If you replace a burst tire, you’re still driving the same car. Broken wing mirror? Pop on a new one and, yeah, obviously it’s the same machine. But what about if you swap out the engine? Replace the bumper? Fully re-do the paint-job? Is it the same car you started with? Well, it depends who you ask – and the same goes for bands. With the surprise announcement of a Pantera reunion on the horizon, it raises a few questions; with less than 50% of the original line-up involved, it’s unclear if this is set to be Pantera or a glorified cover-act. Line-up changes are to be expected as a band matures – people grow up, grow apart, move on – but, sometimes these shifts can be so drastic it begs the question: is this even the same band anymore?
To work out your answer to this question, you’ll first have to consider what aspect of a band is paramount in your mind. While there are many factors that may come into play, we’re inclined to suggest that there are two categories dictating who a band truly are: their sound and their core values.
The importance of sound versus values will change depending on what band you’re dealing with. For example, while the departure of Tom DeLonge from Blink-182 may have sonically shifted the band’s vocals, Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba has perfectly fit into the band’s cheeky, fun-loving core values. Yes, we may no longer be able to hear DeLonge’s iconic croon of “where are yeeewwww?” on-stage anymore, but the energy captured on 2016 album ‘California’ was enough to prove Blink-182 were still the same pop-punk delight they always have been. The sound is different, but the values are still there – and thus the band continue to thrive.
If you’re dead-set on defining a band by their sound, however, you may believe that Blink-182 will never be the same band without the Mark Hoppus/Tom DeLonge vocal duo – and that’s understandable. If sound is your focus then a vocalist change is undoubtedly the most obvious change a band can undergo.
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Again, if we consider sound alone, Queen’s decision to take on Adam Lambert serves as perhaps one of the most famous (and risky) vocalist switch-ups in history; for many, Lambert’s vocals will never quite emulate the golden tones of the late Freddie Mercury. But, if we consider Queen’s core values, and their penchant for performance, the decision to take on such a charismatic, flamboyant performer entirely fits the bill. In that respect, Queen are still the same band they always were – sonically different, but breathing new life into their core value of glorious theatricality.
In more extreme cases, if we take a look at the world American post-hardcore, Dance Gavin Dance have swapped out vocalists like pairs of shoes – nearly every album seems to feature a new match-up of vocalists, a seemingly never ending revolving door of sonic alteration. Yet the core values and energy of post-hardcore remains – you’ll still go to a show and have a brilliant, sweaty time. Some may say every album is a new band, but, if you’re focusing on the values and live experience, what’s the real difference? The band still serve the same purpose – you won’t bat an eyelid.
And what if a vocalist sticks to their post? Panic! At The Disco now stands as a solo project, the only remaining member being vocalist Brendon Urie – and, Urie’s vocals are instantly recognisable and as sharp as ever, it’s clear that Panic! is not the same ‘band’ it once was. Many even believe he should drop the name entirely.
Brendon Urie sucks for not dropping Panic! at the Disco as his artist name cause I still listen to their first two albums a lot so whenever he shows up on my top listened to artists it’s mad embarrassing
— leonel (@aleonelfilm) July 9, 2022
The project is no longer the same quirky, serpent-tongued force it once was with Ryan Ross penning the lyrics back on ‘Fever…’, nor is it the same band that had I Don’t Know How But The Found Me’s Dallon Weekes onboard. 2018’s ‘Pray For The Wicked’ was unabashedly pop, entirely straying from the core roots and values of the band’s emo/alt-rock beginnings. Are vocals really enough to pin a band’s identity on?
Pantera’s recent announcement of a reunion tour brings the entire idea to a head – will this reunion be the same band sonically or in terms of their core values? While many of the initial members are no longer around, the two surviving members taking on a new touring party to fill in the gaps, it could be argued that this will serve as a ‘new band’; sonically, we’re not going to have many of the musical minds that made up the original line-up, so it’s sure to sound different. People are even saying the two main ‘talents’ are long gone, so what’s the point?
Sorry but who’s gonna give a shit about a Pantera reunion at all in 2023? Literally the two most talented people have been dead for years.
— Kit ‘Em High 🏳️⚧️ (@ForKitSake) July 14, 2022
We’re also inclined to argue that the core values have taken a drastic turn – with Phil Anselmo at the helm, it’s guaranteed that this version of Pantera will welcome in a more overt brand of racism and prejudice. Anselmo’s racism was never a part of the original lineup, having joined the group in 1986. A level of responsibility has to be considered when justifying whether a band has ‘changed’ – and sometimes sounding the same cannot detract from the poisonous values hidden beneath a similar sound.
With no clear line in the sand, there’s no definite method of determining whether a band has changed. Arguably, the decision lies in the hands of the individual – does the band still fulfill the role you want it to? Sometimes change can be for the better; sometimes cutting ties or involving a fresh mindset is necessary. And, if we’re being real, there’s always going to be a slew of snarky tweets telling a band “YOU’VE CHANGED” when a new album drops anyway. While the decision ultimately lies in the hands of the individual, one must tread with caution and consider whether a band still offer up content and ideals that you are happy to consume.
Words: Emily Swingle
