# Real bands cameoing as fictional bands in movies/TV? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 18, 2021, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714 "2021-10-18T23:56:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/1 "2021-10-18T23:56:22Z")
TIL from Craig “Dave Lister” Charles (on his [new 6 Music show](https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/craig-charles-6-music-weekday-afternoon-show)) that in the Red Dwarf episode where he meets his waster younger self and his crappy band “Smeg and the heads”, the band in question is played by the real metal band [Napalm Death](https://metalinsider.net/columns/remember-when-napalm-death-played-on-a-british-kids-show). ’ What other examples of this are there? I mean there is the Blues Brothers of course, but IIRC that was a bunch of legendary session musicians rather than a band. I’d also add extra brownie points for real bands playing fictional bands who are meant to be really crap (the whole joke was young Dave Lister’s band was rubbish and wasn’t going amount to anything, and his song was just him saying “Ohm” over and over). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/2 "2021-10-19T00:00:24Z")
In the _Gilligan’s Island_ episode “[Don’t Bug the Mosquitoes](https://gilligan.fandom.com/wiki/Don%27t_Bug_the_Mosquitoes),” a fictional rock band, the Mosquitoes (a parody of the Beatles) visited the island. They were played by Les Brown Jr. and the Wellingtons – the Wellingtons were a folk group, who had recorded the series’ theme song for its first season. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/3 "2021-10-19T00:03:27Z")
On the Dick Van Dyke show, the Petries were hiding a British Invasion band (called the …?..; I’m doing this from hazy memories). Played by Peter and Gordon, [NOT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85VIXOBsVjA) the sort of rockers that would have hordes of teenage girls screaming and trying to tear off their clothes. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/4 "2021-10-19T00:04:30Z")
The Jeff Healey Band appeared as the house band in the 1989 film _Road House_; I don’t think that they were supposed to be the Jeff Healey Band in it, as Jeff himself played a character named Cody in the film. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/6 "2021-10-19T00:06:36Z")
On _The Andy Griffith Show_ the Darling Family would occasionally play a little tune. The brothers were in real life members of a family group called The Dillards. [darlings compilation - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMkIS0aoa5w) Se if you can spot the cameo when they play “Boil That Cabbage Down” 😄. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/7 "2021-10-19T00:12:11Z")
The Dollyrots appeared in CSI: NY “Stuck on you” as a band call “The Rough Sects” ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/8 "2021-10-19T00:18:07Z")
In S3 E2 of _Metalocalypse_, Dethklok lifts the ban on Dethklok tribute bands and eventually they all replace the members of Thunder Horse, a Dethklok tribute band named after a Dethklok song. Not quite what the OP is looking for, maybe, but it still (sorta) involves a band doing appearances as a fictional band. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/9 "2021-10-19T00:25:10Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > In S3 E2 of _Metalocalypse_ , Dethklok lifts the ban on Dethklok tribute bands and eventually they all replace the members of Thunder Horse, a Dethklok tribute band named after a Dethklok song. > > Not quite what the OP is looking for, maybe, but it still (sorta) involves a band doing appearances as a fictional band. Wait, so the members of real tribute band for a fictional band played a themselves as a fictionalized version of said tribute band on the show? Definitely a grey area, but as they are playing themselves doesn’t count, I think? ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/10 "2021-10-19T00:30:57Z")
lowell george of little feat cameoed on F Troop and Gomer Pyle while he was a member of the band The Factory. [LITTLE FEAT’S LOWELL GEORGE MAKES A CAMEO APPEARANCE ON TV’S ‘F TROOP,’ 1967](https://dangerousminds.net/comments/little_feats_lowell_george_makes_a_cameo_appearance_on_tvs_f_troop_1967) ---
**Author:** ![WreckingCrew](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wreckingcrew/32/4080_2.png) [@WreckingCrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WreckingCrew)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/11 "2021-10-19T00:30:57Z")
The Standells (known for the song “Dirty Water” played a band called The Love Bugs on the Bing Crosby Show. They even got down with Bing himself. They were an L.A. band and so were in a bunch of shows and movies over the years. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I–iCn4sPZM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I--iCn4sPZM) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/12 "2021-10-19T00:33:14Z")
[Here’s the synopsis from the show’s wiki:](https://dethklok.fandom.com/wiki/Thunderhorse_(band)) > [@](#): > > **Thunderhorse** was a [Dethklok](https://dethklok.fandom.com/wiki/Dethklok) tribute band named after [the Dethklok song of the same name](https://dethklok.fandom.com/wiki/Thunderhorse_(song)). Originally formed by Dethklok rhythm guitarist [Toki Wartooth](https://dethklok.fandom.com/wiki/Toki_Wartooth) along with four people, shorty after the ban on Dethklok tribute bands was repealed. All the members dress up and have pseudonyms (except Skwisgaar) based on the members of Dethklok. While reviewing footage of various bands with [Ofdensen](https://dethklok.fandom.com/wiki/Charles_Foster_Ofdensen)for Dethklok’s approval, [Pickles](https://dethklok.fandom.com/wiki/Pickles) discovered that Toki was in the band. Toki reveals that instead of being himself, he is [Skwisgaar](https://dethklok.fandom.com/wiki/Skwisgaar_Skwigelf) while in Thunderhorse. The rest of the band decided to go see Thunderhorse, and seeing that tribute bands are a good way to get back to their roots, joined Thunderhorse, kicking out the entire band (except Toki) in the process. Soon, they started to become popular, but not accustomed to a life of poverty, suffered from hunger and lack of sleep as a result. Eventually, Dethklok decided to go back to being Dethklok and their regular life, effectively ending Thunderhorse. > > The former members of Thunderhorse, after being kicked out by Dethklok, then started a tribute band to [Snakes N’ Barrels](https://dethklok.fandom.com/wiki/Snakes_N%27_Barrels) called “Serpents N’ Containers”. A flyer for Serpents N’ Containers can be seen briefly before Nathan puts a Thunderhorse flyer over it. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/13 "2021-10-19T00:47:50Z")
In “That Thing You Do,” The Wonders play a fake band called Cap’n Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters in a movie. Before you say that this is a fake band in a movie playing a fake band in a movie, remember that after the movie came out, they released the title track as a single in the US. It made it to #41. So they count as a real band. Playing a fake band in a movie about playing a fake band in a movie. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/14 "2021-10-19T00:48:43Z")
In _Singles_ three members of Pearl Jam appear as the band Citizen Dick, fronted by Matt Dillon. IIRC, they aren’t shown actually playing, though. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/15 "2021-10-19T00:51:46Z")
> [@digs](#): > > On the Dick Van Dyke show, the Petries were hiding a British Invasion band (called the …?..; I’m doing this from hazy memories). > > Played by Peter and Gordon, [NOT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85VIXOBsVjA) the sort of rockers that would have hordes of teenage girls screaming and trying to tear off their clothes. The Redcoats, played by Chad and Jeremy, not Peter and Gordon. Loudon Wainwright III appeared on _MASH_ as Captain Spalding, who played guitar and sang. He was supposed to be a regular, but only appeared in three episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/16 "2021-10-19T00:53:46Z")
They were “The Redcoats.” And they were played by [Chad and Jeremy](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/82A2/production/_116224433_gettyimages-1014181750.jpg), not Peter and Gordon. But I’m not entirely sure that Chad and Jeremy didn’t actually play Peter and Gordon. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/17 "2021-10-19T00:56:33Z")
Happy Days had an all-girl band fronted by ‘Leather Tuscadero’, who was Fonzie’s ex-girlfriend. She was played by Suzi Quatro, a rock star who had recently scored 8 hit singles including two #1’s in the UK. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/18 "2021-10-19T01:07:11Z")
Drew Carey auditioned several musicians for the band he was forming on _The Drew Carey Show_, including - Slash - Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen - ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill - Joey Ramone - Lisa Loeb - Dave Mustaine - Roy Clark (who plays fiddle in the clip) - Jonny Lang - Michael Stanley - Joe Walsh All were supposedly local musicians. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BJTqvNLQlG0/hqdefault.jpg "The Drew Carey Show - Auditioning Horndogs") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJTqvNLQlG0) ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/19 "2021-10-19T01:26:47Z")
On **Who’s the Boss?** , Angela goes out with a biker who becomes completely infatuated with her to the extent of getting up on stage in the middle of their date and singing a love song to her. The biker? _Lee Ving_, the lead singer of _Fear_, an LA punk band. My recollection from many years ago was that he was a remarkable good singer for a punk rocker. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/20 "2021-10-19T01:38:42Z")
In a first-season episode of _WKRP in Cincinnati_, “Hoodlum Rock,” the radio station sponsors a concert by a fictional English band, called Scum of the Earth. The lead singer of the band, who went by the name “Dog,” was played by real-life rock singer Michael Des Barres; Des Barres and his band, Detective, performed Scum of the Earth’s music for the episode. A decade later, Des Barres starred in the series reboot, _The New WKRP in Cincinnati,_ as DJ Jack Allen. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/21 "2021-10-19T01:40:18Z")
The band who played the prom in the original Carrie was a real working band. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714.md?page=2)