This week in reunions... Toad the Wet Sprocket

* For the second year in a row, Toad the Wet Sprocket have reunited to do some summer dates. Just like last year, don't expect a new album. I contemplated going to see them here in Atlanta this Sunday, but tickets are $35, so... probably not.

* Not sure if this qualifies as a reunion, given that all three bands have kept going for the last decade in varying combinations (most with just the lead singer remaining as an original member), but Seven Mary Three, Sponge, and Days of the New are doing a package tour this summer, mostly in casinos and small clubs. I've got some Seven Mary Three content I've been meaning to put up; I'll try to do that soon.

* Stone Temple Pilots are back at it this summer, for a couple of weeks at least; they're touring the northeastern US and Canada from July 7-18. Meanwhile, Scott Weiland's doing some West Coast solo shows this month.

* Oh, and LFO are back together, but right now it's just for one show in New York. And I don't care what you think, this song was pretty good:

Toad the Wet Sprocket reunite (sort of)

I'm a little late to this party, but Toad the Wet Sprocket got back together for a brief run last week, and they'll play a few more shows in August together.

Since disbanding in 1998, Toad has played a few very sporadic reunion shows and released a live album (which was recorded in 1992). Lead singer Glen Phillips has fallen in with the Largo crowd in Los Angeles (including producer extraordinaire Jon Brion and Aimee Mann), and released four albums, the most recent of which is the EP Secrets of the New Explorers.

Toad the Wet Sprocket shows:
August 23 - The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA
August 29 - The Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, CA
August 30 - The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, CA

I've always liked Toad; they were one of the first '90s bands to be clearly influenced by REM (the Gin Blossoms, Hootie, etc. were a few years later), and when they made their big rock move with 1994's Dulcinea, it didn't sound forced. I tried to go see them at the House of Blues in 1998, on what ended up being their last tour, but tickets sold out about a half-hour before I showed up. Sigh.
Here's "Fall Down."

Bands covering KISS: 'Nuff said.

This week's post on Everclear's covers album (featuring their contribution to the 1999 KISS-themed film Detroit Rock City) got me to thinking: KISS rules. The '90s ruled. So you know what rules extra, extra-hard? '90s bands covering KISS songs. And there are a lot of these covers. Realize that the bands coming up in the early to mid-90s were little kids when KISS were action figure / comic book / rock stars. For most '90s acts, KISS was the first band they were ever into. Enjoy the videos.
Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Detroit Rock City."


The Donnas, "Strutter."


Garth Brooks (with KISS), "Hard Luck Woman," live on the Tonight Show, summer 1994 (listen to those harmonies!)


My personal favorite, the Gin Blossoms (with KISS), "Christine Sixteen," live on David Letterman, 1994:


Toad the Wet Sprocket, "Rock and Roll All Night,":


Most of these are from 1994's "Kiss My Ass" tribute album.