Blind Melon Reunion

It's been exactly 11 years since the death of singer Shannon Hoon effectively put an end to Blind Melon. But now, the group's surviving members -- guitarists Christopher Thorn and Rogers Stevens, bassist Brad Smith and drummer Glen Graham -- are back together again under the Blind Melon banner, with a new singer, 25-year-old Amarillo, Texas, native Travis Warren.

Warren met Smith and Thorn through a mutual friend and was initially interested in having the pair help produce his own music. Then, a joke email from Smith to Stevens got the ball rolling towards getting back together last summer. "Brad wrote a fake press release and sent it to me -- it was saying how we were back together and how Travis had brought us together," Stevens says. "It was the first I'd heard of it. I called Brad and I was like, 'What do you mean? You got the band back together without me?'"

Soon after, Warren and the four Melons congregated in the studio. "We decided to get into a room and play -- we thought it would be fun," Stevens says. "I was really skeptical in the beginning about doing anything, and none of us are into doing any kind of 'nostalgia trip.' We started playing, and I knew within the first half of a song that [Warren] was nailing it. It was something about the way he did it that it immediately disarmed my skepticism."

The group then took a break to collaborate on songs via e-mail, and recently got back together for another round of jamming, which confirmed that Blind Melon was back in business. "We started writing and recording, and we've got three new songs that we're excited about," says Stevens, revealing their titles as "Make a Difference," "Harmful Belly" and "For My Friends."

"His voice is in that sort of higher register that Shannon's voice was in, but he doesn't sound like him," Stevens promises. "There are certain similarities, just because he's in that range, but on the stuff that we're doing, his phrasing and whatnot is different than Shannon's. On the old songs, he can sing them really well. They are different, but he definitely was influenced by Shannon."

The group plans to have a new record finished early next year and hit the road afterward. Currently, a label is not in place. "I don't know what's going to happen -- we don't have anything right now," Stevens says. "We haven't talked to anybody about it. People are calling, but we don't know what's going to happen. These days, it's wide open."

Read more at Billboard.com.

Comments

[dcoyle4040]

AWSOME!!! CAnt wait.. Not Shannon I know, but Unified Theory kicked ass so this should too! This should be good!

[dougarini]

Fuck that, shannon hoon is the mother ****in man... i hate when bands replace the lead singer. I understand the fact that they want to keep making music, but don't call yourself blind melon, because your not. I hate to have this opinion, but the singer is the most irreplaceable person in a band, just because the voice is such a specfic sound. I think the band should make new music, but under a new name. Then this article would be awesome, but right now its a shame

[arzakem]

This is awesome! I hope he (the singer) sounds like Shannon... I mean, it was his kickass voice along with the dangling guitar-playing of the double lead guitars that caught my attention to loving every song from the guys.

[Captain Gregio]

I agree with dougarini. When I first heard the news Blind Melon was reforming, with me being a huge melonhead, it didn't thrill me. Shannon made Blind Melon what it was. I can't imagine a Blind Melon without Shannon.
It would have been way better if Roger,Glen,Brad, and Chris did sorta like the remaining members of the Doors did, called themseleves a different name "Riders of the Storm," and play some of thier tunes along with new ones.

[MattyPretends]

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain

[DownDark]

Shannon made Blind Melon. Shannon WAS Blind Melon, with good musicians to back him up. I don't know how they're ever gonna remake the success they had with Shannon, IMO.

[Yoinc]

This...is...awesome...^-^

[raidernixon]

This is great to hear...I hope this guy is as dedicated and loving of melon as shannon was.

[Jaguar17]

What next?! A Nirvana reunion?!

[FunkedUp]

Captain Gregio wrote:

I agree with dougarini. When I first heard the news Blind Melon was reforming, with me being a huge melonhead, it didn't thrill me. Shannon made Blind Melon what it was. I can't imagine a Blind Melon without Shannon.
It would have been way better if Roger,Glen,Brad, and Chris did sorta like the remaining members of the Doors did, called themseleves a different name "Riders of the Storm," and play some of thier tunes along with new ones.

The Doors called themselves 'The Doors of the 21st Century' when they toured without Jim Morrison.

[blind_melon1995]

THIS NEW SINGER IS AWESOME. if anyone knows where you can buy cds of his former band, rain fur rent, or chords/ lyrics/ tabs, please let me know. this is not like the alice in chains reunion-this singer is actually great. kinda like shannon and a slight geddy lee voice he has. good luck to them.

and by the way, they had to stop calling themselves doors of the 21st century after a while, so captain gregio is right. they could be called the holymen or something

[BlindMelon45]

**** yes Blind Melon is one of the greatest bands of all time and shannan hoon can sing like a mother****er...cant wait till the new albulm and for them to start touring RIP Shannan Hoon

[dtony_bigs]

Quick! I have to find my frisbee.

[glpledzep145]

shannon is not be replaced. everyone knows that he was great and was a huge partof the band, but anyone who says he "was Blind Melon" is not a true fan. Glen, Brad Chris and Roger were amazing as well, and without them, Blind Melon never would have been. A singer doesnt ever make a band. Queen reformed with Paul Rodgers, and he did all of the songs justice. Everyone knew he was no Freddy Mercury, but it still sounded great and it worked. I cant wait for this, it will be great.

[BlindMelon45]

dougarini wrote:

Fuck that, shannon hoon is the mother ****in man... i hate when bands replace the lead singer. I understand the fact that they want to keep making music, but don't call yourself blind melon, because your not. I hate to have this opinion, but the singer is the most irreplaceable person in a band, just because the voice is such a specfic sound. I think the band should make new music, but under a new name. Then this article would be awesome, but right now its a shame

I Know Shannon was the man but u say Blind Melon was Shannom not really he had some of the best musicians behind him making the unique music that he sang to and u said "the fact that they want to keep making music, but don't call yourself blind melon, because your not" but yea they are because Stevens, Smith and Graham were some kick ass musicans who write some of the best music of all time. I Know shannon isnt here anymore but thats not gonna stop me from goin to see the surviving band members in concert unliek u, SO u call yourself a MelonHead but sad to say your ****en not u wannabe piece of shit u dont know a godamn thing about Melon so **** off.

[dcoyle4040]

dougarini :
Fuck that, shannon hoon is the mother ****in man... i hate when bands replace the lead singer. I understand the fact that they want to keep making music, but don't call yourself blind melon, because your not. I hate to have this opinion, but the singer is the most irreplaceable person in a band, just because the voice is such a specfic sound. I think the band should make new music, but under a new name. Then this article would be awesome, but right now its a shame

yea cuz pink floyd sucked after Sid Barrett????? I like Shannon too but he did not write all there music!

[Dr. No]

I love their song No Rain

[Martinow]

Jaguar17 wrote:

What next?! A Nirvana reunion?!

I dont think so... Since Kurt is more famous then Nirvana...


But on topic: I think its good, but lets hear is first before we all start: Fcking insane, or fck off fakers.

Cant wait =]

there have been bands that have gotten a new singer and been just as popular as before; see AC/DC. you really have to wait and see about the singer to decide if they can do the songs justice. if not, then they should change the name, but if they can do it justice then by all means keep the name.

[BlueZephyr]

The only song I know by them is No Rain and that is a good song. I can't wait to hear their tracks especially with a guy singer replacing a girl singer.

[MachineHeart]

ahh no original singer. i dont kno about that.

[anybodyhome]

Jaguar17 wrote:

What next?! A Nirvana reunion?!

lol

[sassamafras]

that'd be pretty cool haha

[JuiceBox]

BlueZephyr wrote:

The only song I know by them is No Rain and that is a good song. I can't wait to hear their tracks especially with a guy singer replacing a girl singer.

shannon hoon is a guy you dumbass

[slash_is_gr8st]

they ****in rule

[Quikslayer666]

No probably a Sublime reunion in the works.

[AcDc_1337]

too bad sublime is effing LAME. Blind melon kick ass in so many ways its not even funny. one of my favorite bands.

[Elmo Jade Blue]

SWEET

[arzakem]

The problem with "replacement" singers I think is on the challenge whether to sing and sound like the original ---or make his own new style. And again, some fans wouldn't like it. C'mon let's face it, Shannon is dead but of course the band it ain't.

BTW, my favorite song from them is "Tones of Home"

[drummerdude92]

dtony_bigs :
Quick! I have to find my frisbee.

awesome

checked

[JET116]

Sounds to me like they need money....

weren't one of their songs voted in the top 50 worst songs of all time?

[dcoyle4040]

Does anyone know why they didnt just use Chris Shinn from Unified theory? He sounds alot like Shannon and has already played with Christopher Thorn Brad Smith. Maybe they wanted a diffent sound. But Chris Shinn would have made them sound like the old Blind Melon. Just listen to "california" by Unifed Theory.

[thirdeyepried]

What's that fat bumblebee girl up to. I've been waiting for this like prostate cancer

[rezner]

Speaking of Chris Shinn, He are some sites to check out some of his music after UT. New bands called The Sound I Saw, Theres also songs by Chris under his alias August Annd.

http://www.myspace.com/thesoundisaw
http://profile.myspace.com/chrisshinnsmusic


enjoy

[dougarini]

FunkedUp wrote:

The Doors called themselves 'The Doors of the 21st Century' when they toured without Jim Morrison.

D21C had to change their name to the riders on the storm after john densmore sued manzerick and krieger

BlindMelon45 wrote:

I Know Shannon was the man but u say Blind Melon was Shannom not really he had some of the best musicians behind him making the unique music that he sang to and u said "the fact that they want to keep making music, but don't call yourself blind melon, because your not" but yea they are because Stevens, Smith and Graham were some kick ass musicans who write some of the best music of all time. I Know shannon isnt here anymore but thats not gonna stop me from goin to see the surviving band members in concert unliek u, SO u call yourself a MelonHead but sad to say your ****en not u wannabe piece of shit u dont know a godamn thing about Melon so **** off.

Whoa whoa whoa i didnt go and say that blind melon was shannon. i mean i know what good musicians they are... but they shouldnt call themselves blind melon. im saying the singer of any band is hard to replace, not just blind melon, because the singer usually has the most distinct sound (usually not always so dont bite my ass of for saying that too) and im not saying i wouldnt go see them, i definitely would, but its not shannon and i dont think that they should tour under that name

and im not a ****ing fake fan you stupid piece of shit

[LaLaLaLoopy]

Could talk of this all day, sometimes it works,sometimes it doesnt.A Sabbath without OzzY?...sure,because of Iommi who did most of the writing...AC DC without Bon Scott?...of course cuz theres Angus and Malcom who did most of the writing,It seems the bands that have successfully replaced their singer for another usually had that other member that stood out as well....VanHalen?.....there was Eddie, again he and Alex do most of the writing. I dont think Blind Melon has that other member.Shannon was lead singer but he also did most of the writing. On the other side of the coin there is Motley Crue who replaced Vince, though there was still Nikki who did most of the writing and side show Tommy, that album pretty much bombed, so who knows how this will turn out.I know Im definately interested and if they want to go by Blind Melon, why not,the name still holds water and Im sure they know they will be compared to the Hoon days so all thats left is to see if they can deliver.

[MrDominoe]

Okay, I love Blind Melon, they're one of the best bands I've ever heard, but I can't get over the fact that they're keeping the name without Shannon. I'm really happy too see the musicians come together again, they were great and gained so much from the energy of each other. I really don't know how to feel. On one hand, this is going to be very different from the other stuff and the stuff Shannon did was unique and cannot be recreated, however I've seen bands lose their singer and come out just as strong (one example is AC/DC). I hope the music's good, if it is, the name doesn't matter.

[Sultan28]

All you dudes sayin' the band won't be Blind Melon without Shannon - well, Shannon wouldn't have been Blind Melon without the band. Seriously, Travis Warren (the new singer) can WAIL. And he sounds enough like Shannon, yet enough different, that the new BM should, and will, rock. If yer a doubter, just find some 00-Metro or Rain Fur Rent, listen, and be converted...

[blind_melon1995]

LICK MY BUNGHOLE

[RHCPfan01]

Quikslayer666 wrote:

No probably a Sublime reunion in the works.

there was long beachdub allstars after sublime which was same guys under new name and the woors were doors of 21st century then were sued by john densmore and were forced to change names to riders on the storm
anyways the new tracks found here http://www.blindmelonmach2.com/mp3s/wimpy.php
are nothing like old blind melon in terms of amazingness but i still think they arent bad

[Moldedwurm]

Shannon is just 1/5th of Blind Melon and since he's gone the 4/5ths of Blind Melon has the right to continue. Give the new guy a chance. What made Shannon's poems more alive is it's background music which was done by the remaining members of the band. I've heard the new songs and it's quite fine though it can't top the songs they did back when Shannon was still alive.

--When life is hard, you have to Change...

[Moldedwurm]

My mind is a mind that I have come to know
And my eyes can't conceive a world that can not grow...

[rob_acoustic]

He does sound a little like Shannon. They did that on purpose. He's a decent singer, but it is weird to hear someone different. I will support the album. I love Blind Melon, Shannon wasn't the main songwriter, they all did it together, he was just the voice.

[FirdousEBareen]

It's Amazing how the band you've all known and loved for the passed 14 years wants to reunite and most of you have nothing good to say about it. Shannon killed himself with the overdose, so I don't see why the rest of the group should feel obliged to never reunite. Realistically, they never had to call it quits after Shannon died, so I don't see why they shouldn't reunite now.

Obviously they will have a new sound, and whether you like it or not is your decision, but you should atleast come into this with a positive attitude. I'm sure some of you when you posted hadn't even heard the new stuff, but it's great, and Travis does do Shannon justice. If they had come back with the same sound it would have been boring and nothing new, so I'm glad they the new Blind Melon will sound unique and slightly different than the old stuff.

[Melonhead2]

Blind Melon's not Blind Melon without Shannon. I'm still pickin up that cd though

[BlindMelon45]

check out Chris Shins band. Everything is Energy. On myspace. its some good shit