Gen-X dinosaurs: The 10 most in-demand '80s-'90s reunions The Pixies were a big deal. Dinosaur Jr., on the other hand ...
Whether or not you made it to the band's concert last night in Minneapolis -- featuring the heyday Dinosaur Jr. lineup that hasn't played together in 15 years -- there was at least one reason to get excited about the gig. It's another sign that broken-up bands from the 1980s and '90s no longer think they're too cool to reunite.
The success of last year's Pixies reunion proved there's a growing market for '80s-'90s nostalgia, even among hip rock fans. With that in mind, here's a list of the 10 groups from that era who would probably have the best reunion outings.
1. Soundgarden Why the demand: They quit at their peak, continue to get regular airplay on rock radio and are still active in other bands (Audioslave, Pearl Jam).
Rules of re-engagement: Chris Cornell has to show at least some signs of aging.
Probability: 85 percent.
2. The Smiths Why: The brooding Brits still have ultra-rabid fans, most of whom never got to see them before their breakup in 1987.
Rules: The two guys who aren't Morrissey or Johnny Marr have to be the original bandmates, even if we don't know the difference.
Probability: 55 percent.
3. Smashing Pumpkins Why: To make Billy Corgan happy for a change. (This summer, Corgan took out ads in the Chicago papers on the eve of his first solo CD asking his ex-bandmates to get back together.)
Rules: Play more of the hippie rock, less of the goth metal.
Probability: 98 percent.
4. Rage Against the Machine Why: Easy. Their live shows were better than any other '90s rock band's except maybe Pearl Jam's (and, yes, I saw Nirvana).
Rules: Zach de la Rocha first has to tell us what he has been up to for the past five years.
Probability: 33 percent.
5. N.W.A. Why: Produced two of hip-hop's biggest stars, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, and one landmark album, "Straight Outta Compton." Eazy-E's 1995 death was tragic, but his contributions wouldn't be all that missed.
Rules: No cross-promotion for Cube's next movie.
Probability: 15 percent.
6. (Original) Guns N' Roses Why: Most fans are fed up with Axl Rose (hence this No. 6 ranking), but many would show up just to see any prospective onstage brawls.
Rules: Discounts for fans who suffered one of the many GNR cancellations, and even deeper cuts for the few who actually did see the 2002 tour with the revamped lineup.
Probability: 10 percent.
7. Uncle Tupelo Why: They broke up before the alt-country boom, and then co-leaders Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy went on to greater fame in Son Volt and Wilco, respectively. Neither plays the old songs much anymore.
Rules: Farrar at least has to act as if he's having fun.
Probability: 30 percent.
8. Hole Why: Like cars need steering wheels, Courtney Love needs her ex-bandmates to reel her in. More importantly, radio programmers and label heads sorely need to be reminded that women can rock.
Rules: Love's mike must be turned off between songs.
Probability: 60 percent.
9. Pavement Why: Much like the Pixies, they helped define alt-rock with the influential albums "Slanted & Enchanted" and "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain." Also like the Pixies, nobody likes the frontman's solo stuff.
Rules: No longer believe you're so clever you don't have to rehearse.
Probability: 80 percent.
10. The Replacements Why: Whatever playful jabs Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson take at each other in the press, their affection for the ol' band still shows. Many fans forget that the latter-day lineup with Slim Dunlap was pretty great (and certainly more consistent) on stage.
Rules: Drummer Chris Mars has to be talked back in. Limit of seven sloppy cover songs per night.
Probability: 55 percent.
