this is just a total cash-in, imo. and its really cheap to be doing this w/out the two primary songwriters and especially w/out ocasek (but if he gives his blessing than thats really all that matters). it reminds me of the doors reunion a few years ago w/ the dude from the cult and stewart copeland. i would respect it a bit more if they just used a new name - they could still bill themselves as members of the cars and even bust out a few cars tunes and it would still be respectable, but to be THE NEW CARS??? i will say this about rundgren though...he is a production whiz - he did xtc's skylarking, which is the sgt. peppers of the 80's, imo.
I'm not taking the Cars seriously. I loved them. They were great. This has NOTHING to do with them or their music. IMO, the NEW Cars suck donkey nuts. I, personally, find nothing interesting, fun or meritous about their music. There are other bands that do this a LOT better than they do. That's just MY personal opinion. It doesn't mean you shouldn't like them and it doesn't mean I need to lighten up - though I appreciate you telling me to, because obviously, I must have a stick up my ass if I can't like the New Cars.
Old f*cks like myself don't want to go to concerts with bands they grew up with to hear songs about how I hurt my back everytime I pick something heavy, I can't have sexy all night long anymore, etc. I am going for the nostalgia of my mispent youth like geting laid unexpectedly, driving around in a fast car, listening to loud music, having a couple of drinks because it was cool, mas etc.
Well it sounds like you have something really against them. Easton and Hawkes are great, were huge parts of the original Cars, and I think it works good enough for a good time. I would really like to see Easton play, he rips, I'm glad he is doing his thing. Would you hate them as much if that was Ric Ocasek and not Rundgren?
From wiki- Rundgren: "an opportunity ... for me to pay my bills, play to a larger audience, work with musicians I know and like, and ideally have some fun for a year." I think Easton and Hawkes probably share the same sentiment and would be upfront with it, they are just trying to make some cash man.
