ - can you tell me (live session version)

The Organ - grab that gun (live session version)

mp3 / music / the organ