Total Recall: Tomatopalooza -- Cinema's Greatest Fake Bands
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Buckaroo Banzai and the Hong Kong Cavaliers As seen in: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension (1984) Tomatometer: 71% Only in the 1980s would you find Peter Weller playing a world-renowned neurosurgeon and particle physicist who moonlights as the frontman for one of eastern New Jersey's most popular bar bands -- a band consisting of many other part-time hyphenates, including a botanist, a linguist, and an entomologist -- but The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension owes its cult classic status, at least in part, to the nightclub performances of the Hong Kong Cavaliers. Family Ties fans and sharp-eyed children of the '80s will recognize Mr. Billy Vera (of Billy Vera and the Beaters, natch) holding down the bass as Pinky Carruthers. |
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The Blues Brothers As seen in: The Blue Brothers (1980) Tomatometer: 76% Other bands on this list may have more interesting backstories, but none of them were on a mission from God -- and none of them boast a pedigree as stellar as the Blues Brothers. As Donald Fagen noted in Steely Dan's 1980 hit, "Hey Nineteen," "It's hard times befallen the soul survivors" -- and none of them had more soul than Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn, Willie Hall, Steve Jordan, and Matt Murphy, the Stax veterans who made up the core of Jake and Elwood Blues' orphanage-saving combo and enjoyed career boosts after the movie was released. It was all too good to last, and soul purists may have taken offense at the band's very existence, but if they were good enough for Brother Ray, hey, they're certainly good enough for you. |
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earthbound writes: on Aug 20 2008 05:41 PM Cameron Crowe is married to NANCY Wilson, not her sister Ann. (Reply to this) |
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Some guy you dont know writes: on Aug 20 2008 06:54 PM Stillwaters ftw. (Reply to this) |
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sycp writes: on Aug 20 2008 07:54 PM What About "Steal Dragon" from Rock Star. They Rock Harder than Most Real Bands today (Reply to this) |
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handsome chip writes: on Aug 20 2008 08:09 PM Its a crime that Josie and the ***** cats is on this list and not The Lone Rangers. Chaz, Rex and Pip rock. (Reply to this) |
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handsome chip writes: on Aug 20 2008 08:10 PM Hah! I guess I mean Pussycats* (Reply to this) |
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hunch51984 writes: on Aug 20 2008 08:28 PM What about Strange Fruit from Still Crazy?!!! Not the most well known movie but it is a great movie. (Reply to this) |
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Pleasuretown writes: on Aug 20 2008 10:55 PM I'm glad Josie and the Pussycats made the list. I don't care what anyone says. (Reply to this) |
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ironmanstarks writes: on Aug 20 2008 11:54 PM I can't believe I've never seen This is Spinal Tap. Go ahead,trash me and tell me how good it is, especially since I have seen Josie and the Assclowns. Almost Famous is a great movie. (Reply to this) |
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talkingsock writes: on Aug 20 2008 11:56 PM In reply to this comment (#1994137) Obviously or you'd keep that well hidden (Reply to this) |
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Roxtar writes: on Aug 21 2008 12:30 AM I'm totally with you handsome chip, but I do love me some Tara Reid! Yep! I said it! (Reply to this) |
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manalozeus writes: on Aug 21 2008 01:12 AM How about those kid from School of Rock? They were fantastic! Maybe they're too young (Reply to this) |
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Daniel Aaron writes: on Aug 21 2008 02:34 AM quick question...how is it the Blues Brothers only got a 76% tomato rating..besides incredible music incredible dance numbers..(the church,out in front of Ray's) Dialogue in which Terintino probably learned how to write..The Mall sequence ..Elwoods apt. Carrie Fisher, John Candy and the Illinois law enforcement community the last car chase and everything eles oh lets not forget Frank Oz...unreal oh and of course the band and the Blues mobile and Jake and Elwood..oh and Cab Calloway John lee hooker,James Brown..Twiggy....Aretha Franklin...many more (Reply to this) |
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whitey_mcwhite writes: on Aug 21 2008 09:46 AM I have to say that I would pick Steel Dragon, Strange Fruit, The Lone Rangers, and The School of Rock over most of the bands on this list. Too bad you guys are going to Tomatometer and not by the greatness of the actual fake bands within the movie! (Reply to this) |
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spooksmagee writes: on Aug 21 2008 09:54 AM WYLD STALLIONS! /air guitar (Reply to this) |
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dahluzz writes: on Aug 21 2008 11:01 AM there's some funny crap about the band Visuvius from 'the rocker' on funny or die. will arnett is a friggin http (Reply to this) |
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battleship_potemkin writes: on Aug 21 2008 11:52 AM Kathleen Turner Overdrive is fake!? I actually saw them play in Atlanta in the mid 90's... I think... I was pretty wasted back then. (Reply to this) |
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Epaminondas writes: on Aug 21 2008 11:53 AM No Eddie and the Cruisers? (Reply to this) |
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laidtowaste writes: on Aug 21 2008 12:13 PM School of Rock? No? Ok. (Reply to this) |
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Urban_Nomad writes: on Aug 21 2008 01:02 PM I feel like Waynes World should get some kind of a nod here. I would even consider the guys banging their heads to Queen in the Gremlin a better fake band than Josie and the Pussycats. God Gave Rock and Roll to You - Kiss (Wyld Stallions) is an A memory (Reply to this) |
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Wall*Dee writes: on Aug 21 2008 01:36 PM Tap kicks ***. That's all there is to say. (Reply to this) |
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