The Band That Plays Together Stays Together! Last Updated: January 03, 2007 VH1's Bands Reunited got me to thinking recently about music, groups, artists, the current state of the music industry and the untouchable power of groups with their original lineup of musicians. Music is the most powerful force in my life and the main love for me is when bands keep their members intact, keeping the integrity, passion and talents that made the band what it became! Some bands that deserve the utmost of respect and props for keeping on keeping on are:
Martin Gore, Dave Gahan, Andrew Fletcher
Vince Clarke and Alan Wilder (gone but NOT forgotten) Still amazing to this day are the work horse that is Depeche Mode. They almost didn't make this list because I'm still very much upset that Alan Wilder is gone. By the time DM got to their "Songs of Faith & Devotion" album and tour, Alan had become such an integral part of the group, producing and mixing much of the sound both in studio and live as well as playing live drums for the first time in concert! It was my favorite period of theirs not only because of Alan but singer Dave Gahan's freeing frontman Jesus Christ pose (complete with bad-ass long hair and beard). Dave reached a pinnacle due to his heroin abuse and conflicted soul. The combination was nothing short of pure religion in band form. But, right after the F&D album and tour, Alan wussed out and left the band, leaving them hanging and questioning their future. To me, they never were the same. It was at that moment I realized that Alan had become my favorite part of DM. To this day in 2005, over a decade since he left, he still hasn't returned or made any kind of lasting musical legacy. Quite a shame considering he had become the sound meistro of DM and was so cool on top of it all. Even with all that said (or written), Depeche Mode are still here and very much alive even if they've enlisted a slew of musical producers and sound folk since Wilder's departure to help with things! They're a band that has played and stayed together! Oh, I almost forgot founding member Vince Clarke who left to form first Yaz and then Erasure. He's not the reason I like Depeche and where he's at now with Andy Bell in Erasure is and has been the perfect fit for him.
Morten Harket, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy & Magne F. This band of three has been going strong (except for a few years off in the 90s somewhere) since the beginning and released their last full release 'Analogue' in late 2005, which is highly recommended. 'Celice', the opening track opens with a wailing guitar and when the drum roll begins and the drummer screams out, "One-Two-Three-Four" before launching into a incredibly driven back beat, you will be stunned at the power this band still possesses. And, that's not even touching the lyrics. "Celice...It's in the way you hurt me. Celice...I know that I'm alive. Open up inside. Make me want you...Make me want to. Wrap yourself around me. Hold me tighter...Hold me tight like only you can." Amazing how A-ha have not only retained their looks but grown into a better band in style, talent and sound. These guys are one of the most underrated bands in the world (mainly America) with most people thinking they've long broke up. Unfortunate because they are nothing short of amazing in songwriting and performance. And, Morten's brilliant voice is just as powerful as it ever was!
Exene Cervenka, John Doe, D.J. Bonebrake, Billy Zoom A phenomenon to me, I bow before their continuing journey as a pure punk-rock-dual vocal band without peer. Nothing short of a Godsend in this world of manufactured fluffy music and a must see! Amazing they are still alive and more importantly, better than they've ever been and still together!
Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Andy Taylor, Roger Taylor It's utterly amazing to me that after a decade plus apart, the "Fab Five" have gotten back together and patched up all differences and problems. Mucho kudos to them for being that strong! Yes! And, their most recent release 'Astronaut' and Live DVD are the best things they've ever done. Who says bands don't get better with age and experience? I do. And, after watching their Live DVD, you'll be converted too. Truly the FAB FIVE.
Michael Hutchence, Kirk Pengilly, Garry Beers, Jon Farriss, Andrew Farriss, Tim Farriss and...J.D. Fortune?? Yeah, I know that Michael Hutchence died, but to me, that only made the rest of the band stronger and it's an incredible testament to the power and brotherhood of a band for the remaining five members to stay together all the way up to 2005 with the American network show, "Rock Star INXS" where the remaining 5 band members picked J.D. Fortune out of 15 aspiring singers from all over the planet to be their new lead singer! The way I look at it, when Michael Hutchence checked himself out of this world, all bets were off as to his say in anything, let alone the other five members left without him. Like Led Zeppelin (get Jason Bonham, John's son to play drums) and The Beatles (get JULIAN Lennon to replace John) should have done, INXS stayed together and in 2005, just released 'Switch' with J.D. Fortune on vocals. The album is incredible and they're on the right foot to a revival!
Neil Tennant & Chris Lowe This band may only be two people but these two stellar artists have consistently put out powerful and beautiful songs, albums, CDs and videos over the years and show absolutely no signs of slowing down in any way shape or form. They are an all powerful synth based duo of unmatched & unparalleled musical genius along with a magnificent, incredible and seemingly never-ending song catalog! Add to that the complete albums they wrote and produced for legends like Liza Minelli and Dusty Springfield and the full blown musical "Closer To Heaven" that they wrote and you get an idea that these two gentlemen are nothing short of miraculous!
Marc Almond & Dave Ball Even though this band was dormant for over a decade, they have always remained friends and sometimes collaborators. It wasn't until the 21st century however before they resumed "Soft Cell" to great fanfare with a CD of all new material as well as a world tour. Comparing Marc & Dave's performance then and now, I would have to say that they are better now than they've have been! A stellar synth based duo that mixes equal parts drama and cabaret to stunning effect! And, even though singer Marc Almond was in a tragic motorcycle accident that he's still recovering from, the future looks bright for Soft Cell.
Martyn Ware, Glenn Gregory, Ian Craig Marsh Synth pop/dance doesn't get as funky as this, but with this motley band of three it does. Around since the 80's when two thirds of Heaven 17 (Gregory & Marsh) walked away from Human League and Phillip Oakey to form this new band with Ware. This cool and funky threesome have remained a solid and influential force ever since, making such an impression as to even be sampled and used in the hip-hop community. They are a powerful statement of solidarity, comitment and integrity that is still going strong in 2005. From then to now, they've produced synthesizer based music that is a unique mix of electro-pop, soul and funk.
Annie Lennox & David A. Stewart This amazing couple have continued to produce some of the most beautiful and inspiring music from their humble beginnings in the late 70's all the way to today. Even though there was a time of inactivity in the 90's, they managed to reunite to phenomenal results!
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