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.
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.
Country Joe and the Fish (the Mk 2 version) play an outlaw gang and sing “We’re the Crackers” in Zachariah.
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.
I thought of that one yesterday and saw that IMDB credits each as “himself.”
IIRC he sends up their famous Christmas song with an Easter version: “Well here it is, happy Easter, everybody’s having buns…”
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.
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.
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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
And in leather in his pop star glam rock prime
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.
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The Circle Jerks appear briefly as an anonymous lounge band in Repo Man.
[not entirely sure - someone has borrowed my copy of the movie]
ZZ Top in Back to the Future 3. I don’t think they had a name in the sotry.
Yep - singing “When the shit hits the fan.”
Doobie de doo wop wop say what, yeah…
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-
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.
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.
He also plays a meaner guitar.
A quick check on Wiki confirms my submission played themselves. So just nevermind. The movie was a true stinker anyway.
This was on just a few days ago. Yeah, I’m surprised that show sees the light of day anymore.
This would make a great Double-Feature with The Star Wars Christmas Special
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.
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.
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.