# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/82 "2021-10-20T23:35:22Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > The Dollyrots appeared in CSI: NY “Stuck on you” as a band call “The Rough Sects” A slightly less obscure band was also on CSI:NY. Train played two songs as the back up band for a character called Sam Baker. He was played by Train’s lead singer Pat Monahan. The songs “Hey Soul Sister” and “Calling All Angels” were both in the episode. It was his first time acting and as far as I recall he did a pretty decent job. ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/83 "2021-10-21T02:47:32Z")
I’ve never seen _The Commitments_, but I know the Corrs appear in it, with Andrea as the hero’s sister and the rest doing a cameo as a country-western band. Don’t know whether they perform, though. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/84 "2021-10-21T03:29:28Z")
Country Joe and the Fish (the Mk 2 version) play an outlaw gang and sing “We’re the Crackers” in _Zachariah_. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/bl5q2YqB-lk/hqdefault.jpg "Country Joe & The Fish - We're The Crackers (Zachariah)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl5q2YqB-lk) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/85 "2021-10-21T04:12:53Z")
> [@John\_W.Kennedy](#): > > I’ve never seen _The Commitments_ , but I know the Corrs appear in it, with Andrea as the hero’s sister and the rest doing a cameo as a country-western band. Don’t know whether they perform, though. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the movie, but I recall near the beginning, a scene takes place at a wedding reception. There’s a band, and it’s playing “24 Hours from Tulsa.” If that’s what you’re thinking of, then they do play–but not much; the scene isn’t very long. My contribution, even though it’s not a band: Elvis Costello played “Ben,” the musical entertainer that Cafe Nervosa tried once, on _Frasier_. He played typical British pub songs on his acoustic guitar, loudly and raucously, and engaged in comedy banter with the crowd, all of which irritated Frasier and Niles so much that they set out to find a new coffee shop. All ended well; Cafe Nervosa got rid of Ben, and Frasier and Niles could return. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/86 "2021-10-21T06:28:46Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I don’t think they were ever named in that film, I thought of that one yesterday and saw that IMDB credits each as “himself.” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/87 "2021-10-21T08:24:03Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > **Slade** lead singer **Noddy Holder** portrayed a teacher in the superb comedy **The Grimleys**. In one episode he performs a version of a **Slade** song (in context of the show inferring he failed at ever realising his dream of being a musician.) IIRC he sends up their famous Christmas song with an Easter version: “Well here it is, happy Easter, everybody’s having buns…” ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/88 "2021-10-21T11:17:35Z")
There are several **Slade** Easter Eggs in **The Grimleys**. I was referencing the rueful moment **Noddy’s** character **Mr Neville Holder** (itself an Easter Egg to **Noddy’s** real name) performs an acoustic version of **Cum On Feel The Noize.** [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/00f0Bf83PAc/maxresdefault.jpg "Cum On Feel The Noize acoustic - The Grimleys") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00f0Bf83PAc) However you are correct there was a comedy version of **Merry Xmas Everybody** repurposed for Easter. Note this clip begins with **Lewis Collins** , the sadistic PE teacher in his Spitfire car. He was most famous for portraying **Bodie** in **The Professionals**. They had a great cast in **The Grimleys**. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oXqGXBBp2JA/hqdefault.jpg "How the song "Merry Xmas Everybody" might have ended up") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXqGXBBp2JA) TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/89 "2021-10-21T11:50:19Z")
I’m still on The Grimleys since it is a rich seam. Here is **Noddy Holder** ’s character talking to the publican played by **Alvin Stardust** about how ridiculous their childhood dreams of a career in music were. Note **Stardust** is wearing a leather glove - his real life trademark as a singer used to be wearing all leather including a glove. The Grimleys [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/mBRpibDrV8k/hqdefault.jpg "Noddy Holder/Alvin Stardust on The Grimleys") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBRpibDrV8k) And in leather in his pop star glam rock prime [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/b0ZqNBd_orI/maxresdefault.jpg "Alvin Stardust - My Coo Ca Choo (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0ZqNBd_orI) Meanwhile this would be a better fit for the OP. Apparently in the much weaker third and final season punk band UFX (not a band I’m familiar with) made a cameo appearance. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/90 "2021-10-21T19:39:02Z")
The Circle Jerks appear briefly as an anonymous lounge band in [Repo Man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repo_Man_(film)). [not entirely sure - someone has borrowed my copy of the movie] ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/91 "2021-10-21T19:40:31Z")
ZZ Top in Back to the Future 3. I don’t think they had a name in the sotry. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/MfobYtIgkuA/maxresdefault.jpg "ZZ Top in Back to the Future") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfobYtIgkuA) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/92 "2021-10-21T20:57:26Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > The Circle Jerks appear briefly as an anonymous lounge band in [Repo Man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repo_Man_(film)). > > [not entirely sure - someone has borrowed my copy of the movie] Yep - singing “When the shit hits the fan.” Doobie de doo wop wop say what, yeah… ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/93 "2021-10-21T22:44:00Z")
Steve Vai made an appearance in _Crossroads_ (the Ralph Macchio one, not the Britney Spears one) as the guitarist Macchio’s character has to outplay to escape damnation. This greatly annoyed Ry Cooder, who did most of the actual guitar playing for the film and was originally going to play the role. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/94 "2021-10-22T00:03:23Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Steve Vai made an appearance in _Crossroads_ (the Ralph Macchio one, not the Britney Spears one) as the guitarist Macchio’s character has to outplay to escape damnation. This greatly annoyed Ry Cooder, who did most of the actual guitar playing for the film and was originally going to play the role. I can’t help but think it’s a good thing that didn’t happen. He doesn’t have the most dynamic stage presence and him playing against himself would not have worked as well as the two styles fighting it out. The scene in question- [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tXfZtlAPUNc/hqdefault.jpg "Guitar Battle Scene from "Crossroads" (1986) | Steve Vai") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXfZtlAPUNc) ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/95 "2021-10-22T00:17:08Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I can’t help but think it’s a good thing that didn’t happen. He doesn’t have the most dynamic stage presence and him playing against himself would not have worked as well as the two styles fighting it out. Greil Marcus in a footnote of his famous essay-styled book “Mystery Train” pointed out that Ry Cooder lost all his credibility scoring the music for a film about the deep blues where in the end, the guitar battle is decided by a classical piece of music. I think he had a point. But the soundtrack album by Cooder is fantastic nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/96 "2021-10-22T03:10:39Z")
I hadn’t watched that since the movie came out, it was enjoyable in a silly way. Also, Steve Vai is a better actor than Ralph Macchio. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/97 "2021-10-22T03:16:28Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Also, Steve Vai is a better actor than Ralph Macchio. He also plays a meaner guitar. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/98 "2021-10-22T07:33:57Z")
A quick check on Wiki confirms my submission played themselves. So just nevermind. The movie was a true stinker anyway. > [@ThisSpaceForRent](#): > > lowell george of little feat cameoed on F Troop This was on just a few days ago. Yeah, I’m surprised that show sees the light of day anymore. > [@mbh](#): > > Kiss in _Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park_ This would make a great Double-Feature with _The Star Wars Christmas Special_ ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/99 "2021-10-22T08:32:14Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Greil Marcus in a footnote of his famous essay-styled book “Mystery Train” pointed out that Ry Cooder lost all his credibility scoring the music for a film about the deep blues where in the end, the guitar battle is decided by a classical piece of music. I think he had a point. But the soundtrack album by Cooder is fantastic nonetheless. Except that it wasn’t apparently Cooder’s idea; it was the director’s to go with the classical piece. And yes, it’s an excellent soundtrack. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/100 "2021-10-22T14:42:14Z")
Just came across one today, though not an entire band: Donna Summer played singer Nicole Sims in the 1978 disco film _Thank God It’s Friday_. Also much more than a cameo appearance. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2021, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714/101 "2021-10-23T03:16:06Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > > [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > > > Greil Marcus in a footnote of his famous essay-styled book “Mystery Train” pointed out that Ry Cooder lost all his credibility scoring the music for a film about the deep blues where in the end, the guitar battle is decided by a classical piece of music. I think he had a point. But the soundtrack album by Cooder is fantastic nonetheless. > > Except that it wasn’t apparently Cooder’s idea; it was the director’s to go with the classical piece. And yes, it’s an excellent soundtrack. Yes I had the soundtrack. It was fantastic. It didn’t contain the guitar duel since it wasn’t really a fully formed song. Vai did put it on his album _The Elusive Light and Sound Vol 1_ which is a compilation of his movie and tv soundtrack work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-bands-cameoing-as-fictional-bands-in-movies-tv/952714.md?page=6)