Movies About Bands: A Definitive and Scientific Countdown

We recently saw two GREAT new movies currently out in theatres, both about bands: Green Room, a tense punks vs. nazis horror-thriller, and Sing Street, a coming of age/portrait of the artist as a young man-type-deal with a new wave pop soundtrack and mid-1980’s Irish flair.  Both are about bands, but that’s really where the similarities end – and I cannot emphasize enough how much I enjoyed them both.

So in celebration of this wonderful 2016 gift of not one but TWO excellent new band movies, I pulled together a list of 13 notorious movies about fictional bands and score them in terms of their band movie-ness, defined very scientifically by how strongly each of the following is featured in the film:

• A record deal
• A battle of the bands competition
• Obsessive/crazed fans
• Sellouts – or the act of selling out
• Drugs
• Tension in the Band (think Behind the Music)
• Going on tour
• Shady promoters / managers / music biz types
• Proclaiming the name of your band
• Band members who have other/additional important skills – such as neuroscience or martial arts

Films can receive up to 3 points for each criteria:

• 3 points = this criterium plays a critical role in the film’s plot or character development
• 2 points = this criterium is featured in a scene or scenes or specifically discussed by principal characters
• 1 point = this criterium makes a brief appearance or is alluded to indirectly

Points earned will be totaled and averaged, resulting in the film’s final score.  Ties will be broken based on which band’s name is better, according to me. Trust me, this methodology is research-based and validated* and findings are statistically significant**. Plot summaries provided by IMDB users. Let’s get to it!

13. Sing Street (2016)

“A boy growing up in Dublin during the 1980s escapes his strained family life by starting a band to impress the mysterious girl he likes.”
– Apparently submitted by the film’s publicity team. No credited author.

0 = Record Deal
0 = Battle of the Bands
0 = Fanatic(s)
0 = Sellouts
1 = Drugs
0 = Tension in the Band
0 = Going on Tour
0 = Shady Promoters
1 = Proclaiming the name of your band (Sing Street)
2 = Additional expertise (romance, music video direction/production, sailing)
TOTAL: 0.4 / 3
Summary: Although funny and sincere and moving and 100% about a band – this film is the least band movie-like movie ever, or at least – out of the films on this list. This score by no means draws into question the validity of the scoring methodology.

12. School of Rock (2003)

“After being fired from his own band, the guitar player Dewey Finn needs to raise some money to pay for his rent and his bills. When his friend and school teacher Ned Schneebly is called to a temporary work in an expensive private school, Dewey pretends to be Ned and accepts the job. He finds talented young musicians in his class, and he decides to form a rock-and-roll band with the students and win a competition called “Battle of The Bands” to raise the prize and be recognized in the show business.”
– by Claudio Carvalho, author of 5,138 IMDB film summaries, holy cow!

0 = Record Deal
3 = Battle of the Bands
1 = Fanatic(s)
1 = Sellouts
0 = Drugs
1 = Tension in the Band
0 = Going on Tour
0 = Shady Promoters
0 = Proclaiming the name of your band
1 = Additional expertise (math, spelling, vocabulary)
TOTAL: 0.7 / 3
Summary: It’s interesting that the two lowest scoring films on the list are also films about the genesis of bands. Perhaps a sequel would rank higher. Also, did you realize that School of Rock was directed by Richard Linklater? Makes me want to watch it again.

11. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)

“Buckaroo Banzai is a rock-star/brain-surgeon / comic-book-hero/samurai/ etc who along with his group, the Hong Kong Cavaliers, must stop evil creatures from the 8th dimension (all named John) who are trying to conquer our dimension. He is helped by Penny Pretty, who is a dead ringer for his late wife, and some good extra-dimensional beings who look and talk like they are from Jamaica.”
– Greg Bole, author of 16 IMDB movie summaries, including Bladerunner and This Is Spinal Tap

0 = Record Deal
0 = Battle of the Bands
1 = Fanatic(s) (mostly just swooning fans)
0 = Sellouts
2 = Drugs (if you count electricity and alien poison)
0 = Tension in the Band
2 = Going on Tour (it’s really a mission to save the world – but is there a more important kind of tour?)
0 = Shady Promoters
0 = Proclaiming the name of your band
3 = Additional expertise (neuroscience, secret missions, interdimensional travel, aliens)
TOTAL = 0.8 / 3
Summary: Buckaroo Banzai and another 80’s film which may or may not be next on in this list – also about a band who mostly does non-band-like things – would make a great double-feature. Who is with me?

10. Miami Connection (1987)

“The year is 1987. Motorcycle ninjas tighten their grip on Florida’s narcotics trade, viciously annihilating anyone who dares move in on their turf. Multi-national martial arts rock band Dragon Sound have had enough, and embark on a roundhouse wreck-wave of crime-crushing justice. When not chasing beach bunnies or performing their hit song “Against the Ninja,” Mark (taekwondo master/inspirational speaker Y.K. Kim) and the boys are kicking and chopping at the drug world’s smelliest underbelly. It’ll take every ounce of their blood and courage, but Dragon Sound can’t stop until they’ve completely destroyed the dealers, the drunk bikers, the kill-crazy ninjas, the middle-aged thugs, the “stupid cocaine”…and the entire MIAMI CONNECTION!!!:
– By MiamiConnection, author of only 1 IMDB film summary. This one, obvi.

0 = Record Deal
0 = Battle of the Bands
1 = Fanatic(s)
0 = Sellouts
3 = Drugs
0 = Tension in the Band
0 = Going on Tour
0 = Shady Promoters
1 = Proclaiming the name of your band (Dragon Sound)
3  = Additional expertise (martial arts, living together, crimefighting, friendship)
TOTAL: 0.8 / 3
Summary: Please stop everything you are doing and watch Dragon Sound perform their hit, “Friends Forever,” right now.  Do not miss this incredible movie. It will give meaning to your life.

9. Frank (2014)

“Jon, a young wanna-be musician, discovers he’s bitten off more than he can chew when he joins an eccentric pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank.”
– Anonymous
NOTE specifically for IMDB user Greg Bole: I would really like to read your summary of this movie. Please get to work.

0 = Record Deal
0 = Battle of the Bands
1 = Fanatic(s)
2 = Sellouts
0 = Drugs
3 = Tension in the Band
2 = Going on Tour
0 = Shady Promoters
0 = Screaming the name of your band
1 = Additional expertise  (youtube, hipster culture appropriation)
TOTAL = 0.9 / 3
Summary: Frank is an odd – and wonderful – film that is mostly about weirdo outsider art and about how fragile people can be. I really love this movie. And I’m so bummed that I can’t remember the name of Frank’s band. If you know it, put it in the comments and I’ll buy you a doughnut sometime. Sidenote: if you like this movie, check out Jon Ronson’s great little book, Frank: The True Story That Inspired the Movie.

8. Green Room (2016)

“After witnessing a murder, a punk rock band is forced into a vicious fight for survival against a group of maniacal skinheads.
– By Dan DiCenzo, who apparently hasn’t written any IMDB film summaries, which makes the summary featured here a real mystery indeed

0 = Record Deal
0 = Battle of the Bands
0 = Fanatic(s)
0 = Sellouts
1 = Drugs (mostly beer)
2 = Tension in the Band (mostly about panic and probable death)
3 = Going on Tour
3 = Shady Promoters
1 = Proclaiming the name of your band (The Ain’t Rights)
3 = Additional expertise (killing skinheads, arm bars, using duct tape)
TOTAL: 1.3 / 3
Summary: One thing you should know about this movie before you see it is that it is very violent, so be ready for that. It is also so awesome. Taut and unpredictable and scummy and desperate; even though you won’t breathe very much, the characters are real and believable and you really get attached to them quickly. So good.

7. Ladies and Gentleman… The Fabulous Stains (1982)

“The media and disaffected teens mistake the acerbic rants of an obnoxious teenage punk rocker as a rallying cry for the women of America, launching her and her talentless group to national stardom.”
– Jojo Mac, author of 15 IMDB film summaries, including Tombs of the Blind Dead and Primal Rage

0 = Record Deal
0 = Battle of the Bands
3 = Fanatic(s)
1 = Sellouts
0 = Drugs
2 = Tension in the Band
3 = Going on Tour
2 = Shady Promoters
3 = Proclaiming the name of your band
0 = Additional expertise
TOTAL: 1.4 / 3
Summary: This movie is so angsty that it’s kind of unpleasant. And yet, the whole of the film – the characters, the style, the abuse of rock and roll as a musical style and as an idea – is so acidic that it’s almost sweet. Like a really tart, not-quite-ripe grapefruit. This movie is a grapefruit.

6. Josie & The Pussycats (2001)

“For years, the record industries have inserted subliminal messages into music so that they can turn teenagers into brain dead zombies who do nothing but buy, buy, buy. And whenever the musician or band finds out the truth, the record company silences them to keep the truth from coming out. When the hot boy band DuJour discovers this, their manager, Wyatt Frame, under his evil, corrupt boss, Fiona, has the plane they are flying in crashed and him looking for a new band to use for their evil schemes. Enter Josie, the ditsy Melody, and the tough Valerie, from Josie and the Pussycats, a small band who wants to make it to the big time. When they are discovered by Wyatt, they give in and become big rock stars. But will they find out that they are just pawns for the record industry or will fame take them over?”
– Will, author of 43 IMDB film summaries, including Gremlins 2 and Monster’s Ball

3 = Record Deal
0 = Battle of the Bands
2 = Fanatic(s)
3 = Sellouts
0 = Drugs
2 = Tension in the Band
0 = Going on Tour
3 = Shady Promoters
2= Proclaiming the name of your band
0 = Additional expertise
TOTAL =  1.5 / 3
Summary: I completely forgot that Rosario Dawson is in this movie – so weird! Also, Tara Reid before her face melted off. And Alan Cumming + Parker Posey as delightful, soul-crushing record exec villains. This movie is fun – smart enough that you don’t fall asleep but silly enough that you can watch it while drinking. And wow – check out that band movie-ness score! Take that, boyz.

5. Rock of Ages (2012)

“1987. Naive Sherrie Christian has just arrived in Hollywood from Tulsa looking to become a rock star. She is just like Drew Boley was when he first arrived in Hollywood, he, now the Hollywood veteran …<exposiiton>…. The two meet … Despite Dennis Dupree, the Bourbon’s owner/manager, not liking to hire people like Drew or Sherrie – someone who has musical aspirations – as service staff, Drew is able to convince Dennis and his assistant Lonny … Drew and Sherrie who have a blossoming … <blah blah blah>… his Christian fundamentalist wife Patricia Whitmore … <sentences and thoughts and observations> … As Drew and Sherrie’s romance blossoms, other romances around them blossom as well.  <GREAT!> But their romance and their musical aspirations are threatened by trying to stay true to their musical visions, changing musical tastes, and by Stacee himself.”
– By Huggo, author of 9,514 IMDB film summaries, aka KSOFM

3 = Record Deal
0 = Battle of the Bands
2 = Fanatic(s)
3 = Sellouts
1 = Drugs
1 = Tension in the Band
1= Going on Tour
2 = Shady Promoters
2 = Proclaiming the name of your band (Arsenal, Stacee Jaxx, etc.)
0 = Additional expertise
TOTAL: 1.5 / 3
Summary: This film is fatuous, campy, dumbed down, overly stylized, un-self-aware, completely unrealistic, schlocky, musical theater interpretation of rock and roll garbage – and I love it. It’s so much fun!
Go away, serious pants. I’m watching my shows.

4. This is Spinal Tap (1984)

“In 1982 legendary British heavy metal band Spinal Tap attempt an American comeback tour accompanied by a fan who is also a film-maker. The resulting documentary, interspersed with powerful performances of Tap’s pivotal music and profound lyrics, candidly follows a rock group heading towards crisis, culminating in the infamous affair of the eighteen-inch-high Stonehenge stage prop.”
– Jeremy Perkins, author of 315 IMDB film summaries, including Drop Dead Gorgeous and Run Lola Run

0 =Record Deal
0 = Battle of the Bands
2 = Fanatic(s)
2 = Sellouts
1 = Drugs
3 = Tension in the Band
3 = Going on Tour
2 = Shady Promoters
2 = Proclaiming the name of your band (Spinal Tap!)
0 = Additional expertise
TOTAL = 1.5 / 3
Summary: It’s a classic! And it’s time for a rewatch.

3. Almost Famous (2000)

“William Miller is a 15-year-old kid hired by Rolling Stone magazine to tour with and write about Stillwater, an up and coming rock band. This wonderfully witty coming-of-age film follows William as he falls face first to confront life, love, and lingo.”
– Filmtwob, author of 17 IMDB movie summaries including Chicken Run and What Women Want

0 = Record Deal
0 = Battle of the Bands
3 = Fanatic(s) (band aids!)
2 = Sellouts
2 = Drugs (I am a golden god)
3 = Tension in the Band
3 = Going on Tour
2 = Shady Promoters
1 = Proclaiming the name of your band (Stillwater)
0 = Additional expertise – pretty much only philandering and drug use
TOTAL = 1.6 / 3
Summary: I don’t know about the confronting “lingo” part of that summary, Filmtwob. That said, this is a GREAT film. One of my all-time favorites. Probably top 10, maybe top 5. So heartfelt and sprawling and infused with discovery and being young and loving music “so much it hurts” (according to Fairuza Balk). Every time I watch this film it surprises me by how great it is.

2. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)

“Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is an unemployed 23-year-old bass guitarist in an up-and-coming garage rock band who is dating a cute 17-year-old high school girl, Knives Chau (Ellen Wong). He is having fun in life and rolling along at a nice even tempo until one day Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) roller-blades into his life. Ramona moved to Toronto from New York City to find peace and quiet and leave her past behind. No one knows what her past is, but Scott will find out very soon as he tries to make Ramona his new girlfriend. Before Scott can begin dating Ramona, he must prove himself by defeating the league of her seven exes who controls her love life. They will do anything to get rid of and destroy any new boyfriend Ramona may consider. If Scott wants to find true love with Ramona, he must defeat all seven, before the game is over.”
– Douglas Young, author of 22 IMDB movie summaries, including Due Date and Moneyball

2 = Record Deal
3 = Battle of the Bands
3 = Fanatic(s)
2 = Sellouts
0 = Drugs
2 = Tension in the Band
0 = Going on Tour
0 = Shady Promoters
2 = Proclaiming the name of your band (Sex Bob-omb)
2 = Additional expertise (battling – various forms)
TOTAL = 1.6 / 3
Summary: I resisted Scott Pilgrim for far too long… dismissing it as height-of-Cera-pandoring, spazzy, text message garbage. Boy was I wrong – this is a great movie! It’s colorful and energetic, sweet and surprisingly funny. Kieran Culkin is at his awesomeness zenith, the battles are inventive, and Cera is a perfectly flawed hero. Also, this one wins the prize for best band name. We are Sex Bob-omb!

1. That Thing You Do! (1996)

“Tells the unlikely tale of a fictitious Erie, Pennsylvania band called The Wonders. With the help of a catchy single, these likeable teenagers go from garage band to nationwide sensation within a matter of months. But when they reach the top, how long will they be able to stay there?”
– jgp3553, author of 30 IMDB film summaries, including Three Kings and Jailhouse Rock

3 = Record Deal
2 = Battle of the Bands
1 = Fanatic(s)
3 = Sellouts
0 = Drugs
2 = Tension in the Band
2 = Going on Tour
1 = Shady Promoters
3 = Proclaiming the name of your band (The One-ders/The Wonders)
0 = Additional expertise
TOTAL: 1.7 / 3
Summary: It makes sense to me that this film is the most band-movie of all the band movies on this list. Quick rise to fame, followed quickly by whirlwind tour, price of said fame, and decline into obscurity. I will admit that in my opinion – there are better/more fun movies elsewhere on this list. Sometimes, though, you just want to watch a band movie. And when you’re in THAT mood – science indicates that this is the movie for you and science doesn’t lie.

—

There were a few band movies not scored, since I haven’t seen them – including We Are The Best, The Blues Brothers, Rock Star and Eddie & The Cruisers. Feel free to submit scores and summaries in the comments.

Thanks for reading, friends! Nice to see you!

– betsy midnight

 

*totally made up
**meaningless for any real evaluative purpose