freeanddetached (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} freeanddetached) wrote in ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} ohnotheydidnt,@ 2008-08-19 22:47:00 |
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Best Fake Music Groups
The Rocker tells the story of Robert "Fish" Fishman, the drummer who was fired from '80s hair band Vesuvius right before they hit it big. Now he's chasing the dream again in his nephew's garage band. So if, like Fish, you rock 'n' roll all night and party every day, check out this gallery of some of the greatest fictional groups in movies. And this list goes all the way to 11.
Dewey Cox - WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY
Like many great musicians, Dewey Cox's early years were marred by tragedy -- specifically, he cut his brother in half with a machete. But he overcame adversity by playing the blues. Then he played R&B, and then rock n' roll. Then folk, punk, psychedelic, disco and rap. Along the way he overcame numerous addictions, married several women, and fathered countless children. Through it all, he lived, loved, and walked as hard as any non-fictional rocker ever has.
Stillwater - ALMOST FAMOUS
1973 saw this band explode onto the scene with its incendiary single "Fever Dog." As they crossed the country on their "Almost Famous" tour, lead singer Jeff Bebe clashed with guitarist Russell Hammond, whose talent began to overshadow his bandmates. The drama on-stage and off was captured in a "Rolling Stone" cover story by 15-year-old reporter William Miller, including Hammond's affair with legendary "Band Aid," Penny Lane.
The Dreams - DREAMGIRLS
Merely being backup singers -- even for a performer as electric as James "Thunder" Early -- was not going to be enough for the dynamic trio originally known as "The Dreamettes." But when manager Curtis Taylor Jr. installed Deena Jones as the lead of the new standalone group, the talented Effie White was relegated to a background role. Tensions mounted, and soon Effie was forced out by Curtis (who wasn't aware that she was carrying his child). As Deena's star rose, Effie struggled to get by. When Deena discovered the Curtis' efforts to suppress Effie's comeback single, the Dreams eventually get back together for one final performance.
The Soggy Bottom Boys - O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?
When the Soggy Bottom Boys' first single, "Man of Constant Sorrow," became a hit, little was known about the group. And that was how they wanted it, seeing as how the three singers were all fugitives from a chain gang. Ulysses Everett McGill and backup singers Pete and Delmar had a signature "old timey" sound that caused a sensation. When the band's identity was revealed during a surprise appearance at a political rally, Governor "Pappy" O'Daniel not only pardoned the escapees, but promised them positions in his administration. Which made them three of the smartest and most reputable politicians in the state's history.
The School of Rock - SCHOOL OF ROCK
Steeped in controversy, this band was formed by singer/guitarist Dewey Finn when he pretended to be a licensed substitute teacher at the prestigious Horace Green Elementary prep school. But the time he spent teaching his students about AC/DC rather than their ABCs paid off when the band became the surprise fan favorite at a local Battle of the Bands. The attention allowed Finn to create a legitimate rock music school where parents would actually know what it was their kids were studying.
The Wonders – THAT THING YOU DO!
Coming out of Erie, PA, The Wonders (or "Oneders," as they were originally known) burst onto the scene after drummer Guy Patterson unintentionally turned frontman Jimmy Mattingly's ballad "That Thing You Do" into an up-tempo dance hit. Signed to Playtone Records, the band toured in the summer of '64 as their single shot up into Billboard's Top 10. But just as quickly, the band disintegrated, never to release a second song. Mattingly did find success after with his follow-up band, The Heardsmen.
The Commitments - THE COMMITMENTS
Jimmy Rabbitte was a young man with a dream: to assemble a great American soul band. The only problem was he lived in North Dublin, Ireland. Still, he was able to find a veteran pro, trumpeter Joey "The Lips" Fagan; a charismatic front man, 16-year-old Deco Cuffe; and a trio of attractive backup singers to fill out his 10-piece roster. Of course, putting a band together is one thing; keeping it together can be nearly impossible. But for a time, "The Hardest Working Band in the World" brought a little Memphis and Motown to the Emerald Isle.
Eddie and the Cruisers - EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS
There is a certain breed of music lover who can still tell you where they were when they first heard that Eddie Wilson had driven his car off a bridge. The New Jersey native and his band hit it big in the early 1960s with a sound unlike anything else at the time -- in fact, it sounded a lot like early '80s-era Springsteen. But after their artistically ambitious second album, "A Season in Hell," was rejected by their record label, Eddie crashed his car, and his body was never recovered. Many fans contended that Eddie didn't die that night and was only in hiding. Unfortunately, Eddie later proved them right.
N.W.H. - FEAR OF A BLACK HAT
When the Recording Industry Association of America began putting stickers on albums reading "Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics," they must have done so in anticipation of a group like N.W.H. Rapper Ice Cold, hype man Tasty Taste, and DJ Tone-Def produced some of the hardest-hitting and foulest-mouthed gangsta rap tracks ever recorded. Still, they did try to put a social message in their music, like in the song "A Gangsta's Life Ain't Fun" -- with a video featuring the rappers cavorting with women in a hot tub surrounded by champagne and stacks of cash.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch - HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
Reinventing oneself has always been a part of the road to rock stardom. Few, though, take it to the extremes that Hedwig did. After undergoing a failed sex change operation to escape East Berlin, she was abandoned in America with nothing but her talent and a few spectacular wigs. She took a young Army brat under her wing, who stole her songs and made himself into the proto-emo phenomenon Tommy Gnosis. After the tabloids uncovered her relationship with Tommy, Hedwig fell off the map, but her devoted fans -- known as "Hedheads" -- anxiously await her return.
Spinal Tap - THIS IS SPINAL TAP
There truly is a fine line between stupid and clever, and for over four decades Spinal Tap has danced along that line like tightrope walkers in very tight trousers. Long known as one of England's loudest bands, the trio of David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls was rediscovered by a new generation after Marty DiBergi's documentary of their tumultuous "Smell the Glove" tour became a rock movie classic. The band continues to rock audiences around the globe (when they can find the stage), but they are currently looking for a new drummer. If you're interested in the position, please send the band a list of your qualifications and next of kin.
Source
The Rocker tells the story of Robert "Fish" Fishman, the drummer who was fired from '80s hair band Vesuvius right before they hit it big. Now he's chasing the dream again in his nephew's garage band. So if, like Fish, you rock 'n' roll all night and party every day, check out this gallery of some of the greatest fictional groups in movies. And this list goes all the way to 11.
Dewey Cox - WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY
Like many great musicians, Dewey Cox's early years were marred by tragedy -- specifically, he cut his brother in half with a machete. But he overcame adversity by playing the blues. Then he played R&B, and then rock n' roll. Then folk, punk, psychedelic, disco and rap. Along the way he overcame numerous addictions, married several women, and fathered countless children. Through it all, he lived, loved, and walked as hard as any non-fictional rocker ever has.
Stillwater - ALMOST FAMOUS
1973 saw this band explode onto the scene with its incendiary single "Fever Dog." As they crossed the country on their "Almost Famous" tour, lead singer Jeff Bebe clashed with guitarist Russell Hammond, whose talent began to overshadow his bandmates. The drama on-stage and off was captured in a "Rolling Stone" cover story by 15-year-old reporter William Miller, including Hammond's affair with legendary "Band Aid," Penny Lane.
The Dreams - DREAMGIRLS
Merely being backup singers -- even for a performer as electric as James "Thunder" Early -- was not going to be enough for the dynamic trio originally known as "The Dreamettes." But when manager Curtis Taylor Jr. installed Deena Jones as the lead of the new standalone group, the talented Effie White was relegated to a background role. Tensions mounted, and soon Effie was forced out by Curtis (who wasn't aware that she was carrying his child). As Deena's star rose, Effie struggled to get by. When Deena discovered the Curtis' efforts to suppress Effie's comeback single, the Dreams eventually get back together for one final performance.
The Soggy Bottom Boys - O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?
When the Soggy Bottom Boys' first single, "Man of Constant Sorrow," became a hit, little was known about the group. And that was how they wanted it, seeing as how the three singers were all fugitives from a chain gang. Ulysses Everett McGill and backup singers Pete and Delmar had a signature "old timey" sound that caused a sensation. When the band's identity was revealed during a surprise appearance at a political rally, Governor "Pappy" O'Daniel not only pardoned the escapees, but promised them positions in his administration. Which made them three of the smartest and most reputable politicians in the state's history.
The School of Rock - SCHOOL OF ROCK
Steeped in controversy, this band was formed by singer/guitarist Dewey Finn when he pretended to be a licensed substitute teacher at the prestigious Horace Green Elementary prep school. But the time he spent teaching his students about AC/DC rather than their ABCs paid off when the band became the surprise fan favorite at a local Battle of the Bands. The attention allowed Finn to create a legitimate rock music school where parents would actually know what it was their kids were studying.
The Wonders – THAT THING YOU DO!
Coming out of Erie, PA, The Wonders (or "Oneders," as they were originally known) burst onto the scene after drummer Guy Patterson unintentionally turned frontman Jimmy Mattingly's ballad "That Thing You Do" into an up-tempo dance hit. Signed to Playtone Records, the band toured in the summer of '64 as their single shot up into Billboard's Top 10. But just as quickly, the band disintegrated, never to release a second song. Mattingly did find success after with his follow-up band, The Heardsmen.
The Commitments - THE COMMITMENTS
Jimmy Rabbitte was a young man with a dream: to assemble a great American soul band. The only problem was he lived in North Dublin, Ireland. Still, he was able to find a veteran pro, trumpeter Joey "The Lips" Fagan; a charismatic front man, 16-year-old Deco Cuffe; and a trio of attractive backup singers to fill out his 10-piece roster. Of course, putting a band together is one thing; keeping it together can be nearly impossible. But for a time, "The Hardest Working Band in the World" brought a little Memphis and Motown to the Emerald Isle.
Eddie and the Cruisers - EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS
There is a certain breed of music lover who can still tell you where they were when they first heard that Eddie Wilson had driven his car off a bridge. The New Jersey native and his band hit it big in the early 1960s with a sound unlike anything else at the time -- in fact, it sounded a lot like early '80s-era Springsteen. But after their artistically ambitious second album, "A Season in Hell," was rejected by their record label, Eddie crashed his car, and his body was never recovered. Many fans contended that Eddie didn't die that night and was only in hiding. Unfortunately, Eddie later proved them right.
N.W.H. - FEAR OF A BLACK HAT
When the Recording Industry Association of America began putting stickers on albums reading "Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics," they must have done so in anticipation of a group like N.W.H. Rapper Ice Cold, hype man Tasty Taste, and DJ Tone-Def produced some of the hardest-hitting and foulest-mouthed gangsta rap tracks ever recorded. Still, they did try to put a social message in their music, like in the song "A Gangsta's Life Ain't Fun" -- with a video featuring the rappers cavorting with women in a hot tub surrounded by champagne and stacks of cash.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch - HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
Reinventing oneself has always been a part of the road to rock stardom. Few, though, take it to the extremes that Hedwig did. After undergoing a failed sex change operation to escape East Berlin, she was abandoned in America with nothing but her talent and a few spectacular wigs. She took a young Army brat under her wing, who stole her songs and made himself into the proto-emo phenomenon Tommy Gnosis. After the tabloids uncovered her relationship with Tommy, Hedwig fell off the map, but her devoted fans -- known as "Hedheads" -- anxiously await her return.
Spinal Tap - THIS IS SPINAL TAP
There truly is a fine line between stupid and clever, and for over four decades Spinal Tap has danced along that line like tightrope walkers in very tight trousers. Long known as one of England's loudest bands, the trio of David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls was rediscovered by a new generation after Marty DiBergi's documentary of their tumultuous "Smell the Glove" tour became a rock movie classic. The band continues to rock audiences around the globe (when they can find the stage), but they are currently looking for a new drummer. If you're interested in the position, please send the band a list of your qualifications and next of kin.
Source
