Kinks Reunion May Happen Without Dave Davies
The Kinks haven't released an album of new material since 'Phobia' in 1993, but if fans were expecting all that time off to smooth the famously fractious relationship between co-founding brothers Dave and Ray Davies, they can think again.
The band recently confirmed plans for a 50th anniversary reunion that will include new music, and during an interview with Mojo, Ray reiterated that the project is still going forward. It may not, however, include guitarist Dave.
"Dave’s invited to the party, but if he doesn’t want to do it, [the reunion] will happen anyway," he predicted. "He’s very welcome to turn up if he wants. I’d much rather work with him than without him."
In the meantime, Ray is recording new songs with Kinks drummer Mick Avory, and he shrugged off a question as to whether a Kinks project without both Davies brothers actually counts as the Kinks. "Yes, it would. I think it’s all down to the music," he argued. "If somebody can’t or won’t play, there are other players out there. Mick and I want to do it."
Here's hoping Dave's recent recalcitrance is a passing phase. Earlier this year, he sounded a far more encouraging note in an interview with Uncut, musing, "I said to Ray I thought that it’d be a great shame if we don’t try and do something. I don’t think our love has diminished. I think the stage play has played itself out a bit, the pretense and the acting. I think it’s time reality took over, and started directing the last years of ... whatever it is. It’s like Cain and Abel."