The Nimrods

"We are all in our thirties now. Jobs and family demand a lot of time, so the Nimrods only play every once in a while," says Ric Mallardi, better known as Ric Nimrod, guitarist and vocalist for the Akron band. That's one of the reasons their upcoming reunion is not to be missed: This just doesn't happen that often. "We have done a couple of reunion shows since we split, but it has been about four years since the last one, and who knows when the next one will be?" he adds.

That's not to say the Nimrods aren't a force to be reckoned with. The pop-punk band was active for eight years, releasing multiple singles on compilation CDs as well as three full albums of its own -- and that's not to mention the members' improv skills. "At a gig with Anti-Flag in Pittsburgh, our bass player at the time got lost and didn't make the show, so Dan [Halen, guitarist and vocalist] and I hummed all the bass lines," says Mallardi.

Comedy aside, Mallardi is confident the Nimrods can still deliver the beer-soaked, freewheeling rock they're known for. "New fans should come for the experience and fun. So should the old fans, for that matter," he says. "The Nimrods always deliver fun." Even if they don't always deliver a bassist.