Biography
The breakthrough of acts such as the Killers, Interpol, and Franz Ferdinand in 2005 prompted former Cars guitarist Elliot Easton and keyboardist Greg Hawkes to consider reassembling the group. With numerous '80s-styled tracks climbing the pop charts, the pair contacted the remaining original members, David Robinson and Ric Ocasek; Benjamin Orr, the fifth member, had succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2000. Both Robinson and Ocasek declined involvement, apparently ending the prospect. Easton then floated the name of his longtime acquaintance Todd Rundgren. Although Hawkes doubted the rock maverick would agree, Rundgren accepted at once with genuine enthusiasm. He recruited two prior collaborators: bassist Kasim Sulton, formerly of Utopia, and drummer Prairie Prince, ex of the Tubes. The musicians convened for clandestine rehearsals before playing several West Coast club engagements in early 2006. A portion of the new yet stylistically faithful track "Not Tonight" soon surfaced online. Subsequent late-night television spots built anticipation for a spring/summer co-headlining tour alongside Blondie. As that tour began, the New Cars issued their debut full-length recording, It's Alive, comprising live renditions of earlier Cars material captured during the West Coast dates together with "Not Tonight" and two additional studio tracks offered as bonuses.
Albums
