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Did anyone seriously think Pavement weren't coming back at some point?

PREVIEW: DOWNLOAD Pavement’s “Shady Lane/J vs. S” MP3
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: News of Note: Pavement Is Officially Back

As of this writing, Pavement are scheduled to perform four reunion dates next year, playing their first shows together since a fateful concert in London on November 20, 1999. Die-hard fans will finally get to see Stephen Malkmus rattle off the lyrics to lo-fi classics like “Silence Kid,” “Shady Lane,” “Spit on a Stranger” and countless other gems with the band that helped make them great. One question: Who didn’t see this thing coming?

After the Led Zeppelin reunion in 2007, Dinosaur Jr.’s wildly successful comeback and the return of bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Pixies and others, it was never hard to imagine Pavement reuniting for some kind of show. I expected it this year (their 20-year anniversary), but beggars can’t be choosers.

The tickets for the first date at the Central Park Summerstage sold out within two minutes of the announcement, which led to three more dates being added. The last one listed thus far is Friday, September 24, 2010. They’re almost sure to add more dates, despite their insistence of, “Please be advised this tour is not a prelude to additional jaunts and/or a permanent reunion.”

Considering Scott Kannberg told Rolling Stone that they were looking at more festivals — Coachella, for instance — I think we can keep our hopes up for more activity from the group. Not to say that you shouldn’t be amped if you already have tickets — I know I am.

– Eric Vilas-Boas, Production Editor