“Good luck, 2014.” I find myself saying this every time we get another piece of shocking news. The Replacements reunion? New music from the Pixies? Another Dismemberment Plan album? Neutral Milk Hotel? The Postal Service? The Kids in the Hall? Mr. Show? Dave Chappelle? Actual, physical, tangible albums by Bowie, My Bloody Valentine, Daft Punk, and Boards of Canada? Trent Reznor’s return to Nine Inch Nails? It’s The Year of Demystification, where all of modern music’s myths are taken out back and, well, you get the image. It’s where fantasies become reality, leaving some of us to legitimately wonder if we’re in some sort of Inception-style situation.
So, what say you, 2014? What do you have in store? What could possibly measure up to this year’s insanity? Well, considering there are still five more months left in 2013, plenty of time to keep us in cardiac arrest, it’s a little too early to tell. But, what the hell, we decided to speculate regardless, and because reunions offer the best surprises, we assembled a list of 20 acts that could come together once again next year. They’re not all OMFG-worthy, but a handful might leave you SkyMiles-less and vulnerable to your credit card. One can only hope, right?
–Michael Roffman
President/Editor-in-Chief
Sleater-Kinney
Last Seen: 2006
OMFG Rating: 7.4
After the 2005 release of the roaring The Woods, Sleater-Kinney announced an indefinite hiatus. In retrospect, that album stands as a magnificent swan song, the epitome of their inventive guitar work, intricate songwriting, and furious energy. There were no signs of trouble, no one saw that announcement coming, and the shock still hasn’t quite worn off. Since then, Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss have been tearing things up with Wild Flag, while Corin Tucker flexes her solo muscles. Back in 2010, Brownstein claimed that Sleater-Kinney would reunite within the next five years, even reaffirming that statement in interviews a couple of years later. Well, the clock is ticking. –Adam Kivel
Gnarls Barkley
Last Seen: 2009
OMFG Rating: 6.5
It’s been years since Cee-Lo Green and Danger Mouse have teamed up together, and if The Voice judge is to be believed, it’s because the producer has been strictly in the lab since the duo last reunited. “I got to get Danger Mouse out of the house,” Cee-Lo told VIBE earlier this year. But the two do expect to record again, which, for anyone still jamming “Transformer” (as you should be), is fantastic news. Logistics might get in the way with a Goodie Mob reunion and, of course, The Voice to contend with, but the psycho-soul that the Odd Couple nailed on their first two records is worth navigating busy schedules. –Chris Bosman
Bikini Kill
Last Seen: 1997
OMFG Rating: 6.6
In an age where Pussy Riot’s making worldwide headlines and new female-led acts like Savages reign critically, it would be fitting to see a return by Bikini Kill. Here’s the problem: While both Billy Karren and Tobi Vail are busying themselves with music and various projects in and around the Pacific Northwest, singer Kathleen Hanna and bassist Kathi Wilcox have gone ahead and formed The Julie Ruin, with plans for a debut album out in September. So, the chances of seeing the four together next year are nary to slim, though, didn’t Reznor have time for NIN and his side projects this year? If only everyone were great at multi-tasking. –Michael Roffman
Alternative TV
Last Seen: 1998
OMFG Rating: 6.7
Mark Perry’s UK post-punk outfit Alternative TV tossed and turned through a number of lineups during its scattered history. (Seriously, scroll through their “Past members” section on Wikipedia for a good laugh.) Since the ’80s, however, the former Sniffin’ Glue founder’s been the only constant presence under the moniker. That should change. Like now. With so many of today’s acts drawing influence — Parquet Courts, for example — it would behoove Perry to bring Alternative TV back to the limelight, especially with festivals like Riot Fest and ATP going on. Word of advice? Pick up the phone and call Alex Fergusson or Chris Bennett. Jools Holland, too. –Michael Roffman
Hüsker Dü
Last Seen: 1988
OMFG Rating: 10
To be fair, Bob Mould has no use for a Hüsker Dü reunion. He’s touring in style alongside bassist Jason Narducy and drummer Jon Wurster and supporting one of his best albums in years (2012’s Silver Age). Grant Hart’s got it good, too, having just released his fourth studio album, The Argument, to acclaim. And then there’s Greg Norton, who’s found success in the culinary arts and remains busy with his own personal music projects. So, why fuck that up? Because people feel the need to satiate their nostalgic cravings; a less cynical answer points to the sea of young fans that have grown up worshiping Zen Arcade. Besides, don’t tell me you wouldn’t pee your pants seeing Hüsker Dü on a lineup poster. Gimme a break. –Michael Roffman
Electronic
Last Seen: 1999
OMFG Rating: 6
Earlier this month, New Order frontman Bernard Sumner joined Johnny Marr onstage for an “impromptu reunion” of their late ’80s and early ’90s super group, Electronic. They only played a song, but it was enough to remind the blogosphere of their collaborative years together, which at one point involved Kraftwerk’s Karl Bartos and Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. With a new album on the way from New Order and Marr still supporting his solo debut, it’s unlikely either would jump ship from their current endeavors, but it’s always an option. Maybe a one-off? –Michael Roffman
Slowdive
Last Seen: 1995
OMFG Rating: 7
Between the finally realized new My Bloody Valentine album, the Medicine reunion, and the 20th anniversary of the band’s 1993 masterpiece, Souvlaki, would it really be a shock for Slowdive to get in on the action? No, it wouldn’t be. Neil Halstead even addressed the topic in a 2012 interview with Stereogum, conceding that “it’s definitely possible at some point.” It’s been 18 years since the band called it a day after 1995’s criminally underappreciated Pygmalion, but Halstead continued recording with bandmate (and former lover) Rachel Goswell in Mojave 3, who haven’t released new material since 2006. Maybe it’s time for the Pygmalion follow-up that never was. –Zach Schonfeld
Uncle Tupelo
Last Seen: 1995
OMFG Rating: 8
Tension between bandmates Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy reached a boiling point during 1994’s Anodyne. Although Farrar was once considered the stronger of the songwriting duo, Tweedy gradually surpassed him, taking what remained of Uncle Tupelo after the breakup to form some band named Wilco soon after. Farrar also found success (albeit unequal) with alt-country troubadours Son Volt. A reunion would excite the throngs of fans yearning for the days of drinking, coal mining, and factory songs. They left behind a fairly flawless record collection, and to see Farrar on guitar and Tweedy on bass reuniting for “Graveyard Shift” after 20 years? Well, that would be a sight for bloodshot eyes. –Justin Gerber
Sneaker Pimps
Last Seen: 2005
OMFG Rating: 4 (7, with Kelli Ali)
Sneaker Pimps were one of the best groups associated with trip-hop thanks to their stellar debut, Becoming X, and hit singles “6 Underground” and “Spin Spin Sugar”. Following a world tour in support of the album, however, the band decided to go in a different musical direction, which did not include vocalist Kelli Dayton. Following two albums that were not as well received as their debut, a fourth Sneaker Pimps album was demoed but never released. Will it ever be? Hard to say. Dayton went solo as Kelli Ali, Chris Corner is currently on tour as IAMX, and Liam Howe has been producing and writing for artists such as Lana Del Rey and Marina and the Diamonds. 2014 will be the 20th anniversary of the band’s formation, so it’s a perfect time to finally release that album and go on a reunion tour. Relations with Kelli Ali are reportedly still strained, but if the band were to ever reunite, it just would not be the same without the voice behind Becoming X. –Frank Mojica
Pink Floyd
Last Seen: 2005
OMFG Rating: A floating pig over the smokestacks. So, a 15.
Unless Bob Geldoff works his magic, it’s unlikely this will ever happen. In 2005, the man who played Pink Floyd himself somehow brought then surviving members David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright together at Live 8 for a five-song set. Following Wright’s tragic 2008 death, the closest we’ve seen to a Floyd reunion was in 2011 when Gilmour and Mason joined Waters onstage during his blockbuster tour for The Wall. Since then, Gilmour’s been comfortably numb to the idea of a reunion and fans have been wearing the inside out of the band’s ensuing box sets. Is there anybody out there? Just hope. –Michael Roffman
