Police Reunion?

[Rob Damen]

Police reunion rumors reaching fever pitch

By Jonathan Cohen
Billboard.com

NEW YORK — Rumors are swirling that the Police will reunite for 2007 dates in England and the United States, which would be the legendary trio’s first since disbanding in 1986. Sources tell Billboard.com the reports are legitimate but would not publicly comment until final details are nearer to completion.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of “Roxanne,” the single that broke the Police in the United States. In a statement issued last month, A&M Records said, “It is our intention to mark the anniversary by doing something special with the band’s catalogue of songs. Needless to say, everyone is hopeful the band will support our plans and while early discussions have taken place, nothing has been decided.”

Sources say in addition to DVD releases, A&M is planning another multi-disc collection in the vein of 1993’s “Message in a Box,” which featured the band’s complete studio recordings and a handful of rarities.

A Police reunion has been the concert industry’s dream for two decades, as it is believed the band could play stadiums internationally should it choose to reunite. But besides an impromptu set at Sting’s 1992 wedding to Trudie Styler, the Police’s only other post-breakup performance was in celebration of its 2003 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

And while Sting has repeatedly expressed reluctance at reuniting, drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers have kept the flame alive. This summer, Summers told Billboard he was certain the group could have continued on past its 1983 commercial peak with “Synchronicity.”

“The more rational approach would have been, ‘OK, Sting, go make a solo record, and let’s get back together in two or three years,’” he said. “I’m certain we could have done that. Of course we could have. We were definitely not in a creative dry space. We could have easily carried on, and we could probably still be there. That wasn’t to be our fate. It went in another way. I regret we never paid it off with a last tour. We snuck out the back door, which is what we were told to do, until it just became too frustrating to lie about it.”

“I’m very keen on it,” Copeland told Billboard.com of a potential reunion, the day after the Rock Hall induction. “But I absolutely understand why it’s not going to happen and I’m down with that. It was really great to be the Police for 15 minutes. If you can think of some other award we can go get or some other good reason, give me a call, and I’ll try it out!”

In 2001, Copeland excitedly told Billboard about “one piece of unreleased Police product” which he hoped would eventually see the light of day.

“One of the times when they were working on the box set or something like that, they convened the three of us on the phone. Sting and Andy were in Italy; Andy was visiting Sting at the time, and I was on a DSL line in L.A.,” he recalled. “And we went down all the song titles from all of our albums. Song title: ‘Can’t Stand Losing You.’ And we each just talked about the track and argued and shouted and screamed. There was laughter and tears. It was very cathartic. It was almost like a therapy session. It was hysterical. It was so much fun.”

“We were really going at it with all the language, straight for the jugular, refighting the battles, laughing hysterically while we put the stiletto exactly where we stuck it last time,” he continued. “The engineer said it was like watching a concert. They were in Italy and it’s like after dinner, and I’m here in L.A. at 10 in the morning. I’m getting more and more caffeinated as they’re getting drunker and drunker.”

“It seems like we’re in contact all the time, but actually, years go by,” Copeland said of his ongoing relationship with Summers and Sting. “It’s sort of like whenever we see each other, it’s like we saw each other five minutes ago. We don’t have any sensation of time going by. We don’t pick up the phone every week, but when we do, we pick up from where we left off.”

I'd love to see Copeland behind the skins again!!!!!

Cheers,

Rob

[Dr Dave]

In the beginning, the sound of The Police had as much to do with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers as it did with Sting.

[Gentle Giant]

Will Sting be required to reattach his testicles in order to play Police music?

[Chris D]

As long as Stewart remembers to pack the hi-hat, they'll be OK.

[Surfer]

King of the Hi-Hat! You stole that from me!

[Root Doctor]

At the very least, Hansen will be able to imagine themselves at the mid-century mark.

[deat set drongo]

In a recent interview in Modern Drummer Stewart said Sting was not interested at all. This sounds to me like the many Beatles reunion rumours that went on for years and years.

[Ron Thorne]

There's plenty of fuel for this fire on the internet.

The Police departs on 60+ dates reunion tour

Posted on 07 Jan, 2007 - Bookmark at Del.icio.us



This is a cool story... being a longtime The Police fan, I
just had to post this in the Side-Line blog

The popular fan website www.stingus.net has broken the
news that The Police will do a reunion tour in 2007 spread
over more than 60 dates. It is not the first time that fan
sites 'break' the news before the official ones but this is
surely a bomb for the mainstream music scene as one
would expect that an official site would be somewhat faster
in reacting to announce such a big news story.

Since December 2006 rumours had been circulating on the
Stingus.net website, culminating in articles released
worldwide in the mainstream press about a pending The
Police reunion based merely on what that fan website had
written.

Good news to start 2007 with.

[Rob Damen]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

There's plenty of fuel for this fire on the internet.

The Police departs on 60+ dates reunion tour

Posted on 07 Jan, 2007 - Bookmark at Del.icio.us



This is a cool story... being a longtime The Police fan, I
just had to post this in the Side-Line blog

The popular fan website www.stingus.net has broken the
news that The Police will do a reunion tour in 2007 spread
over more than 60 dates. It is not the first time that fan
sites 'break' the news before the official ones but this is
surely a bomb for the mainstream music scene as one
would expect that an official site would be somewhat faster
in reacting to announce such a big news story.

Since December 2006 rumours had been circulating on the
Stingus.net website, culminating in articles released
worldwide in the mainstream press about a pending The
Police reunion based merely on what that fan website had
written.

Good news to start 2007 with.

So, Mr. Thorne, I wanted to hear your thoughts on Copeland's drumming given that you're a drum teacher, as I recall. Many of us were raised on this guy's aforementioned hi-hat work, but the man was so crisp and powerful all over his kit with the Police. One of the live versions of "Syncronicity" had drum guys wetting their pants on Copeland's first note alone. I seem to recall that Max Roach was a huge fan of his, too.

Cheers,

Rob

[Enforcer]

I'm no Ron Thorne, but Stewart Copeland was a very big influence on me back in the day. The two most striking aspects of his playing for me were his snare drum sound and his sense of phrasing. He got a crack out of that snare that still stands out from everyone else even to this day. The way he tuned it - very tight - and the resonance he managed to get out of a small drum, were spectacular. A big dose of credit should probably go to Hugh Padgham, who produced his sound (and Phil Collins' also) on those records, but you have to play it right in the first place to get that sound.

His phrasing and syncopation really turned my head around. Little touches like the aforementioned hi-hat stuff, the use of the ride cymbal bell, the wide range of dynamics on the toms and roto-toms.

And it all worked so well with that music.

[Rob Damen]

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

I'm no Ron Thorne, but Stewart Copeland was a very big influence on me back in the day. The two most striking aspects of his playing for me were his snare drum sound and his sense of phrasing. He got a crack out of that snare that still stands out from everyone else even to this day. The way he tuned it - very tight - and the resonance he managed to get out of a small drum, were spectacular. A big dose of credit should probably go to Hugh Padgham, who produced his sound (and Phil Collins' also) on those records, but you have to play it right in the first place to get that sound.

His phrasing and syncopation really turned my head around. Little touches like the aforementioned hi-hat stuff, the use of the ride cymbal bell, the wide range of dynamics on the toms and roto-toms.

And it all worked so well with that music.

Amen ....

I'd like to add that "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" is immortal when it comes to Copeland's playing, and it's a really great song to boot. I think it illustrates much of what you're saying here, particularly the ride cymbal touches he uses during the choruses. And your right, Padgham was great with producing drum sounds.

And then there's the way he locks in with Summers, one of the great rhythm guitar players of all time. How many of us drum geeks and guitar fanatics haven't spun "Voices in My Head" thousands of times?

Cheers,

Rob

[Ron Thorne]

I'm no Larry Nagel, but I'm in basic agreement with Larry's enthusiasm for Stewart's sensitivities and phrasing.



I've always liked my snare drum tuned pretty tightly, so I was pleased and a bit surprised to hear Copeland's snare respond so crisply the first time I heard him. That's not typical of most rock/pop drummer's snare tuning.

Not unlike Roy Haynes, Copeland is a very textural drummer who also utilizes dynamics and subtlety brilliantly.

Frankly, I was always more taken with the approach and musicianship of Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland than Sting . . . and that remains today.

Stewart Copeland perfectly complimented what the Police chose to pursue musically, and he's one fine, sensitive drummer in my book.

[jaka]

Originally Posted by Chris D

As long as Stewart remembers to pack the hi-hat, they'll be OK.

I remember smiling when Peter gabriel's So was released in '86. What other drummer do you invite to do the hi-hat intro to your record?

Originally Posted by Rob Damen

And then there's the way he locks in with Summers, one of the great rhythm guitar players of all time.

Amen to that.


°°°°°°


However, I wonder how The Police will sound playing Dowland?

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by jaka

I remember smiling when Peter gabriel's So was released in '86. What other drummer do you invite to do the hi-hat intro to your record?

Max Roach?

[Vince Kargatis]

Copeland's a good writer too. Always dug the theme to The Equalizer. : )

[Gentle Giant]

I've always heard Bruford in Copeland. And since someone mentioned Peter Gabriel, I also like Manu Katche for many of the same reasons I dig Bruford and Copeland.


Broof and Cope, 2002

[Dr Dave]

I always liked the stuff Copeland didn't play. He knows how to get a lot from a little. If I never hear Roxanne again it will be too soon, but man, that simple turnaround he did on the chorus...POW!

[Gary Sisco]

I think this is a party I can safely miss.

[jaka]

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

I've always heard Bruford in Copeland. And since someone mentioned Peter Gabriel, I also like Manu Katche for many of the same reasons I dig Bruford and Copeland.

Found myself a twin...

[deat set drongo]

Well it's nice to see they'll tour again.

I too am a drum and percussion teacher. I remember when Stewart first came on the scene. He made many drummers turn their heads.

I agree there is a Bruford influence. I can hear it was back on Fragile.

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

I think this is a party I can safely miss.

But Gary, what if they play "Next To You"?

[wesbound]

The Police were better in concert than on their records. I'm hoping they have a reunion soon.

[Rob Damen]

Report: Police rehearsing for tour in Vancouver

Jonathan Cohen
Billboard.com

NEW YORK — The Police will rehearse for their upcoming reunion tour at Lions Gate Studios in Vancouver, according to reports Thursday (Jan. 25) by the city’s classic rock radio station, CFMI. Details of the summer trek, the band’s first in more than two decades, will be announced next month.

In addition, the Police are strongly rumored to be performing as part of the opening segment of the Grammy telecast on Feb. 11 from Los Angeles’ Staples Center. At deadline, a Grammy spokesperson had no information on a possible appearance by the group.

Before the Police get busy, Sting has a three-week European tour on tap in support of his lute album, “Songs From the Labryinth.” The outing, which finds the artist accompanied by lutenist Edin Karamazov, begins Feb. 18 in Paris and wraps March 12 in Stuttgart, Germany.

On Feb. 20, Deutsche Grammophon will release a CD/DVD companion piece to “Labryinth,” dubbed “The Journey And The Labyrinth: The Music Of John Dowland.” The project will include a DVD chronicling Sting’s fascination with 16th century musician John Dowland and a concert at St. Luke’s Church in London.

The audio from that show, which features the Police’s “Message in a Bottle” and Robert Johnson’s “Hell Hound,” is represented on the CD.

Cheers,

Rob

[Cem]

Tea in the Sahara

[Vince Kargatis]

I like the Police, but "Tea" was weak.

On a very tangential reuniting note, James is getting back together! I'm psyched, I love that band.

[Cem]

It's not a great song as it was recorded, but I think has great potential. Imagine a sunny outdoor show on a vast field or in a dry valley with great feeling of desert space and hearing this tune... Before I even heard about their rehearsals in Vancouver, I'd been humming the tune daily, maybe because I'm working on an African fest here, with one of the four nights titled "A Night in the Sahara". Synchronicity is a good pop album & I dug it big when it came out.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Cem

Synchronicity is a good pop album & I dug it big when it came out.

You're not alone in that department, Cem.

[jazzgregg]

As yet another drummer/teacher (sorry I've been away for a while), I concur with both Larry and Ron in their usual wisdom.

I'd also mention that I think the only reason Sting is agreeing to do it NOW, is because his solo career is taking a dump. Would he have considered it during the 'Soul Cages' period? No way, not even during the 'Ten Summoner's Tales' period. Nope, but now that it seems people care less about him and more about the Police, he's into it. Call my cynical but that's the way it seems to me.

That said, yeah, I do want to see it. But can they even do stuff like 'Landlord' and (as mentioned) 'Next to You' anymore? We shall see, Chris Botti ain't in THIS band, Gordie.

G

[Chris D]

I hope it inspires them enough to get back into the studio.

[Ron Thorne]

My oldest son, who will fly to Seattle next week to witness the Police reunion, sent me the following article this morning. It's yet another reason to dig Stewart Copeland.


Drummer Stewart Copeland performs during the opening concert of the Police
Reunion Tour in Vancouver, British Columbia, May 28, 2007.
REUTERS/Andy Clark



Police drummer rips band's "lame" concert

Fri Jun 1, 2007 11:13AM EDT

By Dean Goodman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The singer in the Police jumps like a "petulant pansy," the drummer is making a "complete hash," and who knows what the guitarist is doing?

Notes from a bitter critic? Actually, it's a disarmingly frank concert review from the aforementioned drummer of the newly reunited rock trio.

A philosophical Stewart Copeland unleashed his vitriol in a posting on his Web site on Thursday, a day after the band played its second show in Vancouver, the Canadian city where it began its first world tour in more than 20 years on Monday.

"This is unbelievably lame," Copeland wrote of Wednesday's show at the GM Place arena. "We are the mighty Police and we are totally at sea."

Most of the 20,000 fans at the venue might not have noticed a series of small flubs, but Copeland, singer/bassist Sting, and guitarist were painfully aware of them.

Copeland started the show off on the wrong foot, literally. He tripped as he took to the stage, and then banged his gong at the wrong time so that "the big pompous opening to the show is a damp squib."

He did not hear Summers' opening riff to "Message In a Bottle," and Sting in turn misheard Copeland's drum intro -- "so we are half a bar out of sync with each other. Andy is in Idaho."

They quickly recovered, but then Sting got his footwork wrong as he leapt into the air to signal the end to a shambolic version of their rat-race rant "Synchronicity II."

"The mighty Sting momentarily looks like a petulant pansy instead of the god of rock," Copeland reported.

"And so it goes, for song after song," he wrote, with tunes such as "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" and "Don't Stand So Close To Me" reduced to ruin.

"It usually takes about four or five shows in a tour before you get to the disaster gig. But we're The Police so we are a little ahead of schedule," he said.

Fortunately, no fists flew backstage as they did back in the Police's heyday. The threesome fell into each other's arms laughing hysterically, Copeland said.

"Screw it, it's only music. What are you gonna do? But maybe it's time to get out of Vancouver."

The band's next show is set for Saturday in Edmonton.

Reuters

© Reuters 2006. All rights reserved.