bands you truly miss

Gonna have to say Morphine.
Was looking forward to a whole lot more good old dirty music from those guys.
Agree with Neutral Milk Hotel, also. Those guys were at least a full decade ahead of their time -- would be great to hear what they sounded like today.

Lush, Joy Division

Not too many are familar with them - but they were excellent - and Tom was one of the first openly gay rockers out there. "Sing if your glad to be gay" was such a great anthem - many a straight man - myself included could be seen singing along. Now that's a endoresment.

Queen

Second Thin Lizzy. Though they still occasionally tour with Gorham and Sykes, TL without Philo is . . . well . . . not Thin Lizzy. He was one of the greatest frontmen to ever prowl a stage, and with him at the helm, Lizzy were one of the best rock bands I've ever heard or seen. Still in the top three of the best shows I've ever been privileged to see.