Cars, New Cars: Who's Doing What To Who? Or Whom?

"Get your programs here! Programs! You can't tell the Cars without a program!"

Okay, maybe it isn't as bad all that, but these days it doesn't take much Cars talk to confuse even the savviest rock fan.

First, news of the New Cars -- the reincarnation of The Cars that features original Cars Greg Hawkes and Elliot Easton with Todd Rundgren replacing Cars co-founder Ric Ocasek (more on him in a minute) and featuring bassist Kasim Sulton and drummer Prairie Prince. Sheesh! Confused yet?

The New Cars released a new album, It's Alive, back in the summer, and went on tour with Blondie. (Never mind what Blondie has to do with anything, just try and stay focused on the plot.) That tour had to be cancelled just weeks after it started because Easton broke his collarbone when the band's tour bus swerved to avoid another vehicle.

So, is everybody caught up now? Good. Now, the news: the New Cars tour is back on! They've confirmed 29 dates between November 1 and December 17. Easton, all better now, says, "I waited 17 years for this tour, and I'm excited to get back out there to entertain our devoted fans."

Now, to the aformentioned Mr. Ocasek, who politely declined the opportunity to join the New Cars, preferring, he said, to concentrate on his solo career. Apparently, however, his alliegance to the first Cars is such that he took a break from said solo career to produce The Cars Unlocked, a DVD/CD set that documents the golden days of the original band through live performances.

The set features interviews, backstage outtakes, and nearly two dozen previously unreleased performances. Care for a taste?

"My Best Friend's Girl" audio stream:
Windows Media | Quicktime

"Shake It Up" video stream:
Windows Media | Quicktime

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Is there enough room in the world for all these Cars? Yeah, I suppose so. As long as they don't use too much gas.
_{Images courtesy Special Ops Media}