I remember buying the Judge "There will be Quiet..." ep on cassette when I was in 11th grade, shortly after it came out. "Forget this Time" opened the ep up with some serious bite and although I was already a fan, it drew me deeper into my love of all things Revelation Records had to offer in 1991, but this entry isn't really about that.
One thing I like about Judge's legacy is that there has been no reunion and I totally respect that. Mike Judge was "over it" and that was that. There's something to be said about bands who don't want to spoil their run and just let their records and short time together speak for itself. I think I may want my memory of Judge to stay in 11th grade, listening to that tape on the bus ride to school over and over again, not some 40something men playing at a nostalgia trip. I type this now knowing full well if a reunion ever came, I'd go.
I've flown all over this country to see reunion shows of long dead/ inactive band and I don't feel too bad about it. I had my fun and it seemed like the band's I flew out to see enjoyed themselves as well. Today I heard that Articles Of Faith were doing a reunion show and and a new record. Although I love the band, I have to ask, "why?"
Sometimes bands should reunite: maybe because there's new found interest in their back catalogue, or because band members have recently reconciled; overcoming past differences. Sometimes bands get back together to benefit a friend or family member who has died or taken ill. Some bands just get back together for the fun of it, or the big evil "money." Some bands pull it off, some bands don't, but I think the biggest mistake these bands can make is attempting to write and record new music.
Gorilla Biscuits tried this and failed, Turmoil came back to obscurity, nobody liked Lifetime's new record. Let me think of more... The Misfits, Turbonegro, Antidote, Adolescents, Bad Brains and I could continue citing, but I'll spare you and in doing so, spare myself the pain of remembering ruined legacies. In fact, the only good "reunion" album I can think of is Celtic Frost's "Monotheist" and metal bands are notorious for getting back together and turning up the SUCK.
Another Chicago favorite of mine, aside from AoF, Naked Raygun, did recent ep's after reforming a few years ago. I am nearly terrified to hear these records. I don't know if I will ever order them, I am afraid it would just ruin it for me, like when your favorite restaurant changes the ingredients to your favorite dish, it's never the same again.
So, Judge, hats off to you for staying quietly dead, even when your nice remastered discography came out a few years ago. I'm glad we can rely on somethings to stay just how we remember them. But you know, if you ever do get back together, call me up so I can buy a ticket, but please, for the love of Pete, don't record anything new.
