Before AFI bassist Hunter Burgan was hanging on posters tacked to the bedroom walls of a million gothed out teens and selling more records than MC Hammer, he played in a band called The Force, from Grass Valley, who I mainly remember from a promo flat one of my old roommates hung on his bedroom wall, that had Greebo, my favorite Star Wars character on it. The Force also included singer Matt Wedgley, who now fronts the band Viva Hate (which coincidentally also includes Geoff Kresge, the old bassist from AFI who Hunter Burgan replaced) and guitarist Mark Roustabout now with The Roustabouts. Long story short, the band is getting back together for a couple of shows marking the 10-year anniversary of their last show together in 1998 and to celebrate a re-release of all their old material. Here’s the press release:

June 29, 2008— NorCal hardcore/punk band, The Force, is reuniting for the first time in 10 years. Singer Matt Wedgley, bassist Hunter Burgan, guitarist Mark Roustabout and the inimitable drummer Chad Cox went their separate ways after the band’s final show in 1998, each following his own path to personal and professional success.

This reunion will give fans as well as those who missed The Force the first time around a chance to witness California hardcore/punk at its truest and finest.

The Force will only be playing three shows, the first of which will be in their hometown of Grass Valley, CA (a small town in the Sierra Nevada foothills, between Sacramento and Reno) followed by a Bay Area concert and finally a Southern California stop. The dates are as follows:

August 29, 2008 - Miner’s Foundry in Nevada City (Grass Valley), CA
August 30, 2008 - 924 Gilman St. in Berkeley, CA
August 31, 2008 - Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA

Formed in May of 1995, the band recorded and toured for three years. The Force released several recordings, including a 7″, a 10″ and a split 7″ as well as a number of songs on compilations.

This reunion will coincide with the release of a complete discography, containing every song The Force ever recorded. A limited edition, 21-song double-LP will be sold at the shows as well as online while supplies last.

The “San Francisco” installment of the Paid Dues Festival, featuring Mos Def, Rakim, GZA, De La Soul and a grip of others, set for tomorrow in Berkeley (hey, close enough) has been cancelled. Here’s the release:

Guerilla Union and MURS 3:16 regret to announce that the PAID DUES INDEPENDENT HIP HOP FESTIVAL scheduled for Saturday, June 14 at the Berkeley Community Theatre in Berkeley, CA, has been cancelled due to matters beyond our control.

For fans who have purchased tickets to the show, we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Refunds are available for ticket holders at the point-of-purchase.

Ahh, good old “matters beyond our control.”

Our friend and amazing photographer Hali McGrath was on hand last week in Berkeley when R.E.M. came through town with Modest Mouse and The National. Check out some of her badass pics after the jump

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