If Sunday’s performance was an indication the group’s on-stage chemistry after 20 years, the Police probably should have stayed broken up.

The underwhelming reunion of Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland highlighted a confusing night at the Grammys. Sure, it was odd to see the Dixie Chicks win again and again (they put out an album last year?) and watch Ludacris’ ‘Release Therapy’ win Rap Album of the Year over Lupe Fiasco and the Roots, but the Police’s opening performance was a definite disappointment.

The crowd was uninterested, Sting’s voice was off and an extended semi-reggae bridge completely derailed the group’s rendition of ‘Roxanne.’ With a national tour pending, it’d probably be a good idea for the band to tighten up its live show.

Maybe band reunions have jumped the shark. Everyone’s doing it now.

The critical and financial success of Indie rock giants the Pixies and Dinosaur Jr.’s respective comeback tours spurred a glut of reunion shows, as old enemies rejoined forces for monetary gain.

Van Halen, with original lead singer David Lee Roth at the helm, plans to launch a massive tour this summer. Apparently the public appeal for a Gary Cherone-led reunion was non-existent.

Rage Against the Machine will be headlining this year’s Coachella Festival in Indio, Calif. The group, which disbanded in 2000 due to creative differences between lead singer and raconteur, Zach de la Rocha, and the rest of the group, said in British music magazine NME their performance is partly in protest to the work of President George W. Bush. Excellent timing, guys. Not like there was an election in 2004 or anything.

Singer/guitarist/control freak Billy Corgan has been working since 2005 to reunite the Smashing Pumpkins, with a new album scheduled to be released this summer, according to Corgan’s MySpace page.

Still, a few groups hold out, refusing to cave in and reunite.

Fans can clamor all they want for a reunion of ’80s pop icons and emo pioneers, the Smiths, but that seems impossible. Guitarist and chief song writer, Johnny Marr, joined Modest Mouse last year and lead singer, Morrisey, appears in no mood to rejoin his ex-mates. In an interview with British magazine Uncut, he made his aversion towards them clear.

‘I would rather eat my own testicles than reform The Smiths, and that’s saying something for a vegetarian,’ the Mozzer said. Well then.

Be strong, Moz. You’re one of a dying breed.

Published on February 11, 2007 at 12:00 pm