Feature: Top 10 Fake Music Bands in a Movie
Critical Critic: sasori | Published on: June 23, 2008 |
Filed under: Feature
It’s been done before, but not by me.
Criteria: No solo acts; no documentaries; movie doesn’t have to be about the band in question.
| 10 |   Movie: Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure Band: Wyld Stallyns Bill S. Preston Esq. (Alex Winters) and Ted “Theodore” Logan (Keanu Reeves), along with their princess girlfriends, the Grim Reaper, and the alien “Station” put together the most influential band in the universe. Their music, which admittedly sucked in the beginning (guitar lessons by Eddie Van Halen helped tremendously), brings peace, harmony and truth to all that embrace it. I’m not sure if it will bring peace to you, but I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of watching it. |
| 9 |  Movie: School of Rock Band: School of Rock This all kid group was the creation of an unemployed loser and wannabe rock-God, Dewey Finn (Jack Black). To realize his goals he connives the kids in his class (he pretends to be a substitute teacher) to form a group and enter a battle of the bands. This movie was the perfect way to capture Jack Blacks insane, over-the-top look-at-me antics. |
| 8 |  Movie: Animal House Band: Otis Day and the Knights These guys tore it up at the famous toga party at the Delta Tau Chi frat house and never looked back. Their two catchy songs, “Shout” and “Shama Lama Ding Dong”, helped them make the jump from fictional band to real one. They continue to tour the country to this day. See this, just because. |
| 7 |  Movie: That Thing You Do! Band: The Wonders These one hit wonders from Eerie Pa, reach the top of the charts with their song “That Thing You Do”. This movie playfully captures how a band can skyrocket to the top with little more than marketing prowess. The song itself is very catchy but it will drive you absolutely mad after hearing it for the 100th time. Oh yeah, Liv Tyler looks great in it too. |
| 6 |  Movie: The Commitments Band: The Commitments A comedy about a North Dublin band that strangely decides to play R&B/soul music. The reasoning? As the groups founder Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) so eloquently puts it, “The Irish are the blacks of Europe. Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland. North Dubliners are the blacks of Dublin.” That line alone should give you an idea what you’re in for with this movie. |
| 5 |  Movie: Rock Star Band: Steel Dragon This movie was based on Judas Priest. It chronicles a small-time singer of a tribute band (played by Mark Wahlberg) as he wades through the excesses of popularity after he replaces the lead singer of his favorite band. Wahlberg really pulls it off – it makes one wonder how he would have faired if would have stayed with the Funky Bunch. |
| 4 |  Movie: Almost Famous Band: Stillwater Writer Cameron Crowe supposedly based this movie off of his time spent with The Allman Brothers while he was reporter for Rolling Stone magazine (although others say there is Led Zeppelin influences). It deftly captures the highs and lows of road life for the band teetering on greatness and for their groupies. |
| 3 |  Movie: The Blues Brothers Band: The Blues Brothers Yeah these guys actually became a real band and played some concerts, but before they did they were an SNL comedy sketch turned hilarious movie. John Belushi and Dan Akroyd became Jake and Elwood Blues, the frontmen for an American blues and soul band on a “mission from God” to save the orphanage where they were raised. Has great sets by Aretha Franklin and Cab Calloway too. A must see. |
| 2 |  Movie: This Is Spinal Tap Band: Spinal Tap I don’t think there is a soul in the world who wasn’t faked out by this one; everyone, and I mean everyone, thought these guys were a real heavy metal band. The movie parodies all that is great with hair metal bands – womanizing, alcohol fueled antics and general idiocy. Very funny. |
| 1 |  Movie: Eddie and the Cruisers Band: Eddie and the Cruisers Great movie about a troubled front man, Eddie Wilson. Michael Paré (whatever happened to him?) shines as the lead singer torn between mainstream stardom and musical integrity. The big standout of the film is the music by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. It is fantastic. So is watching Paré lip-sync to it – you’ll swear he’s tearing his vocal chords out. |
Yes, I know there are ones I missed. Do tell. Please.
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About: sasori When I'm not sleeping, I'm doing something else that closely resembles sleep. |
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Shaun posted a response on: June 24, 2008 | Reply
Few more for you..
Sonic Death Monkey - High Fidelity
The Lone Rangers - Airheads
The Rutles - All You Need is Cash
N.W.H. - Fear of a Black Hat
ChuckE posted a response on: June 24, 2008 | Reply
Justine Bateman kicked some ass in Satisfaction.
miss posted a response on: June 25, 2008 | Reply
representing rap-
CB4
NWH
Klex posted a response on: June 26, 2008 | Reply
Ever hear of Alvin & The Chipmunks or Josie and the Pussycats?
bec posted a response on: June 30, 2008 | Reply
Robbie Hart’s (Adam Sandler) wedding band in The Wedding Singer, including Alexis Arquette (still a man at the time).
The Folksmen in A Mighty Wind actually played their own instruments, and sounded pretty good.
Not that I like The Dreamettes personally, but they deserve mention in Dreamgirls and Beyonce is nice to look at.
In reply to Klex - those are real bands that did movies, so they don’t count.
Francis Torchio posted a response on: June 20, 2009 | Reply
How about the Pinheads from ‘Back to the Future I’?
dbinPhilly posted a response on: June 20, 2009 | Reply
I usually blow these lists off because most of them are made by idiots.
But this list is totally valid.
As someone pointed out, The Ruttles are missing. That was a truly great parody and the songs were absolutely right on. They’d make my top 5.
Other than that, an excellent list.
Cecil posted a response on: June 20, 2009 | Reply
Include the Monkees!
chohbot posted a response on: June 20, 2009 | Reply
Hedwig and the Angry Inch!
agghtea posted a response on: June 23, 2009 | Reply
@Shaun - Yah, Rutles… the SECOND best selling comedy band* after Spinal Tap, and by a country mile - should still be on the list.
* I’m not including Oasis on this list… or Slade
anyone posted a response on: June 23, 2009 | Reply
what about revenge of the nerds
CurtWild posted a response on: June 23, 2009 | Reply
Maxwell Demon and The Rats from Velvet Goldmine!
jabobward posted a response on: June 24, 2009 | Reply
Just a note to Francis Torchio: the reason the Folksmen sound good because they’re the same guys from Spinal Tap.
Chris posted a response on: June 24, 2009 | Reply
Sexual Chocolate from Coming to America?
2Gether
Rob posted a response on: June 27, 2009 | Reply
Ladies and Gentlemen The Fabulous Stains! - The Fabulous Stains.
NewWaveMemories posted a response on: June 28, 2009 | Reply
Hazel O’Connor’s Breaking Glass (1980) is another good movie about its era and bands’ treatment at the time.
JoblessPunk posted a response on: June 30, 2009 | Reply
Detroit Rock City - Mystery
thebeaky posted a response on: July 1, 2009 | Reply
The lesser known Pez People from the Kevin Bacon movie The Big Picture, Words and Music by Michael McKean and Christopher Guest
Performed by Michael McKean (singing) and Christopher Guest
Actors in the band: Michael Jocum, Tim Landers, Martin Lund, Mike Miller and Novi Novog
jm posted a response on: July 3, 2009 | Reply
Staw Wars - the Cantina Band!
Kris posted a response on: July 5, 2009 | Reply
Dude! You totally forgot about Randy Watson and Sexual Chocolate from “Coming to America!”
club penguin cheats posted a response on: July 13, 2009 | Reply
Robbie Hart’s (Adam Sandler) wedding band in The Wedding Singer, including Alexis Arquette (still a man at the time). The Folksmen in A Mighty Wind actually played their own instruments, and sounded pretty good.
George posted a response on: July 16, 2009 | Reply
Ellen Aim and the Attackers in Streets of Fire.
Young Diane Lane - mmmmm mmmm good.
rock posted a response on: July 28, 2009 | Reply
one number best “school of rock” !
Mike posted a response on: September 1, 2009 | Reply
DETROIT ROCK CITY