Neil Halstead Talks Slowdive Reunion

via Stereogum

What was the point at which band reunions ceased to be utter embarrassments and started to yield viable, attention-worthy results? The Pixies, maybe? Off the top of my head I can name at least half a dozen recent-ish reunions that have been genuinely excellent: Blur, Dinosaur Jr., My Bloody Valentine, Slint, Afghan Whigs, Pulp, At The Gates, Archers Of Loaf … Sure, all these dudes are probably back stage ignoring one another and humming under their breath, “We got the money …,” but when they’re on stage, at least, the products have been excellent.

There aren’t too many un-reunited bands who’d benefit more from a reunion than ’90s shoegaze gods Slowdive, whose trio of albums — ’91′s Just For A Day, ’93′s Souvlaki, and ’95′s Pygmalion — are literally flawless and absolutely essential across the board. The band were kind of considered second-tier MBV during their time on this Earth, but history has shown that the two bands were much closer to artistic equals. (Some of us might even prefer Slowdive. Just sayin’!)

Slowdive frontman Neil Halstead has brushed off the possibilities of a reunion in the past, but now? He’s into it! Halstead told MTV Hive: “There’s a chance that we’ll get back together … It’s definitely possible at some point.” He also said “No one [in Slowdive] has ever really said, ‘I never want to do it.’” (Well, maybe not in those exact words, but back in 2008, Halstead himself said, “I just can’t really see the point. It just doesn’t appeal to me. I don’t think it’s something I would want to do.”)

When asked what it would take to get the band back together, Halstead replied, “Just shitloads of money.” (Your move, Billy Corgan!) Halstead continues: “It’s crazy how in vogue it is for bands to get back together these days. It’s almost like you’re not allowed not to get back together. So, I’m sure that we will get back together — because we won’t be allowed not to.”

Cut through the subterfuge and disclaimers and misdirects, and what are you left with? Neil Halstead saying of Slowdive, “We will get back together.” There’s your takeaway. I’ll be there.