In nearly every form of recognition bestowed upon bands by the music industry—be it in awards, gold records or placement on hallowed lists recounting top bands of all time—the selection is almost invariably limited to a very narrow group: bands that have actually, how should I say, “existed.” Sure, hard work, determination and developing one's talent is peachy keen, but what about bands who have done none of these things? Where is their glory?
From groups that are almost too fake, like CB4, to fake bands like the Blues Brothers that are almost too real, fictional music groups can sometimes be just as well known as their legitimate counterparts. Here is a list of what are quite arguably the best fake bands ever.
A one-hit wonder and Canadian phenomenon, the Zit Remedy surprisingly never seemed to be able to create much of a buzz outside of the halls of Degrassi Junior High. While this could partially be due to the fact that they apparently only ever recorded a single track—“Everybody Wants Something”—the trio of Joey Jeremiah, Archie “Snake” Simpson and Derek “Wheels” Wheeler still managed to put out an album, The Zit Remedy: LIVE!
Consisting of Homer Simpson, Clancy Wiggum, Seymour Skinner and Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the band first found success after replacing Wiggum with local barfly Barney Gumble and changing Apu's surname to “D'Beaumarchais.” Despite finding success with their two albums, Meet The Be Sharps and Bigger Than Jesus, and being nominated for a Grammy, the turmoil and infighting that so often haunt barbershop quartets overcame the group, causing them to permanently disband—save for a rooftop performance on Moe's Tavern.
Easily the most enduring of animated musical groups, Josie and the Pussycats have managed to keep their career thriving from their inception in the 1970s through to their feature film in 2001. Fronted by Josie McCoy, with Melody Valentine on drums and Valerie Brown on bass, the group managed to cut a solitary, self-titled record in the '70s. Poor administration by their buffoonish manager Alexander Cabot, along with rivalry between McCoy and Valentine for the heart of folk singer Alan M, likely prevented the band from reaching the same star status as fellow animated wonders the Archies.
Affectionately labeled by the press as the “pre-fab four,” the Rutles were the creative geniuses behind such classic albums as Revolter, Shabby Road and Yellow Submarine Sandwich. Their breakthrough album, however, is undeniably Sgt Rutter's Only Darts Club Band, to which they admit writing while under the influence of tea (a drink they claim introduced to them by Bob Dylan). Responsible for such numbers as “Can't Buy Me Lunch,” and “I Am The Waitress,” the Rutles are the only band who can boast holding 19 of the top 20 spots on the UK charts.
For the hype surrounding “real” bands, hopefully this list proves that the musical greatness in not limited, in fact, to reality. After exploring these groups and others that dominate the world of fictitious music, you might just find that your favourite band doesn't even exist.
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