- 8 hours ago
Turn it up to eleven! Join us as we count down our picks for the greatest fictional bands to ever rock the silver screen! From mockumentary metal legends to bodacious time travelers, these musical acts have us wishing they were real. Which movie band had you air-guitaring along with their fictional hits?
Category
π₯
Short filmTranscript
00:00Watch out, cause here we come. It's been a while, but we're back with Zion.
00:05Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for those musical acts that we desperately wish were real,
00:13and not just products of the silver screen.
00:17And you, my love, won't you take my hand?
00:24Number 20. Huntrix and Saja Boys, K-Pop Demon Hunters.
00:30The Saja Boys will sit with us.
00:32What?
00:32What are you doing?
00:34Genius.
00:34Huh?
00:35Same table.
00:37It doesn't really matter whether you're an actual fan of K-Pop music,
00:40because you're going to be singing these songs by the time K-Pop Demon Hunters rolls its final credits.
00:46Huntrix and Saja Boys both embody a near-perfect amalgam of infectious, maddeningly effective pop songwriting,
00:53to the point where we feel both groups deserve attention on our list.
00:57And sure, the Saja Boys may be demons, but don't they say that the devils have all the best tunes?
01:09Elsewhere, the music of Huntrix is as positive and uplifting as it is impressive.
01:14Repeated listens just underline how challenging it must be for songwriters to come up with melodies this freaking catchy.
01:21I broke into a million pieces, and I can't go back, but now I'm seeing all the beauty in the broken glass.
01:30Number 19. The Ruttles.
01:33The Ruttles, all you need is cash.
01:36Ouch! You're breaking my heart.
01:38Ouch! I'm falling apart.
01:41Ouch! Pow! Pow! Pow!
01:43Pow!
01:43Pow!
01:44Isn't it great that parody is protected speech?
01:47Otherwise, we might not have ever received the Ruttles movie All You Need Is Cash.
01:53Songwriter Neil Innes was no stranger to writing pastiches of popular musical trends since his group,
01:59the Bonzo Dog Doodah Band, were an anarchic force for parodic musical chaos.
02:05The Ruttles were a creation of both Innes and Monty Python member Eric Idle,
02:10a gloriously spot-on parody of the Beatles in both style and song.
02:22Tunes like Ouch! and Hold My Hand can be enjoyed by both die-hard Beatles devotees and casual classic rock fans alike.
02:30These songs are satirically silly in the best possible way.
02:35I got the middle, baby in the middle, whoa.
02:43Number 18. CB4. CB4.
02:48Ah! Look at that!
02:49It's my first drive-by.
02:52The rise of hip-hop during the 1980s and 90s essentially meant that the genre would, eventually anyway, become ripe for parody.
02:59CB4 and Fear of a Black Hat were two mockumentaries that were released in 1993 and featured fake hip-hop groups.
03:06Both films are great, but it's CB4 that features Chris Rock amongst its cast, so we just gotta go with that one for our next pick.
03:13The film highlights specifically how gangster rap took commercial dominance during this era of hip-hop's evolution, but also never fails to be uproariously funny.
03:32Songs like Straight Out of Low Cash poke fun at genre legends like N.W.A., but do so with a loving sentiment of homage.
03:40The true story of Judas Priest tribute vocalist Tim Ripper Owens joining his favorite band served as the basis for this fictional 2001 film.
03:55Steel Dragon was made up of some real-life musicians including Jeff Pilsen of Dokken and Zach Wilde from Ozzy Osbourne's band.
04:14This lent an air of authenticity to the cinematic proceedings at hand.
04:19While the actual tunes in Rockstar feature more musical luminaries in the compositional departments, Sammy Hagar, Desmond Childe, and even Twiggy Ramirez from Marilyn Manson are credited as songwriters,
04:40while Steel Dragon grab all of that on-screen heavy metal glory.
04:53Number 16. The Kelly Affair slash The Carey Nations. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
05:01This is my happening and it freaks me out.
05:03Oh, it's a stone gas, man.
05:05Writer-director Russ Meyer was infamous for his boundary-pushing exercises of shameless sexuality and exploitative nudity.
05:12Beyond the Valley of the Dolls was perhaps his most successful commercial crossover, thanks in part to a script by famous film critic Roger Ebert.
05:20The Carey Nations, initially the Kelly Affair, are the fictional band of beauties at the center of the film.
05:26A poppy power trio with psychedelic leanings that fit perfectly into this world of freak-outs.
05:32Seems you've had a bad affair.
05:38The actual vocalist behind Dolly Reid's Kelly McNamara was Lynn Carey, a ferocious soul singer whose group Mama Lion delivered the howling mad rock goods in real life.
05:56Number 15. Vigran Dan and the Modal Nodes. Star Wars Episode IV, A New Hope.
06:03It was the scene that launched a thousand sci-fi parodies, while at the same time making it cool for groups to rock in outer space.
06:16Vigran Dan and the Modal Nodes were the band responsible for delivering that classic cantina theme in the original Star Wars.
06:23It's an immediately memorable tune that's still part of the franchise's fan zeitgeist to this day.
06:36And who can blame them? There's so much imagination put into the cantina scene.
06:41And the look of Vigran Dan and his group immediately sets up questions and theories about how long they've been playing, where they gig, and how well it pays.
06:49Number 14. Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. The Muppet Movie.
07:00Everybody's lover, everybody's brother, I wanna be your lifetime friends. Crazy as a rocket, nothing in my pocket, I keep it in the rainbows land.
07:08Never has a fictional band of puppet musicians rocked so hard.
07:13Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem aren't just a one-trick pony of heavy psychedelic rock, however, but instead are able to play just about any style of music.
07:23It's all about the various personalities within the band, however, from the chic coolness of guitarist Janice to Sgt. Floyd Pepper's rock-solid rhythm on the bass.
07:34Jelly belly giggling, dancing in a wiggle, honey, that's the way I am.
07:38Meanwhile, frontman Dr. Teeth is a not-so-subtle take on funk rock icon Dr. John.
07:44And Animal is⦠well⦠an animal.
07:47He's a prototypical rock drumming maniac whose boundless enthusiasm and unstoppable groove anchors the Electric Mayhem on every song.
07:56Ah yeah!
07:57Ha ha ha!
07:59Ha ha ha!
08:00Ha ha ha!
08:05Ha ha ha ha!
08:06Ha ha ha ha!
08:08Number 13.
08:10Death Clock.
08:11Metalocalypse.
08:12Army.
08:13Of the Doomstar.
08:14Do you folks like coffee?
08:18Real coffee from the hills of Columbia.
08:23Does it even really matter if the average viewer of Metalocalypse manages to catch all of the obscure references present within the series?
08:32Not particularly, because the ultra-violent shenanigans of Death Clock manage to endure and transcend the Adult Swim origins to become a full-length direct-to-video movie.
08:43Metalocalypse, Army of the Doomstar, basically serves as a satisfying coda to Death Clock's journey of metallic carnage.
09:00From composing coffee jingles to saving the whole damn world, they've also toured under the physical guide of their creator, Brendan Small.
09:09Death Clock has done it all, while always staying, to quote frontman Nathan Explosion, brutal.
09:2412. Josie and the Pussycats
09:28Josie and the Pussycats
09:30One of the best aspects of the 2001 Josie and the Pussycats film is how its screenplay feels totally in on the joke.
09:44It's not so much that directors Harry Elfant and Debra Kaplan are actively distancing themselves from Josie's Archie Comics origins, rather, they play around with the established perils of the music industry in a manner that feels loose and fun.
09:59Oh, and it also helps that the accompanying soundtrack to Josie and the Pussycats also ties into the original, fictional group's bubblegum pop sound.
10:17Tunes like Pretend to be Nice retain this feeling and vibe, while also being updated for the new millennium.
10:23Why do you do what you do to me, baby?
10:26You're shaking my confidence, driving me crazy.
10:3011. School of Rock
10:32School of Rock
10:34Jack Black's love of music has been well-documented at this point, along with the actor's ability to easily adapt said love into some hilarious moments.
10:59School of Rock hit screens early on after Black saw breakout success in 2000's High Fidelity, and builds nicely upon his natural charisma.
11:07You know what? You don't have to worry about me because I'm a hard ass, and if a kid gets out of line, I got no problem smacking him in the head.
11:13No, no, no, we don't use corporal punishment here.
11:17Okay, so just verbal abuse?
11:19The character of Dewey Finn is a dyed-in-the-wool rocker, and manages to bring together a group of kids to form a new cohesive band.
11:27The end results aren't just passable, but legitimately heartwarming, as Finn and his students rock the battle of the bands.
11:35Today's assignment.
11:38He's the man!
11:41And if you want to be a teacher to stand,
11:45Well, baby, you just better forget it.
11:49Number 10. The Commitments. The Commitments.
11:53Into each heart, some cheers must hold.
11:57Though you love and lose, you must stand tall.
12:03One could say that they are the world's hardest working band.
12:08The titular group, In The Commitments, adapted from Roddy Doyle's novel,
12:12are a bunch of blue-collar Dubliners who don't sound like your typical bunch of blue-collar Dubliners.
12:18You and me.
12:22At the dark end of the street.
12:27You and me.
12:30When you think of bluesy Irish renditions, covers of mainstream soul classics probably aren't the first thing that comes to mind.
12:37But the Commitments have plenty of it.
12:39Enough for a West End musical adaptation in 2013, launching the careers of Maria Doyle Kennedy, Glenn Hansard, and others.
12:47The film itself remains a sing-along sensation.
12:50When the love begins to shine.
12:53Just you and I.
12:56Just you and I.
12:58Just you and I.
13:00Yeah.
13:01Number 9. Marvin Berry and the Starlighters. Back to the Future.
13:06Back to the Future.
13:21Who could forget the Enchantment Under the Sea dance when Marty McFly invented hard rock in the 1950s?
13:28Back to the Future culminates with him sneaking onto guitar with Marvin Berry and the Starlighters, who are not only noteworthy for their brilliant cover of Earth Angel.
13:37Earth Angel, Earth Angel, will you be mine?
13:46The dance really gets hoppin' with the introduction of a genre that Marvin just had to share with his cousin Chuck.
13:52Would Johnny B. Good even exist if it weren't for Marty?
13:56This is one of the heavier quandaries with time travel.
14:00Chuck! Chuck! It's Marvin! Your cousin Marvin Berry!
14:06You know that new sound you're looking for?
14:09Well, listen to this!
14:17Number 8. Robbie Hart, The Wedding Singer.
14:21For a day. Celebrate.
14:29The eponymous wedding singer and his band contribute many of this classic romcom's unforgettable moments for newlywed couples.
14:37The playlist includes intoxicated renditions of Madonna's Holiday and, of course, the Jay Giles band's Love Stinks.
14:44Hey, I hate you.
14:45I've had the blues, the reds and the pinks.
14:50One thing's for sure.
14:53Love Stinks?
14:55Love Stinks!
14:57Robbie Hart's band is so hilariously, believably 80s that it's easy to forget the movie was filmed over a decade later.
15:04You'll fall in love with Adam Sandler's comedic and musical chops, but don't discount killer guest spots like the Boy George look-alike keyboardist and rapping granny Ellen Dow's collab with the Sugar Hill Gang.
15:16And hip hop, a hippie to the hippie to the hip hip hop.
15:19You don't stop the rockin' to the bang bang booty, they up jump the booty to the rhythm of the booty the beat.
15:24Number 7. Sex Ba-Bomb, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
15:29Here's a band as fantastical as the comic book love story in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
15:36Their name sleazily referencing a Super Mario character, Sex Ba-Bomb is one of those lo-fi crunch groups whose delightfully adolescent lyrics would cater perfectly to a cult following.
15:57It's no surprise that the songs are so catchy, as they were written by alt-rock hero Beck.
16:19He also coached up the cast members to ensure an authentic indie rock vibe, with enough bass to perfectly cue up Scott's epic battles for love.
16:29Kim!
16:30We are Sex Ba-Bomb and we are here to watch Scott Pilgrim kick your teeth in!
16:34One, two, three, four!
16:44Number 6. Barry Jive and the Uptown Five.
16:48High Fidelity.
16:49Previously known as Sonic Death Monkey, Kathleen Turner Overdrive and Barrytown, this band in the making debuts in the third act of High Fidelity.
17:10And to everyone's surprise, they actually sound amazing.
17:13Well, it's no surprise to the Jack Black fans watching.
17:16There's nothing wrong with me loving you, baby, na-na-na.
17:26Barry Jive and his Uptown Five's inclusion in this captivating film about love, loss, and the power of music is almost a send-up of the comedy-drama genre.
17:36It's a chaotic mix of elements that work together to complement a satisfying resolution for Barry and everyone else in this classic.
17:43The making of a great compilation tape like Breaking Up is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might seem.
17:53You gotta kick it off with a killer to grab attention. Then you gotta take it up a notch.
17:58But you don't wanna blow your wad, so then you gotta cool it off a notch. There are a lot of rules. Anyway.
18:055. The Blues Brothers
18:08The Blues Brothers
18:10Arguably one of the most beloved musical comedies of all time, John Landis' The Blues Brothers also showcases one of the best fictional groups ever to hit the big screen.
18:26The duo of the same name are an R&B tour de force, with a mix of the best parts of rock, jazz, soul, and, of course, old-fashioned blues.
18:46Hey, what are you gonna do? They've got the threads, they got the soul, and they got the moves.
18:51And with a dynamo band behind them, the Blues Brothers are sure to save the day.
18:56Walk through a party in a counter-jail. Prison now was there, they began to wear.
19:01The band was jumping and the joint began to swing.
19:04You shoulda heard there's knock, knock, jail, but sing, let's rock.
19:08Number 4. The Wonders. That Thing You Do.
19:121, 2, 3, 4. That's too fast, guys. Slow down. Come on. Come on. Slow down. It's fast. Slow it down.
19:19No, they're not the Oneiders. They're the Wonders, and they're heading up Tom Hanks' excellent directorial debut, That Thing You Do.
19:34Half Beatles, half Beach Boys, and all youthful soul.
19:37The band embody the very particular cultural era of the mid-1960s.
19:42We're even treated to some catchy 60s-style tunes, and many of those from the movie written by Hanks himself.
19:58The actors played their own instruments and recorded a few songs, including Dance With Me Tonight and the movie's title track.
20:04It's a tough ride to start them, but The Wonders' Feel Good Pop is a wonderful fit for this feel-good flick.
20:09Quiet down. I'm trying to hear it.
20:23Number 3. Stillwater. Almost Famous.
20:26Make sure you refer to them as fake in terms of fiction, not coolness.
20:39Charting the rise of the Detroit hard rock band Stillwater in 1973.
20:44Almost Famous takes a hard look at touring and how the often chaotic life of sex, drugs, and rock and roll can take its toll.
20:51At times, the film is fun, and at others, deeply contemplative.
20:54But Stillwater's music boasts the most authentic 70s rock vibe, thanks to veteran songwriter Gordon Kenny.
21:00The futuristic fusion of rock stars like vocalist Marty Fredrickson, Peter Frampton, and Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready defines the perfect sound to reintroduce the 21st century to true rock.
21:23Number 2. Wild Stallions. Bill & Ted Franchise.
21:35Maybe it's time we get Eddie Van Halen. Maybe we should start learning how to play. Maybe you're right, Ted.
21:44If the Wild Stallions ever hope to literally save the world with rock and roll, they'll have to pass their history exam, travel through time, and defeat death himself.
21:54Even then, it wasn't until 2020 when Bill & Ted delivered their masterpiece with the help from their daughters and the greatest musicians through time.
22:03The quintessential daydreaming metalheads might not qualify as such otherwise.
22:19Still, their band is a bodacious tribute to every high schooler who ever air-guitared their way through a boring class.
22:26Whatever will become of the universe in real life. At least Wild Stallions taught us toβ¦
22:31Party on, dudes!
22:33No way!
22:47Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
22:50The Soggy Bottom Boys.
22:52Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
22:54George Clooney & Company mime, Man of Constant Sorrow.
22:57I'll meet you home, God's Gordon Shore.
23:03He'll meet you home, God's Gordon Shore.
23:09Crucial Taunt.
23:10Wayne's World.
23:11Tia Carrere feels like a legitimate rock star.
23:14I see a man at the back, it's a matter of fact, his eyes are as red as the sun.
23:19And a girl in the corner letting know and ignore, cause she thinks she's the passionate one.
23:24Oh yeah!
23:25Blues Hammer.
23:27Ghost World.
23:28Not-so-traditional blues delivered in the style of a hard rock band.
23:32You stop and prowin'
23:37I'm taking cotton all day long.
23:42Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
23:45Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
23:47Neo-glam rock for a new millennium.
23:50And then fire.
23:52Shot down from the sky in bumps
23:56Like shining blades of the night.
23:58Four Town. Turning Red.
24:01A banger boy band pastiche.
24:03Spinal Tap.
24:28This is Spinal Tap.
24:32Tiny Stonehenge monuments.
24:44Amps that go to eleven.
24:46Eyebrow raising songs.
24:48Spinal Tap is number one on our list because they're responsible for elevating the mockumentary
24:53to unprecedented levels of absurdity, hilarity, and awkwardness.
25:09Rob Reiner's This is Spinal Tap follows the titular band lamenting the deaths of former members, discussing their guitar collection, or developing a lighthearted musical about Jack the Ripper.
25:21Saucy Jack.
25:22Saucy Jack.
25:23Now is the time to do that.
25:24Saucy Jack.
25:25You're a naughty one.
25:26Saucy Jack.
25:27You're a haughty one.
25:28Saucy Jack.
25:29Right.
25:30They've taken their own place in pop culture history and released hit stand-alone albums.
25:35Over forty years later, the release of The End Continues confirms Spinal Tap is a prime example of why we can't get enough of fictional movie bands.
25:45I mean a band ΠΏΡΠΈΠΊas Ρ them breaking apart and coming back together.
25:49But the more we retreat into the music, the nicer things become.
25:54Wow!
25:55Not to be profound or anything.
25:57And it would be the first time for me.
26:00What, to you, makes a great fake band?
26:02Let us know in the comments.
Be the first to comment