9 bands we wish would come back to make another full-length album

In the past decade, everyone from Misfits and Jawbreaker to My Chemical Romance and Rage Against The Machine has thrilled us with the announcement of a reunion show or tour. And while we’re ecstatic to see these artists hit the road again, that doesn’t stop us from wishing that they’d make a pitstop or two to record another studio album.

Below are nine bands we wish would head back to the studio to record a new album.

Read more: 10 alternative artists who have defined Riot Fest throughout the years

My Chemical Romance

LAST ALBUM RELEASE: Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys (2010)

Undoubtedly the scene’s most-wished-for return, it’s felt like rumors of a My Chemical Romance reunion have been circulating ever since the band’s 2013 split. Prayers were answered when My Chemical Romance returned to the stage in 2019. While the band are touring well into 2022, there’s been no news of an album in the works. We’ve had “new” (old) MCR music post-breakup in the form of The Black Parade anniversary LP Living With Ghosts and the one-off single “Fake Your Death,” as well as solo or new band efforts from each member. However, the MCRmy won’t be satisfied until the New Jersey natives return together to finish what they started.

The Smiths

LAST ALBUM RELEASE: Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)

It’d be great if the Smiths frontman Morrissey would stop sharing his political views and instead focus on giving us the first new music from the Manchester, U.K. indie-rock legends in more than 30 years. There would, however, be more to overcome than the vocalist’s ill-judged public outbursts before a Smiths reunion could happen—egos have always been an issue here. Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr have never had the best of relationships. While whispers of reconciliation have persisted, Morrissey has previously said that he’d rather “eat his own testicles” than reunite the Smiths. Lovely.

Misfits

LAST ALBUM RELEASE: The Devil’s Rain (2011)

Frontman Glenn Danzig returned to the Misfits in a live setting in 2016, following legal battles seemingly over everything from royalties to legacy preservation to the philosophical dichotomies he had with bassist Jerry Only. Only has stated that a desire exists among himself, Danzig and guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein to work on new music but that it’s proving difficult to put concrete plans in place. With a show slated for Riot Fest 2022 (where they’ll play Walk Among Us in full), it would appear that things are active, at least to some extent, in the weird world of the Misfits.

Jawbreaker

LAST ALBUM RELEASE: Dear You (1995)

Perhaps the most respected members of the ‘90s emo/punk scene, New York City trio Jawbreaker made a live comeback, including shows at Riot Fest in 2017 and 2019. But when it comes to new music, things have been pretty quiet. Frontman Blake Schwarzenbach has claimed that the band are “trying to” write new material, but this has yet to see the light of day. The closest we’ve got has been the remastering of Jawbreaker’s 1989 demo, uploaded to Bandcamp in 2017. Fingers crossed the threesome still possess that stellar knack for punk-rock songwriting.

Fugazi

LAST ALBUM RELEASE: The Argument (2001)

One of punk’s most revered names and pioneers of DIY ethics in music, Washington, D.C. legends Fugazi have been on indefinite hiatus since 2003. The band have apparently been offered a fuckload of money to reform, but vocalist/guitarist Ian MacKaye has maintained that any reunion will be because of musical reasons rather than financial incentive. The members of Fugazi have played together in private since going on a break. 2014 saw the release of 1988’s First Demo recordings, but the wait for an official comeback of the punk quartet continues…

Rage Against The Machine

LAST ALBUM RELEASE: Renegades (2000)

Things are pretty fucked right now, so we could do with another Rage Against The Machine album. The emergence of Prophets Of Rage—a supergroup combining RATM members Tim Commerford, Tom Morello and Brad Wilk with Chuck D, DJ Lord and B-Real—is welcome, but without Zack de la Rocha, their political statements don’t feel as potent. The Rage Against The Machine frontman has supposedly been working on solo material for the last 21 years, but little of that has made its way into the public domain. While Rage Against The Machine will embark on a reunion tour in 2022, the rock world’s hankering for a full-blown album refuses to dissipate.

From First To Last

LAST ALBUM RELEASE: Dead Trees (2015)

The release of 2017 single “Make War” sent From First To Last fans into a frenzy. It was, after all, the first music released by the band to feature original vocalist Sonny Moore in 11 years. Prior to dropping “Make War,” Moore had been operating under Skrillex. Meanwhile, fellow FFTL members had gone on to work with other bands, such as Matt Good with Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows. From First To Last’s original lineup has since reunited for a number of live shows, and while Moore has spoken of new music, the odds of a new album here look short.

The Academy Is…

LAST ALBUM RELEASE: Fast Times At Barrington High (2008)

Fellow noughties pop-punkers the Audition’s reunion took place at 2018’s Slam Dunk Festival in the U.K., so the time would appear right for beloved Chicago natives the Academy Is… to make their return. 2015 saw a live comeback at Riot Fest and a 10th-anniversary tour for their debut LP, Almost Here, but there’s been little movement, albeit with no confirmation of a breakup, since. Hopefully, 2021 will prove to be the year that William Beckett and the boys get back to the studio.

Box Car Racer

LAST ALBUM RELEASE: Box Car Racer (2002)

Often cited as a key reason for the initial split of blink-182, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker’s only album as Box Car Racer is a glorious shot of punk-rock fury. That being said, when it comes to DeLonge, anything can happen. With a new Angels & Airwaves record on the way, fans can be forgiven for wondering if a return for this side project might be in the cards.

This piece first appeared in Alternative Press issue 356 and was curated by Jake Richardson.