Five Bands That Seemingly Disappeared And Need To Come Back
Words and Picks by Annette Hansen
The Pink Spiders
Status: Together but inactive.
In the mid-2000s The Pink Spiders was a hot up-and-coming band. I heard about the band as its second full length album Teenage Graffiti and the popular single “Little Razorblade” started to make some serious waves. The band had a gritty sound that was definitely a bit rough around the edges. It wasn’t the same clean sort of sound that you expect to hear in most music at this point, but that was kind of the charm: it was dirty and fun. For me the band was at an all time high when they released Sweat It Out in 2008 with a slightly cleaned up sound and unforgettable tracks like “Busy Signals” and “Gimme Chemicals.” After that album the band seemed to go quiet. Apparently just before the album was released members Bob Ferrari and Jon Decious left the band and put the project to a halt, but in 2011 both members returned to the band. While the band never officially called it quits and is still together today, it hasn’t put out any new music, but that’s not to say it won’t. Fingers crossed that this little gem from my high school day makes a long awaited true return.
The Bravery
Status: Still together but working on other projects.
Ten years later and I still remember seeing The Bravery’s video for its single “An Honest Mistake.” I remember how fascinating it was with its black and white scenery with a hint of yellow, with the complicated looking domino chain and the catchy new-wave style music that I just couldn’t get out of my head. The band released three solid full length albums in the form of The Bravery, The Sun and the Moon and Stir the Blood. After the release of their third album the band kind of halted. On the band’s official website they posted a letter from April 25, 2014 explaining where they had been, what other projects they were involved in and assured fans that they had not broken up. Hopefully this means that there is more yet to come from these synth-infused rockers.
Jet
Status: Broken up.
Jet was huge in 2004 and 2005 with their hit songs “Cold Hard Bitch” and “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” and with their incredible debut full length album Get Born. The band had a fresh sound with a vintage bite that was catchy and completely irresistible. My dad introduced me to Jet; he liked that the band had a retro-vibe while still feeling like something new. I completely understood. Get Born was one of my favorite albums in middle school. Unfortunately the band fell a bit flat on later releases and gain near the attention they had on their debut. After a while, Jet kind of fell off the face of the earth for me. In 2012 the band officially broke up, but in honesty I would mind a reunion for just one more taste of the group’s fun retro-rock.
Ludo
Status: Unknown.
Maybe it’s the St. Louis girl in me, but Ludo holds a special place in my heart. The band’s goofy brand of alternative rock is pretty much a staple amongst me and many of my friends. The group was one of my early local discoveries and I’ve loved Ludo ever since. The band hit it big in 2008 when it landed a deal with Island Records and released its major label debut You’re Awful, I Love You which featured the popular track “Love Me Dead.” In 2010 the band released their not as well received album Prepare the Preparations. Since 2012 the band hasn’t done many performances and hasn’t released any new music. The band hasn’t officially broken up or said it’s on a hiatus, although, recently it has been promoting a musical adaptation of its 2005 rock opera Broken Bride. It still seems as if there is hope for a future with Ludo still in it, but fans will have to continue to wait on pins and needles.
Over It
Status: Together but inactive.
To this day “Siren on the 101” is one of my favorite songs to dance around and sing loudly to. Back when I first heard this track in 2006 I was instantly obsessed with it, but it wasn’t until I got to college that I finally bought Step Outside Yourself and heard what all this band had to offer. With a sound that is hard to pin down, but is equally enticing Over It is probably one of the more underrated bands in the last decade. I haven’t seen much from the band since the mid-2000s, but in 2012 the band clarified that they were not broken up, so maybe there is more yet to come from this intriguing group.
