“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
Pedro the Lion
Last Seen: 2006
OMFG Rating: 3
The last time I caught Pedro the Lion live I was living the life of Cheers’ Sam Malone, where I idiotically ended up inviting two dates to the same event. The venue was two floors, and although both of the women had seen each other, I still tried to play it off like I was on two separate dates, where one was upstairs and the other downstairs. It failed miserably, and I was totally walking out the door trying to explain myself as David Bazan started up “Indian Summer”. So, while I’m not running to see them again, it’d be nice to see them under different circumstances. Considering Bazan’s latest outfit Overseas only recently put out their debut, the odds of that happening anytime soon are about as slim as me trying to date ever again. –Michael Roffman
Whiskeytown
Last Seen: 2001
OMFG Rating: 7.6
For years, Ryan Adams’ career was marred with the tortured genius stereotype. A prodigiously talented and prolific songwriter who often found it hard to play nice with others, Adams’ bratty bad boy ways often got the best of his efforts in Whiskeytown, ultimately leading to the band’s demise in 2000. Adams’ newfound sobriety and clarity suggest his brash, insolent ways are behind him, but it still seems beyond the realm of reason to think he’d have much of a want or need to venture back to square one. –Ryan Bray
The Runaways
Last Seen: 1979
OMFG Rating: 9.1
If Joan Jett could slip away from her Blackhearts, this could happen. Of course, Cherie Currie would have to put down the chainsaw (she carves wood), Micki Steele would have to pick up the bass again, and Lita Ford, well, she’s already down for the idea. Just last year she told Rolling Stone: “I talked to [Cherie] about a reunion, and I talked to Joan about a reunion. I don’t know how Joan feels about it. I couldn’t really get a solid answer from her. But I just wanted her to know that I’m here for her, and if she decides she wants to put together the Runaways again, I would be in 100 percent.” Who would replace the late (and fabulous) Sandy West? There’s always a pal in The Donnas’ Amy Cesari. Make it happen, Joan. –Michael Roffman
L7
Last Seen: 2001
OMFG Rating: 5.3
“L7 are on an indefinite hiatus. We know that’s vague, but that’s just the way it is. The future of the band is a bit up in the air at the moment.” According to Wikipedia, that used to be on their website, which has since been replaced with nostalgic items like Remember When photos and a bio that’s written mostly in the past tense. So yeah, they’re done, despite having an active official Facebook page, something that didn’t even exist when they were around. Whatever the case, vocalist Donita Sparks could use the reunion, as her solo career spawned an amicable (if not forgettable) 2008 album, and having L7 as a lower mid-tier act would add some pieces of flair to any lineup. –Michael Roffman
NWA
Last Seen: 1999 (sort of)
OMFG Rating: 8 Ball
What if Ice Cube took a break from the silver screen, Dre put down the Dr. Pepper, and a divine power resurrected true O.G. Eazy-E from that ‘64 Impala parking space in the sky? Just imagine it, the westside gangsta reunion never meant to be! N.W.A. was a wrecking ball – powered by street knowledge — with enough strength to tear down Reagan’s wall of conservative values. Their records taught an entire generation — be it The Game, Kendrick Lamar, or a host of sheltered suburban kids – to stop saying no and just do their own thang. The country is once again grappling with a power hungry executive branch and could stand to glean some attitude from another gathering of the 80’s most influential rap outfit. So pour some out, think about the undeserved authority figures in your life, and give props to the original thugs of hip-hop. –Dan Pfleegor
Operation Ivy
Last Seen: 1989
OMFG Rating: 10.4
All we know is that we don’t know nothing. That’s been the saying for years, and it seemed like it would be that way forever until recently. That is, when Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong and current painter Jesse Michaels reunited for a recent single, “Living in a Dangerous Land”. It wasn’t under the Operation Ivy moniker — instead, part of the Tim Timebomb and Friends singles series — but that didn’t stop the blogosphere shouting for a reunion, especially from this site’s CEO/Publisher. Both Armstrong and Michaels have been hesitant in past years, but admittedly, this single has us wondering, One of these days… –Michael Roffman
