Billy and the Boingers (at #6 in the list) would have been my #1 choice, on the strength of this album cover parody alone (its source of inspiration is here). But it has nothing to do with the musical integrity of Berke Breathed, it's just because I'm a Springsteen fanatic. posted by amyms at 9:00 PM on August 7, 2007 [1 favorite]
Dr. Teeth & The Electric Mayhem? Hell yeah!!! posted by nola at 9:01 PM on August 7, 2007
#1: Dr. Teeth & The Electric Mayhem
Good list posted by mexican at 9:03 PM on August 7, 2007
Your Favorite Non-Existent Band Sucks posted by Poolio at 9:03 PM on August 7, 2007
I would have liked to see Tenacious D on the list. But I am not sure if they are considered real or not. posted by Mr_Zero at 9:12 PM on August 7, 2007 [1 favorite]
I would pay at $200 balcony ticket to see Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem. But that also means I'd get a better chance of sitting next to Statler and Waldorf. WIN-WIN. posted by spec80 at 9:19 PM on August 7, 2007 [11 favorites]
Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem is proof that Henson was a genius. posted by oddman at 9:27 PM on August 7, 2007
This list is hogwash. It omits the greatest band to have ever rocked this universe, from Ursa Minor Beta to the Gagrakacka Mind Zones.
They're here tonight for a very special performance, ladies and gentlemen, strap on those Joojanta 2000 Peril Sensitive Sunglasses, grab your towels and give it up for the loudest noise in the history of the known universe...
What about Smeg and the Heads? posted by arto at 9:28 PM on August 7, 2007 [6 favorites]
I actually like these Misfits' songs kinda a lot. They're short.
Weird that there's a real Jem and a makebelieve Jem. What happens if Jemreal and The Misfitsreal ever meet in real life? A Rock-off for the heart of Rio, that's what! Come on, girls, we're getting real! Showtime, Synergy!! posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 9:31 PM on August 7, 2007 [4 favorites]
Oh yeah, Disaster Area. Seeing as how I used to used Max Quordlepleen as my BBS handle a forever and a half ago, I ought to have remembered. All the bands on the list have actually put out some form of recorded music despite not existing, though--did Disaster Area? Maybe for the radio series or something? posted by arto at 9:32 PM on August 7, 2007
The Commitments are actually a real band now too. They've been doing gigs for years.
I've never seen them in person, but I love the movie and the soundtracks are absolutely wonderful. posted by tittergrrl at 9:33 PM on August 7, 2007
Jem and the Holograms were totally real. And outrageous. Do not ruin that for me, Ambrosia Voyeur :( posted by spec80 at 9:35 PM on August 7, 2007
Yes, spec80, they were truly truly truly outrageous.
I don't get this list at all. How are the Chipmunks or the Blues Brothers "fake" when they've released multiple best-selling albums? That's like saying Gorillaz or Spinal Tap were fake because the characters aren't real even though they've toured for years. Christ, that cartoon cat Paula Abdul danced with released his own album.
A for concept, F for implementation.
And where's Bad News and Wyld Stallyns? posted by XQUZYPHYR at 9:44 PM on August 7, 2007
quin is right, Spinal Tap and Blues Brothers shouldn't be on this list at all. I'm not altogether sure just how many actual shows Spinal Tap did, but I know they did some. They probably toured. And the Blues Brothers, forget about it! Man, that was the old Stax Records rhythm section: Steve Cropper, "Duck" Dunn, and they had Matt "Guitar" Murphy, etc. They were a serious band! Even if the whole thing started as a movie. And now tittergrrl's called 'em out on the Commitments as well. The folks who compiled this list didn't exactly do their homework, that is, if they really meant never existed. posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:46 PM on August 7, 2007
Yeah, if Spinal Tap is on this list, then the Partridge Family should be, too. And I'm fairly certain that all the original members of ELO were Animatronic, except for Jeff Lynne, and he was actually carved from butter. posted by BitterOldPunk at 9:55 PM on August 7, 2007 [3 favorites]
All of you who pointed out the discrepancy between the "never existed" label and the "bands who really did put out albums" have a valid point. I didn't even think about that when I read the list, so I thank you for pointing it out (and including links) because it gave me a lot of great things to think about (like, do the Brady Kids count? *sings "Sunshine Day*). I think maybe the compilers of the list meant "bands that were originally conceived as fictional" (even if said bands eventually released real work). posted by amyms at 10:18 PM on August 7, 2007
It's a fine line between what is "real" and what is "fake". I guess it's all about the actual reasons why the so-called bands were formed. The Blues Brothers were formed because they were a skit, to make people laugh. Their success was phenomenal enough to allow them to become "real" for a time.
The same thing goes for Spinal Tap and The Commitments. The original intent was make a movie, not do gigs. It just so happened that they were good enough to continue as a band.
The thing with all three bands is that they were only as good as their movies. They never charted after the original soundtracks came out (okay, Spinal Tap did, but there's always a fly in the ointment). So I have to say that these bands were fake.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood was a fake band that toured for years after. I think this list should go to 11. posted by ashbury at 10:18 PM on August 7, 2007 [1 favorite]
Wow, I just had a really cool epiphany;
From the same book;
Blunt Force Trauma play a kind of speed reggae
"The Ten Best Bands That Basically Have Nothing In Common Except That They Started as Fictional. While Some Stayed Fictional, Others Became Actual Bands."
And if we are going to discuss 'fake bands' we should probably mention Whale's Hobo Humpin slobo babe. which is about as good as you can get in a song. Though it was meant as a joke, and yet, the success off of that song led to the album 'All Disco Dance Must End In Broken Bones' [A title which I just love to say...] and a really quality album. posted by quin at 10:35 PM on August 7, 2007 [3 favorites]
That's a GREAT site, hydrophonic... I almost posted it myself awhile back, but then I discovered that it had already been an FPP before (but darned if I can find it now, so thanks for posting it in this thread). posted by amyms at 10:44 PM on August 7, 2007
my list would include Sexual Chocolate, Banjo And Sullivan, Stillwater, Leather and the Suedes, and DuJour. posted by billyfleetwood at 10:47 PM on August 7, 2007
The Banana Splits! GOD DAMN IT!
Citizen Dick! FOR THE LOVE OF PETE!
whew... boy, mock outrage about a trivial topic takes it out of a guy. posted by tkchrist at 10:54 PM on August 7, 2007 [1 favorite]
God damn ashbury, that's pretty deep. Are you shrooming? posted by Mr_Zero at 10:55 PM on August 7, 2007
I love how Limozeen is pronounced. It takes a minute to say it and it makes me a little dizzy and hoarse. posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 11:03 PM on August 7, 2007
No Eddie and The Cruisers?????
On the dark side.... oh yeah..... On the dark side..... oooooooohhhhhh yeeeaaaaahhhhh... posted by bradth27 at 11:09 PM on August 7, 2007 [2 favorites]
The Folksmen are my favorite from that universe, actually. "Skeletons of Quinto" is actually darn good. Not on YouTube, I guess. Deleted scenes only. posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 11:58 PM on August 7, 2007
And I'm fairly certain that all the original members of ELO were Animatronic
Ach, as a Roy Wood fanatic I cannot let this stand, funny or no. posted by anazgnos at 12:06 AM on August 8, 2007
The Blues Brothers were formed because they were a skit, to make people laugh. Their success was phenomenal enough to allow them to become "real" for a time.
I think we can at least all agree that The Blues Brothers 2000 were not a real band. posted by anazgnos at 12:07 AM on August 8, 2007
I think there was a band called the Stray Cats in "That'll Be the Day", and "Stardust". And Dave Edmunds was in it, which makes it the best ever. posted by emf at 1:17 AM on August 8, 2007
Any aussies out there remember The Orange Organics?
now i'm not gonna be able to get this out of my head all nite:
one day the wind blows hot & cold
life can be sweet & sour but i am in control...
what about the band in degrassi junior high? posted by UbuRoivas at 2:14 AM on August 8, 2007
Oh ta, Ubu. Earworm tennis!
everybody wants something
they'll never give up
everybody wants something
they'll take your mon-ay
and never give up! posted by goo at 2:27 AM on August 8, 2007
artowrites"All the bands on the list have actually put out some form of recorded music despite not existing"
The American Medical Association recorded? Do the undead Nazis know? posted by brundlefly at 2:34 AM on August 8, 2007 [1 favorite]
What is real? What is fake? In our own ways, aren't we all just puppets, manipulated by forces beyond our control? All I know is that Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem are one of the greatest bands of all time, and any list that gives them their rightful space at the top is a good one. (Please click that link. It's an image I commissioned from Sarah Clarke.) posted by Faint of Butt at 2:43 AM on August 8, 2007 [1 favorite]
Your favorite non-existent band sucks. posted by sciurus at 3:56 AM on August 8, 2007
actually, most of these non-existent bands suck.
goo - i had a mental block that prevented me from remembering those lyrics. thanks to you, that's now been overcome. i am so grateful that i've resolved not to track you down & firebomb your house. posted by UbuRoivas at 4:10 AM on August 8, 2007
HEY HEY what about THE MONKEES! posted by tiny crocodile at 4:21 AM on August 8, 2007
quin -- I know nothing of the backstory of Hobo Humping Slobo Babe, only that when I first saw the video on Beavis and Butthead in my younger days, I immediately formed the opinion that it was one of the best songs ever recorded. Please tell me more about Whale.
Also, this list is pretty great. Dr. Teeth may have been a natural choice for Number One, but there's always gonna be a special place in my heart for the Riverbottom Nightmare Band. posted by Greg Nog at 4:22 AM on August 8, 2007
No Johnny Bravo? posted by emelenjr at 4:56 AM on August 8, 2007
Not very literary. I'd like to see the Nazgul, from George R. R. Martin's The Armageddon Rag. They have the advantage of being able to absorb heavy metal umlauts. posted by adipocere at 4:57 AM on August 8, 2007
Seems to me, if any music has been recorded, then that band, in fact, does exist. If the Rutles and Blues Brothers are going to be on the list, then surely the Gorillaz, Monkees, etc. should be on the list.
And, yeah, Disaster Area should top the list. posted by Thorzdad at 6:22 AM on August 8, 2007
I want to live in a house
With my own letterbox
A backyard where my friends can play
Not living under people evewy day.
There wasn't much that was fun about being 15, but that was definitely a highlight. posted by h00py at 6:48 AM on August 8, 2007
Man, it's great hearing those Billy and the Boingers songs again after so many years, but the sound quality is really atrocious on those mp3's... probably because they're ripped right from the flexi-disc recording. Someone's gotta have the original master tapes around somewhere. The time is right for a proper Bootleg re-master and reissue! posted by 40 Watt at 6:56 AM on August 8, 2007
I'll counter with: Vitaly Chernobyl and the Meltdowns.
Hardly. Vitaly Chernobyl is barely fit to open for Sushi K.
And all of their bands are pussies, because you can listen to them on the same planet as their performance. Thirding Disaster Area. The only band that could challenge Disaster Area would be if Motorhead recruited Raven and Godzilla (for drums). Their performance would start RagnaROCK!! WOO!!!! \m/!!! posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 7:03 AM on August 8, 2007
I may have missed this above if someone mentioned it, but what about more Henson-riffic fantasy bands:
Author is apparently not "turned on" otherwise they would not have left off the Banana Splits and the Sour Grapes Bunch. posted by Pollomacho at 9:21 AM on August 8, 2007
Oh, and in the Commitments, when the band are discussing names, someone mentions a (fictional) band called Free Beer - "Yeah, they always get a big crowd". posted by tiny crocodile at 9:22 AM on August 8, 2007
time takes a cigarette, and puts it in your mouth... posted by mwhybark at 9:30 AM on August 8, 2007
Name one other fake band that had a fake band invented in literary (er cinematic) tribute!
How about having a real band named for one of many fake bands listed in a comedy scetch like Toad the Wet Sprocket? posted by Pollomacho at 9:35 AM on August 8, 2007
"Though it was meant as a joke, and yet, the success off of that song led to the album 'All Disco Dance Must End In Broken Bones' [A title which I just love to say...] and a really quality album."
Man, "We Care" was the surprisingly quality album. ADDMEIBB was pretty lame, despite a great title.
For the continuing compilation— My two favorite as-of-yet-unmentioned bands would be Polaris and The Latents. In fact, The Latents should be #1. posted by klangklangston at 9:39 AM on August 8, 2007
klangklangston said: My two favorite as-of-yet-unmentioned bands would be Polaris and The Latents.
I love Polaris' intro to "The Adventures Of Pete And Pete" ("Hey Sandy" [YouTube, but it's audio only]). I never knew that they were "created" just for the show, but whaddya know? They were. posted by amyms at 10:02 AM on August 8, 2007
McLir, one assumes we were blinded by the Rutles. Excellent point. posted by mwhybark at 10:05 AM on August 8, 2007
McLir said: Then there's this other group called, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
And don't forget the BeeGees/Frampton version. Here's the movie trailer. posted by amyms at 10:05 AM on August 8, 2007
I'll not argue that 'We Care' is awesome, but come on, ADDMEIBB has the song 'Four Big Speakers' which is just plain fun. posted by quin at 10:06 AM on August 8, 2007
mwhybark said: McLir, one assumes we were blinded by the Rutles.
Speaking of The Rutles, be sure to check out jonp72's fun FPP about Beatles spoofs and parodies (if you haven't already). posted by amyms at 10:11 AM on August 8, 2007
No video available but on the Mighty Wind soundtrack the Folksmen cover the Stones "Start Me Up". Hearing the harmonies on the line "you make a dead man come" may induce spontaneous laughter or heart attack. posted by Ber at 10:20 AM on August 8, 2007
I'm surprised they're not on YouTube, but "The Recess Monkeys" from Pre-Teen World on SCTV. Their cover of "Gone Gone Gone" was funny enough to inflict physical pain. posted by George_Spiggott at 10:38 AM on August 8, 2007
A truly great band only needs one song to change the world. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present The Queen Haters. posted by Opposite George at 10:52 AM on August 8, 2007
Oh, and an honorable mention should go to the Queen Haters. posted by mazola at 10:54 AM on August 8, 2007
Name one other fake band that had a fake band invented in literary (er cinematic) tribute!
Let's not forget the Flaming Creatures, played in that film by Placebo... posted by jokeefe at 11:10 AM on August 8, 2007
Rod Torfulson's Armada featuring Herman Menderchuck!
Tramp, she's a tramp, she's a trampoline girl! posted by bink at 2:49 PM on August 8, 2007
Josie and the pussycats. I was a fan. They even used the word "ironic" correctly in their movie. Not even the fucking tedious as fuck ripping of black people and claiming to oppressed Jem and the Holograms did that. posted by Sparx at 2:51 PM on August 8, 2007
I hate UK keyboards - and Macs - they are like the dufecta of shite. - ripping off - claiming to be. posted by Sparx at 2:56 PM on August 8, 2007
If memory serves, I remember doing a spit take when I put on my Billy and the Boingers flexidisc and discovered they were actually a favorite of mine, Mucky Pup. You can check out the original of "U Stink but I Love U" here by launching the mini jukebox and selecting "Boy in a Man's World." posted by nevercalm at 4:03 PM on August 8, 2007
The Degrassi Jr. High band was The Zit Remedy. : )
Yay for Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Dr. Teeth & The Electric Mayhem!
The fun thing about this fake children's band was that they often recorded with actual grown-uprecording stars. (Wait, did Raul Seixas just fly past a toilet?) posted by hydrophonic at 5:54 PM on August 8, 2007
Sure enuf SDB. But do they pass the bar of "Best"? Best real-life tragedy involving a fictional band, perhaps. Best band? Prolly not.
And for keerist's sake, how could I have neglected the Mingering Mike citation? posted by mwhybark at 9:02 PM on August 8, 2007
Arguably Milli Vanilli was fictional.
Sure enuf SDB. But do they pass the bar of "Best"? Best real-life tragedy involving a fictional band, perhaps. Best band? Prolly not.
That's why I suggested Boney M earlier - same guy behind em, same lip synching, same fakeness, only much better music...in fact, their "best" status is almost undeniable. posted by UbuRoivas at 10:35 PM on August 8, 2007
Okay, I accept that Milli Vanilli was "fictional" but myGAWD "Blame It On The Rain" was an awesome song! posted by amyms at 12:59 AM on August 9, 2007
And, (continuing with Milli Vanilli): "Girl You Know It's True" (sigh) Ahh 80s teenybopper memories! posted by amyms at 1:05 AM on August 9, 2007
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