IF they reunite, some thoughts from a long-time fan Options

[But Not Broken]

Hi fellow fans,

I’ve been a long-time forum lurker and an even longer Live fan.
However speculative, talk of a reunion has got me very excited.

Following are some thoughts, in no order. Posting here because I’m curious how others might feel.

IF they reunite:

1) I hope it’s authentic and not because both sides are out of options and/or need to promote an anniversary release. I want Live to reunite because they want to be Live again, even if just for a little while.

2) I hope each member feels good about the reunion. I’m just a fan so it would be silly for me to say something like “Member A needs to apologize to Member B for X,” because I know nothing first hand. I just hope that those who feel they are owed apologies are given one, and those who carry even the slightest guilt or remorse can find the courage to come clean to their brothers. The past can’t be undone, but love can be recognized, and camaraderie reignited.

3) Maybe invite Shinn to duo on one song on one tour date. Yeah yeah probably not practical, but could be a nice gesture.

Until anything official, this is all nothing more than a rumor. But it’s a rumor I so badly want to believe, because, despite everything and however faint, I believe the possibility is still alive: My favorite band of all time can take the stage and perform again like my favorite band of all time. Even if just for a little while.

[alexou]

All signs are pointing to this, again I'm not all ok with this, but if it's honest and not for the money I'm not all against it.

1) I want new music and not only a nostalgia act. Good new songs is the only possibility I can support and buy a ticket for a show. Get to the studio, all at the same time, and rehearse, surprise the fans, get loud and anthemic again. The Gracious and The Turn showed that CCP have some good riffs in them. Ed has to listen.

2) various setlists...we got some (not all the time) surprises with Shinn in their setlist. A good show is 22-25 songs a night. You want to try and be relevant again? You're called Live, so prove it!

3) Like I wrote on the FB page, hope that Shinn was treated well in the process (if they reunite). He made a good run (not a perfect one, but still). He helped CCP to produce a good record and to bring back raw energy at their shows.

With this I MIGHT be in...but you can't treat the old songs as you did for more than 15 years and come back like that for free.

[SuperHans]

If I hear one song about god, or daughters, or a falsetto, or a la da da da. Im out.

They had better tear shit up or they should call it a day.

Hans.

[Voodoo Lady]

Live's break up has given them the much needed time to explore other musical ventures and time to revaluate themselves. It's time to quit dilly-dallying around and get it back together! (What is taking them so damn long?!--Why is it so quiet right now?!) But just like all other groups who have broken up or gone on hiatus, because they have a deep passion for their music they get the itch to reunite. Fans never want it to be a money grab, but be realistic about that part-- no one makes a professional decision without taking money into account. We all, rich and famous or not, have wants and needs. The needing money part doesn't bother me, because I realize that more than anything, the bands' desire and love of being musically productive again is what is most important. Anyway, here is what Live should do...

I enjoy the nostalgia part of bands reuniting. I don't find it corny at all and it's actually what works right now. We middle aged fans will fill up concert halls to see favorite bands of our glory days. I've said here before that it would be a genius thing if Live were to do a "90's band" tour. To me, it would be way smarter to do that first. --If they would have only showed up reunited at some festival like Download or Pinkpop (?) -- After a festival's exposure to fans and media, they could go on to the 90's nostalgia tour. I also think it would work for them to just announce a reunion through social media and do a nostalgia tour.

For a nostalgia tour, what totally works and what is more feasible, is to have 1-3 new songs. It works because of the digital age we are in. Fans are more likely to download singles now than they are to download or purchase a complete album. As we all know, making an album takes an insane amount of time and Live just needs to hurry up and reunite. After they reunite and tour, then I think it would be perfect to do a new album with the type of Live music that we all desire, not Ed's CCM. And yea, I totally believe he has that still in him. Artists often go solo and make a totally different type of music but then return to their roots.

[clemons]

interesting chatter going on here.

Hmm, not sure how this thing would go off if it really does.

what is the actual number of people that would actually feel this would be just like every act out there doing shows because it pays to be a 70s 80's 90s act? It's popular and hip I guess.

New tunes, that would be kinda of well...interesting.

Last time Ed half-heartedly collaborated with CCP, we got that churchy lyrical attempt called 'Believe'. The TGF offering of that arrangement was miles superior in quality and full of rock your face off......BALLS!!

I'd be on the fence to see what kind of chops Ed can put against CCP these days. My bet it never sees the light of day if they write a new song and it just doesn't pass muster. But, i guess it's debatable on many levels.

Will the entire fan base be open to this reuniting??? I am on the fence and i am sure many are not except those in favor of Ed coming back and newer fans who never got the chance to experience the full monty of LIVE from 91-2000. I know that old era is def not able to be reproduced. I just can't see Ed going all angst and lower register ever again.

[Unsheathed]

interesting chatter going on here.

Hmm, not sure how this thing would go off if it really does.

what is the actual number of people that would actually feel this would be just like every act out there doing shows because it pays to be a 70s 80's 90s act? It's popular and hip I guess.

New tunes, that would be kinda of well...interesting.

Last time Ed half-heartedly collaborated with CCP, we got that churchy lyrical attempt called 'Believe'. The TGF offering of that arrangement was miles superior in quality and full of rock your face off......BALLS!!

I'd be on the fence to see what kind of chops Ed can put against CCP these days. My bet it never sees the light of day if they write a new song and it just doesn't pass muster. But, i guess it's debatable on many levels.

Will the entire fan base be open to this reuniting??? I am on the fence and i am sure many are not except those in favor of Ed coming back and newer fans who never got the chance to experience the full monty of LIVE from 91-2000. I know that old era is def not able to be reproduced. I just can't see Ed going all angst and lower register ever again.

What was "Believe"?

[dangum]

What was "Believe"?

"Believe" was one of the last tracks Live wrote before they went on hiatus.

It was performed a few times in concert and there are a few YouTube videos available.

Details are in this thread: Believe

[Toph]

In my opinion, "Believe" is simply the proof that even with CCP involved in the music and riffs, Ed is no more able to write good lyrics and melody that fit. The comparison with Honest man says it all. I cannot imagine that they reunite except for money (and I will not support them in this now that I have seen them in TGF or TT which were 2 albums much better than anything else since 2000). It would be positive to know that they finally were able to bury the hatchet and find some friendship again but I do not need anything else. Even a nostalgia tour would be irrelevant since the concert performances of Live 2.0 with Chris (including the old songs) were much more convincing than latest Live 1.0 performances. I keep my fingers crossed for TT 2 rather than SFBM 2!

This post has been edited by Toph: Jul 1 2016, 6:19 am

[mattyeagles]

In my opinion, "Believe" is simply the proof that even with CCP involved in the music and riffs, Ed is no more able to write good lyrics and melody that fit. The comparison with Honest man says it all. I cannot imagine that they reunite except for money (and I will not support them in this now that I have seen them in TGF or TT which were 2 albums much better than anything else since 2000). It would be positive to know that they finally were able to bury the hatchet and find some friendship again but I do not need anything else. Even a nostalgia tour would be irrelevant since the concert performances of Live 2.0 with Chris (including the old songs) were much more convincing than latest Live 1.0 performances. I keep my fingers crossed for TT 2 rather than SFBM 2!

Believe was not impressive, and Honest man was substantially better..that being said, Ed's last solo album showed some potential to write better songs and melodies...it was light years ahead of SFBM and his first solo album

[Toph]

Believe was not impressive, and Honest man was substantially better..that being said, Ed's last solo album showed some potential to write better songs and melodies...it was light years ahead of SFBM and his first solo album

Ok, I must admit I did not listen to Ed's last solo album. I was too disappointed having paid for his "Alive" CD...

Anyway, I would feel it much more coherent for both parties to continue on different roads knowing how much they became musically different over the years. But even if creating some different kind of music, Ed and CCP could still find some peace again as both groups of fans could.

[Voodoo Lady]

LIVE will never sound or look like they did back in the day. No, Ed will never be "that Ed" again, as all artists have a peak of creativity and his was 1997. Look, I'm going to see The Cult in concert soon...I'm not expecting to walk in there and see the same Billy Duffy and Ian Astbury from the 80's and of course, their new album doesn't hold a candle to the "Love" album. Nothing ever will. I'm perfectly fine with that. I'm going to go to watch some Rock GODS and have a few beers and be thankful for seeing them. With that said, fellow LIVE fans, you have got to stop being so up in arms about Ed's voice, if he can ever again write as good of a lyric as he did for your favorite one, etc. etc. The answer is plain and simple--NO, he won't. Does that mean that we can't have a good song or two, say, a 7 on a "Ed scale" of 10? WE CAN. Does reuniting mean that we can't have another decent (key word, decent album? We CAN. If they bury the hatchet and Ed sits and collaborates with CCP and they get out on the road and support it, I'll be the happiest Live fan on the planet. I don't care if they aren't the best of friends as they were in the early 90's and opt to have separate tour buses or plane flights! Just forgive, forget, move on, and when they hit that stage, I am ready to rock if they are. Even though I purchased Ed's first solo album and didn't like it... even though I watched that "Seven" video on You Tube and my face turned red with embarrassment for him... He's still has cool points in my book. That was his solo-self. He did his thing. He can keep it "his thing" and truly work with CC and P again on something that rocks. My belief in this will not falter. I say this in the most respectful way, y'all need to relax and don't over analyze too much. "Light up a cigarette and calm the fuck down."

[SJN1279]

I just want to see some tour dates.......

[SinfulEyes]

I just want to see some tour dates.......

There will be none.

[SJN1279]

There will be none.

I disagree. Guess we shall see.

[SinfulEyes]

I disagree. Guess we shall see.

It hasn't happened yet and it never will.