The Faces are “seriously talking about touring” in the spring, with or without original frontman Rod Stewart.
As reported by Billboard.com, keyboardist Ian McLagan intimated that the band has grown weary of waiting for Stewart to commit to a reunion.
“If we don't do it very soon,” McLagan told Billboard, “one of us is gonna check out. I'm 64, for chrissakes! We've been waiting and waiting for Rod to say yes; now he's finally said no. He's busy doing other shit. So we're gonna do it."
The format of the shows would likely be modeled on a performance staged recently by the band at London’s Royal Albert Hall. That show, staged as part of a charity event, saw surviving members Ron Wood, Kenney Jones, and McLagan teamed with former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman and a variety of guest vocalists.
"I think it's more exciting, actually, with different singers, different bass players, maybe some other guests, another guitarist or whatever," McLagan said. "[Saxophonist] Bobby Keys would probably sit in. It's more adventurous. It won't be the same old shit."
Since Wyman does not like to fly, McLagan’s first choice for bass player would be original Sex Pistols member Glenn Matlock.
“[Glenn] started playing bass because of [late Faces bassist] Ronnie Lane,” explained McLagan. “He knows all his licks and really appreciates him as a bass player."
McLagan went on to say that Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall is on the short-list of guest vocalists, but that he and his Faces ‘mates will likely approach other singers as well. He also hinted that the door remains open for Stewart, who’s currently making plans to tour behind his new Soulbook album.
“… it would be much better to have [Stewart] with us,” McLagan said. “[I’m] open either way. I just want to play."