Live's future Options

[dangum]

What is your preference for the future of Live?

[Lakini's Juice]

Ed to continue performing as Live with his new band

The 2 Chads will always bring new drama.

[malmessi]

All members stop arguing and produce some new good music, is it possible ?

[JonSnow]

I feel like there's three ways to ask this. One is which do you prefer, which one would probably be least damaging, and which is most likely. Because I think everyone would prefer they get back together (for real, as friends/family and not just as co-workers) and make a real amends for all the shit, recent and past. But I think most understand that's not likely or even reasonable to expect. The least damaging thing (to the band "legacy" or "brand") to do would be to let +Līve+ R.I.P. and move on into separate endeavors. Unfortunately, the thing likely to keep happening for the foreseeable is what's been happening for the last 15+ years.

It is what it is. Things go in cycles, but people gonna people. All you can do is wish them well.

[Merica]

Given that it feels so unlikely Live will release anything worthwhile again (no matter what combination of people are involved), I'd be inclined to say just kill it and move on. But realistically, Ed's riding this gravy train as long as possible.

[fightingwithclay]

Given that it feels so unlikely Live will release anything worthwhile again (no matter what combination of people are involved), I'd be inclined to say just kill it and move on. But realistically, Ed's riding this gravy train as long as possible.

I think the most hopeful outcome is:

- Ed settles out-of-court with the rest of the band and keeps touring (but gives the other three a part of the gross, as discussed in the 2022 MOU that Chad and Ed are in litigation about. Legacy tours and occasional material.

- Chad T. (and perhaps the other two) work on archival stuff with the back catalogue.

I feel like them forcing Ed off the road would simply result in no one touring under the moniker.

[Ecstatic Fanatic]

I am surprised there are no votes for Ed and CCP getting back together. Even if that would be a long shot, seeing the guys make amends and touring together seems like the best option.

But I think we’ll see the status quo. Ed will keep touring as Live as long as he chooses to do so. And I expect an eclectic mix from CCP, but don’t really see them having a long-term project.

But I’m sure we’ll continue to get our fair share of drama periodically

[Cardiff_Giant]

I'm sure a lot of people would love for the original 4 to get back together, and I would think it's somewhat possible for them to tour again as Live. Rock music is littered with bands that played together but their members hated each other. It could happen.

But there's no chance Ed, Chad T, Pat, and Chad G ever go into a studio together and make a record, which is what a lot of us really want.

So the question is ... when Live goes on tour, who would you prefer it be? Ed and his band or CCP and another singer?

[Badman]

Great topic to post. I voted to retire the name. Ed's current material is shallow and not what live is about, and CCP just don't seem interested in MAKING music.

[alexou]

Ed has wasted his last 5-6 years with tribute tours. I know they have been lazy since TDTH minus the The Turn creation, but I mean how can't a songwriter create songs between 45-60 years old? It's still good productive years. It's not the 3 meh album that Ed released since 2009 that will move the needle. Really sad to say the least. CCP had 2 reasonnable attempts, but still not enough for a period of 17 years.

[Bob]

Ed has wasted his last 5-6 years with tribute tours. I know they have been lazy since TDTH minus the The Turn creation, but I mean how can't a songwriter create songs between 45-60 years old? It's still good productive years. It's not the 3 meh album that Ed released since 2009 that will move the needle. Really sad to say the least. CCP had 2 reasonnable attempts, but still not enough for a period of 17 years.

I've been a drummer for almost 30 years (thank you, Throwing Copper, for showing me the way), and I've been in a handful of bands in that time that released a variety of demos and full albums, plus played many local shows and gigs. In my experience, most of the songwriters and creators have what I like to call a "creative tank" where all the inspiration and music comes from. Some people have a tank that can refill very easily, so they can crank content out, and others have a tank that refills very slowly, making new music hard to create. Slow tank filling also starts to happen as you get older, as you get a "real" job if being a professional musician doesn't pan out, as you build a family, and if you have other business ventures. Once those things happen, the creative tank is then filled with other things that drive a person in the day to day, and music is then in the rearview mirror. You really need to love making music to keep the creative tank full, even with other priorities in life. It's hard.

I think Ed has several things against him for making new music. First off, I'm assuming he's likely got more than enough money that he doesn't need to make new music. I'm sure the tours are making enough money to get by, so there's no drive there. Secondly, he's a family man, and lastly, he's almost 55 years old. The fire and drive to write anything like what he did from 1989-2009 just isn't there because he's a different person in a different spot in life.

Ed's also likely not being pushed by Zak or any of the other members of the band to make new music. They're basically hired guns at this point, so why would they? There's no incentive there. I would love to be a fly on the wall if Zak brought a song to Ed and what Ed would do.

I also believe that Ed's best work was with CCP, so even if we do get new music, it's probably going to be more like Lady Bhang, which is fine if that's what Ed wants to put out, but that's not my thing anymore.

As far as CCP, I'm assuming their legal issues are what's holding them back in some capacity, and family aside, Pat is happy with the occasional tour, CT is working on his new music (plus he's got his side business), and I guess CG is happy with his podcast.

I'm bummed CG hasn't put out a new YouTube video in almost a year. Talk about a wasted opportunity to put out content and keep in touch with his fans. He made ~30 full videos in a span of 3 years. There are easily over a hundred Live songs he could have pulled from, plus B-sides and songs that never made an album. What happened? Those videos don't take that long to record and release. He could put one out a week for years if he wanted to. Again, I think it comes down to the creative tank. He's got legal issues, he's got a family, he's got his business ventures, and his podcast. Also, since he's not the songwriter, he would need CT/PD to come up with new music to add drums to, or seek out other musicians to work with.

From what I can tell, it's just plain hard to release and support new music these days, and with all of the new acts that are out that are out there, would new music and a tour move the needle? I read recently that some current bands are having troubles with ticket sales and are canceling dates. If I remember correctly, even the Gracious Few tour didn't end well from a monetary perspective, and those were small venues as well. Sure, they could just create and release music and not tour, but is that in their best interest? Who knows.

Please note that this is 100% my opinion. I have no idea what's really going on in their lives. I wish they'd release new music, but given the above, I'm not surprised why we're not getting any.

This post has been edited by Bob: May 10 2026, 3:45 pm

[Merica]

Very fair post, Bob. Though I'd love it if we could retire "they have families" as an excuse because - *pulls mic closer* - SO DOES EVERYONE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD.

[alexou]

Great post. The only thing I struggle with it is that it is his (their) job to create new music. Since he was not very active in creation the last 15 years, it's fair to question his commitment to music else than doing his greatest hits tour. He has the most I always wanted to heat the most for new stuff, and even sometimes in his solo songs we can hear glimpses of what was great in his voice (ex: grace or parasite). Anyway, he chose his side and we can or not follow it. My son made me go see him 2 more times because he liked them a lot (he is 14 years old!) But now, I think it's over.

I've been a drummer for almost 30 years (thank you, Throwing Copper, for showing me the way), and I've been in a handful of bands in that time that released a variety of demos and full albums, plus played many local shows and gigs. In my experience, most of the songwriters and creators have what I like to call a "creative tank" where all the inspiration and music comes from. Some people have a tank that can refill very easily, so they can crank content out, and others have a tank that refills very slowly, making new music hard to create. Slow tank filling also starts to happen as you get older, as you get a "real" job if being a professional musician doesn't pan out, as you build a family, and if you have other business ventures. Once those things happen, the creative tank is then filled with other things that drive a person in the day to day, and music is then in the rearview mirror. You really need to love making music to keep the creative tank full, even with other priorities in life. It's hard.

I think Ed has several things against him for making new music. First off, I'm assuming he's likely got more than enough money that he doesn't need to make new music. I'm sure the tours are making enough money to get by, so there's no drive there. Secondly, he's a family man, and lastly, he's almost 55 years old. The fire and drive to write anything like what he did from 1989-2009 just isn't there because he's a different person in a different spot in life.

Ed's also likely not being pushed by Zak or any of the other members of the band to make new music. They're basically hired guns at this point, so why would they? There's no incentive there. I would love to be a fly on the wall if Zak brought a song to Ed and what Ed would do.

I also believe that Ed's best work was with CCP, so even if we do get new music, it's probably going to be more like Lady Bhang, which is fine if that's what Ed wants to put out, but that's not my thing anymore.

As far as CCP, I'm assuming their legal issues are what's holding them back in some capacity, and family aside, Pat is happy with the occasional tour, CT is working on his new music (plus he's got his side business), and I guess CG is happy with his podcast.

I'm bummed CG hasn't put out a new YouTube video in almost a year. Talk about a wasted opportunity to put out content and keep in touch with his fans. He made ~30 full videos in a span of 3 years. There are easily over a hundred Live songs he could have pulled from, plus B-sides and songs that never made an album. What happened? Those videos don't take that long to record and release. He could put one out a week for years if he wanted to. Again, I think it comes down to the creative tank. He's got legal issues, he's got a family, he's got his business ventures, and his podcast. Also, since he's not the songwriter, he would need CT/PD to come up with new music to add drums to, or seek out other musicians to work with.

From what I can tell, it's just plain hard to release and support new music these days, and with all of the new acts that are out that are out there, would new music and a tour move the needle? I read recently that some current bands are having troubles with ticket sales and are canceling dates. If I remember correctly, even the Gracious Few tour didn't end well from a monetary perspective, and those were small venues as well. Sure, they could just create and release music and not tour, but is that in their best interest? Who knows.

Please note that this is 100% my opinion. I have no idea what's really going on in their lives. I wish they'd release new music, but given the above, I'm not surprised why we're not getting any.

This post has been edited by alexou: May 18 2026, 11:15 am

[OutToDry]

Ed has wasted his last 5-6 years with tribute tours. I know they have been lazy since TDTH minus the The Turn creation, but I mean how can't a songwriter create songs between 45-60 years old? It's still good productive years. It's not the 3 meh album that Ed released since 2009 that will move the needle. Really sad to say the least. CCP had 2 reasonnable attempts, but still not enough for a period of 17 years.

Alex you nailed it. Ed has no creative juice at all. He had to use a fake pen name artist to bring a non live song and call it Live. (Radio)
When Ed refused to write with CT back in 2002/2003 it was over creatively. Not one thing Ed has written since then hold up to first 4 records.
The stuff done in 2016 was good and worthy of a release vs that shit 717 ep

The poll lead is most likely scenario based on current events