After a staggering 27-year hiatus from releasing studio material, post-hardcore pioneers Shudder to Think have announced their long-awaited comeback, featuring a nationwide fall 2025 tour and their first new music since 1998. The band has disclosed two new tracks, “Thirst Walk” and “Playback,” available on special vinyl that fans can purchase during the tour or pre-order from Dischord Records with a November 7 release date.
The reunion tour marks the band’s first U.S. performances in 17 years, kicking off at Chicago’s Riot Fest on September 19, 2025. Following this festival appearance, the band will initiate an eight-city journey with stops in Boston, Washington D.C., New York City, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles through November 11. Fans can also catch their late-night aftershow at the Cobra Lounge on the same night as their Riot Fest performance. Tickets went on general sale August 22 through Ticketmaster and the band’s direct links, generating significant buzz among longtime followers and newer audiences alike.
The current lineup features original members Craig Wedren on vocals, Nathan Larson on guitar, and Adam Wade on drums, joined by newcomers Clint Walsh on guitar and Jherek Bischoff handling bass duties. This configuration represents a blend of the band’s classic Pony Express Road era personnel with fresh talent, promising to maintain their signature sound while bringing renewed energy to performances. The new tracks will be available across all major streaming platforms, allowing fans worldwide to experience the band’s evolution regardless of their location.
Shudder to Think’s return follows the 30th anniversary celebration of their seminal 1994 album Pony Express Road in 2024, which rekindled interest in the group’s distinctive blend of post-hardcore, art rock, and glam influences. Their last notable musical contribution came with the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack in 1998, after which the band entered an extended period of inactivity, performing only sporadically until 2013. The songwriting process for their new material has been described by Wedren as taking an organic approach to collaboration, with band members sharing ProTools sessions to develop ideas remotely. Guitarist Nathan Larson has reportedly incorporated innovative finger picking techniques that add textural depth to their new compositions.
The intimate venue choices for this tour—including Mercury Lounge in NYC, Black Cat in D.C., and Lodge Room in L.A.—suggest the band is prioritizing connection with fans over larger commercial concerns, reinforcing their status as critical darlings whose impact has always exceeded their commercial footprint.
