XFM Column

The Jesus and Mary Chain. Van Halen. Rage Against The Machine. The Police. James. Not just a random list of bands – but bands who have recently reformed to take to the road for one last hurrah. It's the latest trend in the musical world and it seems not a day passes without a disbanded band bandaging their 'differences' and announcing a comeback.

You can't help but question the legitimacy of it all. Sure, it would be great if it was for all the right reasons. Musical integrity, giving the fans one last treat, or even the anniversary of a classic album. But somehow, I think not. The big festivals are willing to pay bigger bucks to the biggest bands. The cheque book is all the enticement required. The Smiths said they have turned down two million to reform. What would happen if Michael Eavis offered them £2.5m?

Rage Against the Machine said they would get together again for one show only. But The Pixies said that, and realised that the effort of rehearsing and getting a show ready was so great that - hell - why not do a tour? The same will happen with Rage. And the Mary Chain. And the rest.

James on the other hand have said they will tour again, then start the process of a new album. I welcome that, or at least half of it. I was too young to ever see James live, and very much look forward to seeing them - but is the world ready for a new James album? I'm not sure it was ready their last three. Do you remember Whiplash?

The one story that really irked me was the one claiming that Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler were thinking of reforming The Jam. Without Paul Weller. Maybe they just want to be friends again. Or perhaps, after a visit to the cash machine there was a realisation that the furniture renovation industry was nowhere near as lucrative as a headline slot at Glastonbury.

It was a passion for music that drove these bands to success. It was the adoration of fans that kept them going. And at the end, it's the bank manager that dictates the comeback. At least the Sex Pistols had the decency to call their reunion tour in 1996 "The Filthy Lucre World Tour." Or even better, the Stiff little Fingers decision to get back together because they were simply "skint and wanted to make a bit of cash to get back to Ireland for Christmas."