The news that Babes in Toyland fans have been waiting for since June – though not exactly the news hometown fans were hoping for – the grunge-era punk queens have finally announced their first reunion show at the Roxy in Los Angeles on Feb. 12. Any plans for a Minneapolis gig or further dates are under wraps for now.
In a press release announcing the Roxy gig – tickets for which go on sale Friday – frontwoman Kat Bjelland expressed her excitement about getting to play for a new generation of fans who grew up on the Babes' widespread influence. This will be their first performance in 18 years.
"It was brought to my attention that not only do we have a lot of diehard fans from back in the day, but also a whole new generation of kids -- my son Henry included -- that were eager to see us live," Bjelland said. "I felt some kind of obligation for them to see us, too. But mainly, I just missed my girls and the feeling that comes from playing with them -- visceral live therapy."
The band members, also including drummer Lori Barbero and bassist Maureen Herman, did an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone that is expected to be posted on Tuesday. Herman also talked with a blog she writes for, BoingBoing.net, which has a photo of the trio rocking out in a rehearsal space.
Bjelland and Herman first hinted that plans for the reunion were taking shape in June when they did an interview at a college radio station in Pasadna, Calif. Barbero then added her approval with a hint of hesitency. She and Bjelland, the band's co-founders, had a falling out in the mid-'00s when Bjelland improperly used the band name with other musicians on a U.K. tour. Thankfully, though, that seems to be old news now.
Coincidentally or not, Barbero just moved back to Minneapolis earlier this month after several years residing in Austin, Texas. Bjelland also still lives here. Herman now calls Los Angeles home, and it was from there where the band posted rehearsal photos this fall, adding to the reunion buzz.
