Shudder to Think Return: A 17-Year Gap Closed with Riot Fest Heat and a West Coast Run
Post-hardcore/art-rock shapeshifters Shudder to Think are back—October–November dates across the U.S., a pre-tour hit at Riot Fest, and a lineup spanning the Pony Express Record era.
Back on the Road: First U.S. Tour in 17 Years
After two intimate LA warm-ups this spring, Shudder to Think have relaunched with their first U.S. tour in 17 years, running October 23–November 11. The run includes a hometown night in Washington, DC, a New York City stop, and West Coast dates in Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Ahead of the tour, the band also performed at Riot Fest (Sept 19) with a late-night aftershow.
The Live Unit
The current lineup features Craig Wedren (lead vocals), Nathan Larson (guitar), and Adam Wade (drums) alongside Clint Walsh (guitar) and Jherek Bischoff (bass)—a configuration that channels the glossy-feral tension of their ’90s work while staying elastic enough to breathe in 2025.
Portland Notes (From the Floor)
At Star Theater (Nov 7), the room was packed edge-to-edge and locked in from the first note. Opener Zwei Null Zwei arrived with OG Joy Division vibes—monochrome pulse, cool detachment—which fit the night’s mood perfectly.
Wedren walked out carrying his own mic—a small tell—and from there the set unfurled with that signature Shudder blend: bent melodies, dissonant pop, sudden pockets, and a crowd singing the left-turn choruses like muscle memory.
Why This Reunion Matters
Shudder to Think’s catalog—especially Pony Express Record—remains a unicorn in ’90s alternative: glamorous and wiry, dissonant and hooky. The current shows don’t play like a museum piece; they’re a reminder that the band’s “weird” was always emotionally legible—even danceable—and that art-rock can still move a room without sanding off its edges.
Watch
“X-French T-Shirt (Live at Permanent Records Roadhouse)” — a recent reunion-era performance that captures the sideways shimmer of their biggest cult classic.
Remaining West Coast Dates (Highlights)
- Nov 07 — Portland, OR — Star Theater
- Nov 08 — Seattle, WA — Barboza
- Nov 10 — San Francisco, CA — Brick & Mortar Music Hall
- Nov 11 — Los Angeles, CA — Lodge Room Highland Park
Quick Context
Last year marked the 30th anniversary of Pony Express Record—a boundary-pushing touchstone— and core members Wedren and Larson have since built prolific careers in film/TV scoring. This tour feels less like nostalgia than a re-ignition.
Credits
- Press photo: Diona Mavis.
- Portland photography: [Your Credit Here] for Music Coast.
Call to Action
Were you at Star Theater or another date on the run? Drop your standout moment and tag @MusicCoast—we’ll feature a few fan shots in our story.
