Itchy Brighton article

Reformed jams

Itchy looks at the new musical reformation

Back in the 16th century one of the most important cultural revolutions ever happened: The Reformation. The fabric of our very society was unpicked and stitched back together in an entirely new structure, and our nation’s worldview changed forever. So who’d have thought that come the 21st century we’d find ourselves in the middle of a new revolution? But whereas back in the day they got their academic freedom and new ways of thinking, we’re lumped with a load of musical has-beens reforming their bands to pay the school fees.

Not of course that the public don’t love it. Just take a look at the success of Take That. Despite Gary Barlow having spent the years since their massive 90s success stuffing his face with Curly Wurlys, and Mark Owen losing the ability to engage in cogent conversation, nowadays they’re raking it in quicker than a gardener with OCD. Following an ITV documentary prompting a sales spike, they went on a UK tour, and despite Robbie refusing to play ball, their popularity is such that they won a 2007 Brit Award for Best Single.

Now everyone’s making like the smashed-up remnants of a pig carcass and reforming for the mass market. Rock stars The Police shocked the world when they recently reunited to perform at the Grammys for the first time in the band’s history, Genesis and The Jam are recycling their back catalogue, and Boyzone are rumoured to be the latest addition to the collection of has-beens struggling to make a living. Although sadly, what with the East 17 comeback not lasting longer than one gig, the greatest performance Brian Harvey’s put on in the last couple of years is blaming the fact that he reversed over his own head on the perils of overindulging in jacket potatoes.

Still, pop stars should be wary. As Mark Sutherland, Billboard magazine’s London bureau chief recently said in a BBC News article, there’s one reason for a reformation: ‘It’s called money…essentially that’s what a reunion boils down to.’ However, it ain’t all a bed of roses. All Saints’ recent attempt to squeeze some more life out of their career didn’t go quite so well, with their album only reaching number 40 and the press now vibrating with rumours of them being dropped by their label.

Still, there is an upside to all this rehashing of tired old bands – good causes benefit. The Spice Girls are said to be reforming for a charity concert and some of the proceeds from The Police summer tour will also be going to charity. We knew there had to be an upside to all this nonsense.

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I'm looking forward to the Jam show!
- Andy from Manchester on 12/11/2007 -

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