Reunion Shows

The Civil Wars, Great Blue, At The Drive-In, and Creed

May 24, 2024

People, you've got the power over what we do
You can sit there and wait or you can pull us through
Come along, sing the song
You know that you can't go wrong

—Jackson Browne, The Load Out

Can you think of a reunion tour you’d like to “come along” and “sing the song” at? This week Mat, Adam, and Kody select a song from a band who, if reunited, they’d like to see live and our Bonus Track focuses on the most anticipated reunion tour of 2024.

Poison & Wine by The Civil Wars (Mat)

I get sad every time I think about the fact The Civil Wars broke up. I’d love to see how their music would have evolved to this point. But at the same time, there’s something special about their very tight corpus of music—especially the record “Barton Hollow.” This song, in my opinion, perfectly encapsulates what made The Civil Wars great. Enjoy!

Doc Brown by Great Blue (Adam)

If you’ve listened to Goose (or seen them live), the true highlight at times is Pete Anspach. Pete is a real out front kind of guy, he does the majority of talking to the crowd and he is an absolute delight. Before Goose, Pete was in a band called Great Blue. Every now and again the boys reunite and play a show. One of the tunes that is on their regular rotation is “Doc Brown,” a quirky tune referencing the mad scientist from Back the Future. The hook gets stuck in my head more than that diss beat from Metro Booming (iykyk). The version I have selected is from their 2023 live album. Enjoy!

Enfilade by At the Drive-In (Kody)

At the Drive-In created a cult following in the late nineties / early 2000s by “combining emotional melodies and upbeat rhythms moving at an unpredictable rate.” (Source: Spotify) They broke up too soon. I never made it to one of their shows - I bet they were intense. Speaking of intense, their song Enfilade will take you on a roller coaster ride of sounds, including a spooooky intro featuring Iggy Pop, trippy electronics, and Samba-like interruptions to set up its memorable chorus. You read that right. What I would give to sing it live during a reunion tour: FREIGHT FREIGHT TRAIN COMING FREIGHT FREIGHT TRAIN COMING.

Bonus Track - The Transformative Power of Creed: A Personal Journey by Spencer Jackson

Music possesses an inexplicable power to intertwine itself with the tapestry of our lives, molding our experiences and emotions in profound ways. For me, no band embodies this sentiment more than Creed. From the initial moment I heard their anthemic melodies to the countless instances their lyrics served as a soundtrack to my triumphs and tribulations, Creed has been an unwavering companion on my life's journey.

I vividly recall my first encounter with Creed's music. It was probably a sweltering Texas summer evening, and I stumbled upon their song, "My Own Prison," by chance while cruising down Coit Road in my 1994 Ford Bronco, its two 12” subwoofers booming in the back. Subsequently, upon learning about this “pseudo-Christian” band, I persuaded my conservative parents to purchase their debut album for me at Virgin Megastore in Grapevine Mills Mall, after they had first listened to the entire album, of course. From the hauntingly introspective title track to the soaring crescendos of "Torn" and "What's This Life For," each song resonated with me on a deeply personal level. In Scott Stapp's raw vocals and Mark Tremonti's searing guitar riffs, I found solace and belonging. I had found MY BAND. Incidentally, Tremonti still boasts the best goatee in Rock and Roll.

As I navigated the highs and lows of adolescence, basically being an idiot High School kid, Creed's music became a sanctuary—a source of comfort during moments of uncertainty and a catalyst for introspection. Whether grappling with the complexities of love and relationships or striving to overcome my own insecurities, songs like "Higher" and "With Arms Wide Open" served as beacons of hope, reminding me to confront life's challenges with courage and resilience. To this day, I still belt out "Higher" in my truck every time it graces the radio waves.

Amidst life's chaos and cacophony, Creed's lyrics spoke to the depths of my soul, urging me to confront my fears and embrace my truest self. Through anthems like "One Last Breath" and "My Sacrifice," Creed instilled in me a sense of purpose and perseverance, encouraging me to endure adversity and strive for greatness.

Attending their concert at Smirnoff Amphitheater, now known as Dos Equis Pavilion, remains the seminal musical experience of my high school years. I still vividly remember the opening acts: 12 Stones followed by Sevendust. To this day, I'm still miffed that Sevendust didn’t perform "B*tch."

Even as years have passed and my musical tastes have evolved, Creed remains an indelible part of my identity—a testament to music's enduring power to touch hearts and transform lives. Their music continues to resonate with me on a profound level, serving as a timeless reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the beauty of the human experience. Witnessing the excitement surrounding their reunion tour 25 years later fills me with joy. As the designated Creed aficionado in my friend group, the flood of texts asking about my excitement for the reunion tour reaffirms that one never outgrows the music they love.

In essence, Creed is more than just a band to me; they embody my adolescence. With the upcoming November 13th reunion concert at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, I eagerly anticipate reliving those cherished memories. Hopefully, this time, my mom will allow me to purchase a t-shirt.

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Spencer Jackson is an Environmental Specialist for an Energy company in Dallas, TX and lives with his wife and two year old Son. When he’s not listening to his late father-in-law’s extensive vinyl record collection, Spencer enjoys hunting, hiking, mowing his lawn and generally doing as much outside with his family as possible. Musically, Spencer has quit every instrument he ever tried to play but has been told his singing voice was one of the major contributing factors, along with Creed, in helping the Texas Rangers win their first Wolrd Series.

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Is there a reunion show you would like to see? Please share it in the comments section or reply to our Friday email. We love to hear from you and we always engage.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

-TheMusicSwap