The Blades getting back together?

Blade_boy

Does anybody have any information on the rumoured Blades reunion? If not what are your thoughts on the matter?

I saw Paul Cleary live at The Philip Chevron Testimonial in the Olympia on 24th August and he was certainly on form, lets hope the reformation comes to pass.

So far there's been an "official" Facebook page been set up:
https://www.facebook.com/thebladesofficialpage?ref=hl

An article on Phantom's website:
http://www.phantom.ie/page/190.195/3317/1/The_Blades_set_to_reform

Ian Dempsey's Twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/IanDempsey/status/375365681724014593

And still no word from their last label (Reekus Records) on the matter.

I for one would love to see The Blades reform.

saintsaltynuts

Na theres not a ghost of a chance.

Hippo

Probable gig in December, but don't think there'll be a full, er, reunion.

Peter Visibility

No band should ever get back together. Ever. Anyone who has witnessed Black Francis vainly trying to look like he gives a f$$k about some of the greatest rock songs ever written on Sky Arts one will know what I mean. I love the Blades but the Pixies they weren't. This is the worst idea I've heard in a long time. It's hard to believe in this youtube, everything is available era that with some things you just had to be there.

Hippo

Peter Visibility wrote: »

No band should ever get back together. Ever. Anyone who has witnessed Black Francis vainly trying to look like he gives a f$$k about some of the greatest rock songs ever written on Sky Arts one will know what I mean. I love the Blades but the Pixies they weren't. This is the worst idea I've heard in a long time. It's hard to believe in this youtube, everything is available era that with some things you just had to be there.

If a band wants to do it and people want to see them then I don't really see what the problem is. Sure, it'll be different from their peak but that doesn't necessarily matter.

As regards the 'worst idea I've heard in a long time', The Script will probably continue to make recordings. That's a considerably worse idea.

Peter Visibility

Hippo wrote: »

If a band wants to do it and people want to see them then I don't really see what the problem is. Sure, it'll be different from their peak but that doesn't necessarily matter.

This argument could be used to justify The Script releasing more recordings which we both agree is an appalling vista.

As for the reunions;
These are supposed to be creative people, come up with a new name and some new songs to throw in the mix and stop using the good will generated from a glorious, distant past to sell tickets to a probably bleaker present.

I may have gone overboard on the worst idea bit but when you exclude everything except music it's still pretty bad.

Hippo

I suspect this argument won't really go anywhere - but creative people don't necessarily have to be endlessly and repeatedly creative, or producing something new. If someone at one stage of their life produced something genuinely good I have no difficulty with them reproducing that in performance at some other time, especially if there is an audience for it. If they have something new to display, then great. If not it's no big deal.

I would never have paid money to see a reformed Sex Pistols much as I enjoyed them first time around, but if others are happy to then that's fine, let them get on with it.

Johnny Jukebox

Peter Visibility wrote: »

No band should ever get back together. Ever. Anyone who has witnessed Black Francis vainly trying to look like he gives a f$$k about some of the greatest rock songs ever written on Sky Arts one will know what I mean. I love the Blades but the Pixies they weren't. This is the worst idea I've heard in a long time. It's hard to believe in this youtube, everything is available era that with some things you just had to be there.

Nonsense. Delighted to see the Blades play again and an opportunity to hear all those brilliant songs live again. And I was there.

Mr Whirly

Looking forward to this one. The standing tickets sold out in 2 days. I'd imagine there will be a second date added.

Johnny Jukebox

Still a few standing tickets in the Sound Cellar...

Peter Visibility

Hey, knock yourselves out. Why don't we fill all our venues with bands who broke up 27 years ago. If we'd only done that in 1977 The Blades would have never got a gig and we never would have witnessed their tuneful brilliance. I'm gonna go and watch whoever's on in The Workmans Club that night and I'll let you know how I got on. Maybe youse can catch their reunion show in 2040!

Here's my top five Blades songs;

1. Ghost Of A Chance
2. Animation.
3. Downmarket
4. Chance To Stop
5. The Bride Wore White.

Mr Whirly

That's some mad reasoning you have there. I know quite a few people heading to this gig. None of us were around to see them in the 70's, most of us weren't born.

All of us are regular gig goers. What's the problem?

Murph_D

Johnny Jukebox wrote: »

Still a few standing tickets in the Sound Cellar...

Thanks for the heads up. Got a pair there on Fri - sweet! Hadn't been in the place in years. Had forgotten it was a good place for "sold out" tickets.

Mooby

Is Tommy still in the Sound Cellar? I used to spend a lot of time in there

Murph_D

He is indeed.

Manuel

Extra date now, the Saturday. Is this true?

Murph_D

That's what it says here and here alright.

trashcan

Peter Visibility wrote: »

As for the reunions;
These are supposed to be creative people, come up with a new name and some new songs to throw in the mix and stop using the good will generated from a glorious, distant past to sell tickets to a probably bleaker present.

I may have gone overboard on the worst idea bit but when you exclude everything except music it's still pretty bad.

Ah come on Peter, don't be such a grumpy old curmudgeon. As a long standing Blades fan who never saw them live I'm looking forward to it. And even if it is an exercise in nostalgia, so what ? I'd expect they will still sound good (it's not as if they're the 70 year old Rolling Stones) and if they make a few bob from it, who could begrudge them that ? They deserved to do much better when they were going first time around.

trashcan

Well anybody else at this last night ? It was superb. Paul Cleary and the band rolled back the years effortlessly. Hearing perhaps the greatest ever Irish pop/rock single performed live for the first time was an epic experience. I've never punched the air at a gig before, but by Christ I did last night, when it came to the line ..."I'm standing at a bus stop...." Fabulous.

Murph_D

I was there but while I enjoyed it, and the band sounded great, I didn't think Cleary seemed to be enjoying himself and I found the whole performance a bit lacking in energy and intensity as a result. Maybe the second night was better.

Hippo

I couldn't disagree more! Second night was great as well, he was very relaxed.