The Men They Couldn't Hang - (1996-) Reformation

(1996-) Reformation

The band reformed in 1996, but minus drummer Jon Odgers who had become Therapy?'s drum technician. He was replaced by Kenny Harris of cult 80's band the Screaming Blue Messiahs. Their new CD was Never Born To Follow, released on the Demon label in 1996. The following year the band released the mini-album Big Six Pack. Two "Best Of" collections followed Majestic Grill and The Mud, The Blood And The Beer, both in 1998.

The band again withdrew into semi retirement during which Odgers and Simmonds again released new material together (this time under their own names), Baby Fishlips, (originally released under the pseudonym Preacher Jethro Brimstone and the Watermelon Kid) in 1999 and Folk At The Fortress, in 2002.

The band released a brand new CD in 2003 The Cherry Red Jukebox, which most fans agreed was a real return to form. In 2005 the band released two DVDs, Shooting, and 21 Years Of Love And Hate to celebrate 21 years together. This latter was later released as a live double CD Smugglers and Bounty Hunters.

During further breaks from the band Phil "Swill" Odgers released two CDs with his band "The Swaggerband", which includes Ricky McGuire and Jon Odgers, plus lyrical contribution from Paul Simmonds. The Day After, in 2004 and, Elvis Lives Here, on Irregular Records in 2006.

The group continue to play occasional live concerts, their next planned release is an acoustic folk orientated CD, including the reworking of several popular old songs from their back catalogue. On 19 October 2006 the band announced on their web-site titles of five new tracks they are demoing for their new album, "Brixton Hill", "Jam Tomorrow", "Madelaine", "Man In The Subway" and "The Winter Wind". On 31 January 2007 more song titles were announced on their site "Cocaine Housewife", "Love Tomorrow", "Pair Of Shoes", "Lead Me To The Gallows", "Whisky & Wine", "Snow Is Falling" and "Call Me Darling". Although these were originally identified primarily as songs that would appear on the next TMTCH album this was not to be the case. All except "Jam Tomorrow" and "Man In The Subway" subsequently appeared on Paul Simmonds solo country album titled The Rising Road which was released in June 2008.

In January 2007 Paul Simmonds had the book A Bag of Songs published . It features a personal selection of 50 songs with lyrics, chords and commentary.

In March 2007 the band released a new CD through their website Demos & Rarities Volume 1. This album is a collection of rare unreleased TMTCH recordings from the Silvertown and The Domino Club albums.

They released a new CD titled Devil On The Wind on Robb Johnson's label Irregular Records on 1 June 2009 and distributed by Proper. As a prelude to the album the band released a 6 track EP CD Devil On The Wind EP via their website. The EP contains an alternative mixes of Devil On The Wind and Aquamarine plus 4 songs not available on the full album.

On Thursday 8 October 2009, almost 25 years since The Men They Couldn't Hang played their first proper gig in Camden Town at The Electric Ballroom, they returned for the official 25 Year Anniversary Celebration.