CPR For The Sonic Corpses

Led Zeppelin. Bauhaus. TSOL. Sex Pistols. Skinny Puppy. Black Sabbath. Any number of different bands from various genres who've gotten back together for a one off show, a tour or a new album years after disbanding. Is this right? I say No.

I'm a huge fan of all those bands and I figure it's my tough luck that I didn't get to see them back when. There is something very un-rock and roll about getting the aged crew back together, years beyond their heyday and trying to bring their music to an equally aged audience who can now say, "I saw them live." But not really.

You didn't see them before they had a record deal and were sleeping in dumpsters. You didn't see them after the record deal when they could afford a devastating drug habit. You weren't there when they were creating new material, unaware of a future that brought ODs, discord and terrible albums. They got back together to play the hits to pay the bills and you showed up, like them, far too late.

The fact that the state of music sucks and there's hardly ever a show worth $10 is too damn bad. Yet I'd feel far worse shelling out $50 to go see a post-rehab, safe bunch of talented musicians belt out the songs I love.

Let's take a look back. If you were one of the lucky ones, you may have seen a Doors concert end in Jim Morrison's arrest or witnessed a 25 minute version of "The End." Maybe you would have gone to a small club in '73 to see Iggy and The Stooges only to come out with blood on your shirt because Iggy felt it best to take a broken bottle to his chest.