The original Mr. Big, Eric Martin (vocals), Billy Sheehan(bass), Paul Gilbert (guitar), and Pat Torpey (drums), are reuniting for a tour of Japan. From a popular Heavy Metal radio show in Japan:

“Hello, this is Paul Gilbert, and you are listening to Koh Sakai, on Burrrn presents Heavy Metal Syndicate. Mr. Big is back together. All original members, and we’re coming to Japan to play live. So, come check it out, and rock with us. Yeah!”

(via Metalichicka.wordpress.com)

Update: Feb. 3, 2009

MusicRadar.com posted an interview with Billy Sheehan yesterday:

…the fact that this is now the 20th anniversary of Mr Big’s formation doesn’t escape Sheehan. “I know how it looks,” he says. “Band gets together after 20 years to cash in. It’s like Spinal Tap or something.

“But trust me, we’re in this to play and have a good time. When you consider the amount of rehearsals you have to have with a band, how much time you have to spend together, how many hours you have to sit on planes and backstage and whatever, there’s no amount of money that can make it worthwhile unless you really want to do it.”

As for the animosity that tore the original lineup apart, Sheehan laughs and says, “You know what? I can’t honestly remember who was mad at who. That’s the great thing about getting older: you forget the bad times and remember the good times. And hopefully, this band will have a lot more of the latter.”

Update: Feb. 5, 2009

Via blabbermouth.com, some tour dates:

June 05 – Zepp, Sapporo
June 07 – Zepp, Sendai
June 09 – Kouseinenkin Hall, Kanazawa
June 10 – Zepp, Nagoya
June 12 – Zepp, Fukuoka
June 15 – Grand Cube, Osaka
June 17 – Alsok Hall, Hiroshima
June 18 – Kouseinenkin Hall, Osaka
June 20 – Budokan, Tokyo