The Scene

Reunion on the Horizon for O-Town... Minus One

Published on Monday, September 12 2011
Written by Super User

Boy bands never truly go away -- just ask the members of O-Town.

Before "Popstars" or "American Idol," there was "Making The Band." The show premiered in North America in 2000 and showcased the creation of hit boy band, O-Town.

The band was formed by pop mastermind Lou Pearlman, who would later make headlines for pleading guilty to conspiracy and money laundering. But pop fans will still remember him as the man behind hugely successful bands like the Backstreet Boys, *Nsync, and LFO.

O-Town ultimately consisted of heartthrob Ashley Angel, sweet and sensitive Trevor Penick, bad boy Jacob Underwood, charismatic Erik-Michael Estrada, and soulful Dan Miller. The band went on to have success with three seasons of the MTV show, two top ten singles (the risqué "Liquid Dreams" and syrupy "All or Nothing,") two albums, a live concert DVD, and a lasting place in pop music history. Since the group disbanded in 2003, however, it has been quiet on the O-Town front. Until now, that is...

Rumors about an impending reunion sparked earlier this year, and recently, four of the five members were spotted leaving a recording studio in LA. Absent was fan-favorite Ashley Angel.

Ashley has had moderate success since the band's split, appearing in his own MTV show, "There And Back," touring with Ashlee Simpson, releasing a solo album, and appearing as Link Larkin in Hairspray on Broadway. He said the decision not to return to the group was difficult but "necessary to move on with the next chapter of my career."

The other members of the band are focused on moving forward and have been hard at work in the studio. They hope to have an album out by the end of the year. Their fans are hoping the same thing!

With O-Town reuniting, and the huge success of the NKOTBSB (New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys) summer tour, are boy bands back again?

British band Take That reunited to massive success in 2006, and this year brought back the original line-up with the addition of Robbie Williams. Hip-hop infused boy band, Blue, reunited this past year to represent the United Kingdom at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest. Even classic boy bands are in on the action -- The Monkees began a 45th anniversary tour earlier this year.

What boy bands will be next to reunite? My fingers are crossed for 98°, *Nsync, or BBMak! With current groups like Big Time Rush, One Direction, and JLS, there is obviously a receptive audience for boy bands new and old.

In spite of the critics, boy bands have left a lasting mark on music history. With a new O-Town album on the horizon, boy band fans everywhere have something to look forward to. 

 

- Shannon Boyce, YH Staff