Whether you have heard or not, two of the most prolific bands of the last twenty years have reformed to fight the good fight once again. I am talking about El Paso's At the Drive-In and Sweden's Refused. They both announced their rebirth just in time for Coachella music festival in April.
Starting in chronological order, Refused, all things Swedish and all things hardcore. The band formed back in 1991, but did reach the U.S until the mid 1990's. In 1998 the band release "The Shape of Punk to Come", the definitive album of their careers. The album was a left turn from their previous material; it was a new form of punk rock that was never heard before, and maybe unable to recreated, even by themselves. This album should be issued at birth. (SORRY FRAMPTON!) If you don't own this album, buy it, and listen to is over and over and over. You can hear the influence of Refused in many bands today, even if the band doesn't fit into their genre. I hate to say it but I don't think their would be a "emo" scene without this band. Besides that, I think it is easy to say that Refused had huge influence on At the Drive-In.
On or off drugs At the Drive-In is one of the most electrifying and energetic bands anyone will see. Their style transcends genres, with a mixture of punk, rock, jazz and Latin influences. At the Drive-In parted ways in 2001 after their studio masterpiece "Relationship of Command", right before their U.S tour. The main rumored reason that the band split was drug use. If you were to ask each band member why they broke up, each one would say that it was because some other band member couldn't handle their drugs. With no cohesive reason and much speculation, ATDI fans have been frantically waiting for their return. There have be many rumors of a reunion in the past, but now if seems like it is going to happen for real. It will be interesting to see what will come of this, a tour? a new album? coke buffets and drunken banter? I hope so, man I hope so.....
