Music Features

Give Up the Ghost roar back for a timely reunion

By BARRY THOMPSON | December 20, 2011

The litigious ordeals of AN/GUTG didn't end with the name change, or the band itself. Allegedly, Pete Wentz was such a huge fan that he decided to plagiarize some of their lyrics; Eisold and Fall Out Boy settled out of court in 2007. "Honestly, I haven't even discussed that situation with Wes, and I don't care to," states Cossar. "That band is lame. Plain and simple."

Stylistically, Eisold's transition from AN/GUTG to Cold Cave is inexplicable — until an examination of his old lyrics reveals that, unlike standard hardcore singers, he wasn't screaming politics or aggression toward unspecific targets. He was talking about his "feelings" and shit. But that's okay. The band showed us that we don't have to weep about our "feelings"; it's also possible to scream about them until our throats bleed — and then maybe smash some things.

"In our teens, Wes and I agreed that reunions are lame," writes Cossar in an e-mail after our phone interview. "We promised each other that we would never do one. Here we are in our 30s, and hardcore 'kids' have grown into young adults who still hold onto their punk ethics and care about our band. That speaks volumes to what we created, and how do you ignore that?"

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ARTICLES BY BARRY THOMPSON

GIVE UP THE GHOST ROAR BACK FOR A TIMELY REUNION | December 20, 2011
It's tough to maintain unswerving matter-of-factness without boring anybody. But hardcore, at its best, manages exactly that.

JAPAN'S DIR EN GREY FIND HOPE IN A DARK PLACE | December 06, 2011
Back in March, the Japanese band Dir En Grey had recorded about half of what became Dum Spiro Spero, their eighth album. Then the world ended, or at least came pretty close.

JEREMY DUBS | SPEAK! | November 16, 2011
Normally, Jeremy Dubs co-heads Bunnies, whose aural designs emanate from an alternate future of classic rock, evoking ecstatic awe and/or divine terror — a seriously crazy band.

DAVID LYNCH | CRAZY CLOWN TIME | November 02, 2011
Psychically separating Crazy Clown Time from David Lynch's peerless filmmaking legacy is sort of like guzzling Lynch's signature brand of coffee until overstimulation compels you to write Twin Peaks fan-fic erotica staring Agent Cooper and the Log Lady, and all the while telling yourself these actions do not co-relate.

ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD'S SINCERE SARCASM | October 26, 2011
Punks, frequently eager to shove a stick of self-important vainglory up their own asses, have been some of the worst offenders. But, as is usually the case with sweeping generalizations, the exceptions to this one make it look ridiculous.

See all articles by: BARRY THOMPSON

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