Never say never.
Twelve years after calling it quits, The Mommyheads are back at it, pulling from their six-album canon and rocking out like it’s 1992.
The 1980s and ’90s saw the mellow rock band rise on indie labels such as Simple Machines, and, after years of critical success and stellar live shows, sign to Geffen (ooh, big time) in 1997. But, one album and one year later, they were dropped and unplugged their amps — seemingly for good.
But three years ago, the band reunited to play a series of memorial shows for its deceased drummer at venues including Union Hall, and even put out a new album, “You’re Not A Dream.”
Then they went back to their day jobs as computer programmers and composers for commercials, thinking they were really done this time.
But Sweden just wouldn’t stop calling.
“They were like, we’re going to make sure you get back together and come here,” said singer Adam Elk, whose band is inexplicably huge over there. “It was like getting the guys out of the old age home — let’s get the band back together!”
For a modest band with largely a cult following — you’d be hard-pressed to find any of its earlier records, though the 1994 classic, “Flying Suit,” has been reissued — the trip this past spring was a nice ego-boost. Since coming back to New York, Elk has gotten back into writing, revisiting 1970s prog rock for some inspiration, and booked some gigs stateside.
The foursome will be at Park Slope’s Rock Shop on Aug. 19, where you can expect the group’s tight musicianship and XTC-like layered sound.
And this fall, the band looks to release a compilation album, “Finest Specimens,” out just in time for CMJ.
It looks like the Mommyheads aren’t cutting the cord again anytime soon.
The Mommyheads at Rock Shop [249 Fourth Ave. between President and Carroll streets in Park Slope, (718) 230-5740], Aug. 19 at 8 pm. Tickets $8. For info, visit www.therockshopny.com.