Fictional Bands of Film

So we have all seen movies with a band or two in them and wondered why that band didn’t exist. Or maybe you have seen people with a Wyld Stallyns t shirt and wished that you could go buy their album. Well that is fine and dandy but I thought I would put together a list of the best movies about fictional band’s or singers.  Now I had to have certain criteria, so you won’t see Bill and Ted on this list since the movie isn’t about the band, and you won’t see Marvin Berry and the Starlighters either. Just sit back and enjoy another top ten list and hell you get to watch movie clips, what more can you ask for.

10. O Brother, Where Art Thou?

This will probably be the most controversial movie on the list, there was some debate between the woman of the house and myself as to what this movie was really all about. A compromise was sort of met. This movie technically makes the list to keep the Josie and the Pussycats movie off the list, and to the liking of the woman of the house it also keeps Neil Diamond’s The Jazz Singer off of the list. So the reason why I include this movie is that the 3 main characters of the movie are in fact the band The Soggy Bottom Boys.  Plus the movie has no true true plot. It’s one of those road films. Plus the music in the movie is so incredible.  The soundtrack one a Grammy and even though George Clooney didn’t really sing his part; Tim Blake Nelson as Delmar did.  So if you have not seen this movie I highly recommend it.

9. School Of Rock

Again, this is another one that does not necessarily tell the story of a band, but you do get to see a band come together, and again the music in the movie is incredible.  So in the movie you get to watch Jack Black rock with a bunch of kids and teach them life lessons and such.  How can you not enjoy that. Plus the other band in the movie (No Vacancy) they are pretty killer and dress incredibly. If you have not seen School of Rock at least once, you are pretty crazy. The band even appeared on a few late night talk shows even Lawrence was there, and he is the bee’s knees.

8. A Mighty Wind

Ok, I will admit right of the bat, that this is probably one of my least watched movies on the list. I won’t be offended if you have not seen it, but you should. You really should. The movie is about folk singing and Eugene Levy is in it. It is really a movie with a tight knit cast of people who work together often and work well together. Of course the trio to really watch is The Folksmen, and if you don’t know who they really are, then I will not ruin the secret for you. The movie is good, the plot is good. It is a little bit of a jumpy movie, but it is about 3 different groups of people, so you will have that.  All in all if you can stand listening to folk music and you like comedies it is well worth your time.

7. Rock Star

Ok, I don’t usually like to give too much away, but Jennifer Anniston kisses another girl, in one of the craziest drug induced scenes ever. That being said, for not being a real band Steel Dragon rocks pretty hard. Now all the members of the band were real musicians, especially if you count Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.  The plot, well, I won’t give it away but if you know anything about Judas Priest then you know the plot of the movie, of course the writers took a few liberties, ok a lot of liberties, which caused Judas Priest to basically not be interested in the film at all. But it is a great movie and a dream that I have had a million times, now I just need to start a weezer cover band.

6. All You Need is Cash

Oh, you never heard of it? Ok, I don’t entirely blame you, but now you should try to find it. The Movie tells the story of The Rutles.  Ok, now I am confusing you. It’s all a mocking of The Beatles. It is genius and it has so many great comedians in it, plus it has a few great musicians in it, including George Harrison himself. The Beatles didn’t hate it either. Obviously George liked it, and apparently John thought it was hilarious. My understanding is that Paul wasn’t thrilled only because he is just so sensitive; I have no idea what Ringo thought about it. The brain trust behind the whole project was Eric Idle and Neil Innes, Eric Idle you should know from the Monty Python group, and Innes was in the Bonzo Dog Band, and of course worked with the Pythons and made their music for their movies. If you can find this anywhere, I recommend watching it. Especially if you are a Beatles fan.

5. Almost Famous

Of course everyone knows the scene of everybody singing Tiny Dancer. And I hope that you realize that the movie is the semi-autobiographical story of director Cameron Crowe’s life. But the band in the movie; Stillwater, they are a pretty rocking band. Plus the front man is Earl Hickey and you really really gotta love that, right Crabman?  I love this movie and I watch it whenever I see that it is on, but I don’t own it and that is why it did not make it any higher on the list. The movie does make me cry every time that I see it though. And it is always at different scenes. The movie has great characters and you hate them and love them at the same time. Plus Kate Hudson looks great in it. So watch it. Cause I said so, and I am a Golden God

4. Soul Men

Oh, where do I begin? Bernie Mac Samuel L Jackson together on film, together rocking some great music, plus John Legend and that guy from the movie Accepted. So it is a made up story about a band called The Real Deal. They used to back up Marcus Hooks.  But Hooks decided to go at it alone. Think Smokey Robinson or Diana Ross. So now it is like 40 years later and The Real Deal get back together. I really don’t want to ruin all of the fun so I won’t, but seriously it is an incredible movie. Hilarious and the music in it is great. Plus throughout the movie you feel like the two guys have known each other for years. Ok just watch it. Now.

3. That Thing You Do

The Oneders. If you said that “oh- need –ers” on purpose; then I love you, but if you said it that way because you thought that is what it said, then you would understand why they changed it to The Wonders. What can I say, Tom Hanks helped write the music and the movie.  It really is a great idea of what being in a band in the sixties was like. At least the way that I envision it. Plus Steve Zahn is in it. Do you need more?  Giovanni Ribisi is in it plus that guy from Breaking Bad.  Plus I mean the lines in the movie are classic, at least to me. Oh wait I almost forgot, Ron Howard’s brother is in the movie.  Ron Howard’s flipping ugly brother. 

 

2. This Is Spinal Tap

Well this is one of those incredible documentary movies that just take you to 11 right from the beginning. The movie is part of a trilogy actually.  There are parts of the movie that are dark but none more black than the perspective they get in Graceland. I mean this is a band that has been accused of being too sexy; but it’s not their fault that their meat is too big for your bread. But Spinal Tap is such a great movie, and the band, You can’t touch them, don’t even point. In fact I’ve told you enough.

1. The Blues Brothers

The fact that I could do the whole movie word for word right here right now has to mean something to you. John Belushi, Dan Akroyd. Fucking Pee Wee Herman is in this movie. About a million car crashes, Nazis, orange whips, Princess Leia and a band that put out some great albums and made some awesome concerts. What more do you want? So the second movie kind of sucked, but the original, I can’t think of too many musicians that I know that don’t know the movie or were not influenced by it in some way. I love it and have it in 3 formats and watch it whenever I am bored. I am not saying much I know but really if you haven’t seen it, then I don’t know about you.

Ok that’s it 10 great movies about bands that are not real. I hope you enjoy it and let me know if I left anything off, and for the record I have not seen The Commitments, even though woman of the house tells me to.