Mineral Frontman Chris Simpson Discusses Their Reunion Tour Following 17 Years of Silence

Phillip Morgan ‘18 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

Ask any fan of emo who the godfathers of the genre are and Mineral is almost certain to enter the conversation. While their original run as a band from 1994-1998 may have been brief, the impact their two full-length LPs (1995’s The Power of Failing and 1998’s EndSerenading) have had over the years on the genre and community as a whole has been nothing short of monumental. However, as emo has made a return to the forefront of the indie and punk music scenes in recent years, hope for reunions of the genre’s old greats began to spark, especially when emo pioneers Sunny Day Real Estate released their first new song in years and fellow 90s emo stalwarts Braid triumphantly returned as an active band, dropping their first new record in sixteen years not too long ago.

It seems Mineral’s legacy is not lost on the band itself either, as earlier this year they announced their first tour in seventeen years with new indie/emo darlings Into It. Over It. in honor of the 20-year anniversary of the band’s formation. The public reaction was so positive, in fact, that after expanding the US reunion tour to include dates playing Chicago, IL’s Riot Fest and Gainesville, FL’s Fest 13, they added a string of international dates and are now planning a reissue of their two full-length LPs along with several previously unreleased bonus tracks and alternate versions of classic songs.

By the time this article hits the internet, Mineral’s Boston date has already come and gone, but just before going to the show Emertainment Monthly was able to get in touch with Mineral frontman Chris Simpson via email and ask him some questions regarding the band’s reformation, what returning to the scene and touring again and a 17-year hiatus is like, and life in general. Here’s what he had to say:

Emertainment Monthly: Ok, this is what everyone is gonna wanna know, so let’s just get it out of the way. Is this reunion a one-off thing, are there future plans for Mineral, or have you not thought that far ahead yet?

Chris Simpson: There are no future plans beyond the tour. We definitely had our plates full preparing for it. So nothing in the works beyond.

What prompted you guys to get back together in the first place?

I guess the fact that it’s been 20 years was a factor. We got together with the idea of maybe doing a one-off show. Then it felt pretty good, so we got an agent on board and put the feelers out to possibly do a full tour.

Did the recent resurgence of talented emo bands and their growing popularity have anything to do with the timing of this reunion by chance?

No.

So you’re on this reunion tour with Into It. Over It. Have you been listening to any other bands in the newest wave of emo?

No. I’ve heard the new Braid record. I guess that doesn’t really count as the newest wave.

Do you believe the landscape of emo has changed any with this new wave from when you were first a band? Any ideas where it could be headed?

I’m not sure.  I’m not terribly plugged into or concerned with the emo landscape to be honest.

On a sort of related note, is there anything else from the 90’s you guys miss or get really nostalgic about?

Bands like Sugar and Buffalo Tom and My Bloody Valentine and the Dambuilders. Man, just a bunch of great bands that we sort of idolized.

Is there anything you wish you could tell the younger emo bands or people just now getting into the genre? What about the old school fans who might have a harder time accepting the new bands?

You just do what you do, young emo bands. Do your thing. Old people like what they like. Someday you will be old too.

Favorite 90s TV Show. Go.

Probably Cheers.

What would be your dream tour lineup in terms of bands?

Maybe Van Morrison and The Velvet Underground. Bill Fay could open.

I know I’ve harped on new emo vs old emo a lot now but I honestly consider it all equally awesome. Agree or disagree?

Have no specific opinions on the matter.

Last, and most importantly: your thoughts on pizza?

Pizza is wonderful. Just a delightful kind of food.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I am humbled and awed and grateful that you even bothered to read this. Best of luck to you all in the future and I can’t wait to see your show tomorrow.

Thank you!  We’re very excited to be able to play for you. See you tomorrow.

Check out Mineral’s US tour dates with Into It. Over It., the new international dates, and information on the reissue of their two LP’s here.