Americans have a fondness for music and it’s even better when it’s interjected into a favorite film. We’ve been thrilled by the bands that were formed for the sake of a movie. Entire stories have been built around some of them. From the alien band in Star Wars to the amazing tunes that we enjoyed in “Grease,” there are so many to choose from. We’ve gathered a collection of some of the best in the history of filmmaking. Enjoy our five favorite fictional bands in movies.
The Wonders
“That Thing You Do” is the 1996 drama/comedy/musical film that featured the fictional band The Wonders. The film was both written and directed by the talented Tom Hanks who also appeared as a member of the cast as the manager of the group. This was his debut as director. The time period is 1964 and the focus of the movie is the formation of the group and their journey to perform a number one hit with the same name as the film. The cast includes: Tom Everett Scott, Johnathon Schaech, Mattingly, Tom Hanks, Steve Zahn, Liv Tyler and Charlize Theron.
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains
This fictional band may be one of the most significant in the history of movies. It arose from the 1982 title of the same name as the band which amassed a cult following. Band members included Jessica McNeil played by Laura Dern and Corinne Burns portrayed by Diane Lane. Their hit was “Join the Professionals.” This group centered around a teenage punk band and signaled the beginning of the new movement in music. It had far reaching effects.
Soggy Bottom Boys
The Soggy Bottom Boys are the fictitious band that came out of the movie “O’ Brother Where Art Thou.” The members of the band were also the main stars of the film. They were Ulysses Everett McGill played by George Clooney; Delmar O’Donnell portrayed by Tim Blake Nelson and Pete played by Joh Turturro. Their number one hit in the movie “Man of Constant Sorrow” also became popular as a single and in the top selling soundtrack for the movie which was successful upon its release.
Infant Sorrow
The band Infant Sorrow is a fictional group pulled together for the hit films “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him To the Greek.” The notable member of the band was Aldous Snow played by Russel Brand. The hit song, “Inside of You” made a memorable impression. The first performance of the made up band was such a bit hit in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” that an entire movie was built around his band “Infant Sorrow.
Marvin Berry and the Starlighters
The cult film “Back to the Future” starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd spawned the ficitonal band Marvin Berry and the Starlighters. As the duo travel back in time, Marty McFly finds himself at his parents’ high school dance. He joined the band so his parents would have a chance to fall in love and played his own interpretation of “Johnny B. Goode.” He rocked the socks off of them, but the music was a little too advanced for the time period. The hit song for the group in the film was “Earth Angel,” which was a little more in step with what the teens of that generation were used to.
Stillwater
Portrayed in the movie Almost Famous this is a band that is on the verge of going mainstream and having to deal with the popularity. They give a great portrayal of a typical popular 70s band and the sound matches the sound of many hits from that era. Jason Lee does a great job as front man and of course Billy Crudup as the good looking and band leading ax man. Yes, Stillwater was a real band but the one in Almost Famous is different.
The Commitments
This is probably my favorite one on the list and is a movie that’s highly underrated. Say it once. Say it loud. “I’m black and I’m proud.” Great great line in a year when people weren’t quite as sensitive about P.C. crap.
Otis Day and the Knights
I mean this one goes without saying does it not?
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