Four Local Legends Are Reuniting For Holiday Shows This Year: Why You Should Care

Michael Dauphin

MU330 at the Firebird in June.

It's fairly common to see local bands get back together over the winter holiday season. With people taking time off work to come home to their families, it only makes sense to plan a reunion show somewhere around Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve. That said, it's still mildly shocking to see four St. Louis powerhouses from the '90s make their way back to the stage this year. Celery, Fragile Porcelain Mice, Not Waving But Drowning and MU330 are all playing shows before 2011 draws to a close. Here's why you should care:

Celery (with Vinyl and The Browncoats)
The Firebird
November 24

First show since: November 26, 2009 at The Firebird

After a good run from the mid '90s to the early aughts, alt-rock/pop-punk Celery called it quits until reuniting in 2008. Since then the group has played a handful of shows but hasn't graced the stage for almost two years, though singer/guitarist Phil Stendek has maintained an active solo career. Celery brings a heavy dose of silliness to their material in concert. The group will do anything for a laugh, whether it be inserting lyrics from local commercial jingles into their songs or adding intentionally awful scat singing and trumpet solos to the end of them.

Said awful breakdown starts around 4:10

Whats the Needle For- Celery

NITZER | Myspace Video

But look past all the hijinks and you'll find four guys with serious chops playing whip-smart pop music. Some songs contain touches of funk, jazz or metal and it's to Celery's credit that these additions always feel natural. Still, one doesn't have to appreciate its musicianship to enjoy the ridiculousness that is a Celery concert.