13 Funky TV Bands

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Music has always played a big part in our TV experience, but sometimes it's more than just a quiet song played in the background.

On this Throwback Thursday, we're looking at some of our favorite fictional TV bands (from shows such as Parks and Recreation, which you can watch on Amazon Prime to shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer that you can watch on Amazon Prime) that we wish were real!

A couple of these are funny parodies of real bands, some struggled with finding the perfect name, and others simply provided opportunities for the characters to blow off steam. As they say, music can be a form of therapy.

Whether you were rocking out to "Killer Tofu" on Saturday mornings, or swaying along to "5000 Candles in the Wind,"  take a moment to revisit these awesome made-up TV bands. 

So which groups made our cut? Which ones did we forget?  Check out the slideshow and be sure to let us know in the comments.

 

1. Hot Sundae - Saved by the Bell

Sure there was also Zack Attack, but Hot Sundae was featured in easily one of the most recognizable episodes of the series. Who can forget watching Screech sub in for Jessie after she became addicted to caffeine pills and couldn't perform?

2. The California Dreams - California Dreams

The members of The California Dreams navigated through the normal teen high school problems, but unlike most teenagers, they also dealt with the difficulties of trying to earn a record deal. The show's theme song was an original song performed by the band, and the majority of the actors even sang their own songs.

3. The Beets - Doug

Doug's favorite band, The Beets, performed classics such as "Killer Tofu," "I Need Mo' Allowance," and "Shout Your Lungs Out." Sadly, when the show moved to Disney, the band broke up, but Doug managed to get them back together to perform at a school dance.

4. Mouse Rat - Parks and Recreation

Andy Dwyer's band had more band names than songs, but Mouse Rat is the one that stuck. With memorable songs including "The Pit" and "Catch Your Dream," Mouse Rat gained local success with "5000 Candles in the Wind," the memorial song written for miniature horse, Lil Sebastian. While Mouse Rat never made it big, Andy went on to garner a little more success as a solo kids' performer under the stage name Johnny Karate.

5. Dingoes Ate My Baby - Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The Dingoes were the band to see at the only club in town, the Bronze. Oz got his first glimpse of Willow, dressed as an Eskimo, while he was on stage playing guitar with the band. After they started dating, Willow and the rest of the Scoobies were seen dancing along to their songs several more times until Oz left Sunnydale, and Willow, behind.

6. Creation - Freaks and Geeks

Creation (also known by other names) featured members Daniel Desario, played by James Franco, on guitar and Nick Andopolis, played by Jason Segel, on the drums. The group performed mostly cover songs such as "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Crossroads." The band was especially important to Nick, who felt the only way he could avoid military school was to make it big as a drummer.

7. The Be Sharps - The Simpsons

Homer's barbershop quartet had hits such as "Baby on Board" and "Hello My Baby/Hello My Honey." The group's original members included Homer, Apu, Principal Skinner, and Chief Wiggum, but Wiggum was later replaced by Barney. Starting out performing at Moe's Tavern, they reached their high point when they won a Grammy, but split up soon after when Barney started dating a Japanese artist.

8. Jesse and the Rippers - Full House

At the beginning of Full House, Jesse was the cool, "wild" uncle who fronted a rock band. However, as the series went on, Jesse became a more and more responsible adult, but he remained part of the Rippers. They were always there to be part of the soundtrack to all of the big moments in the Tanners' lives.

9. Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem - The Muppet Show

As a mainstay on The Muppet Show, Dr. Teeth's hippy, psychadelic house band could rock hard, but would also dabble in jazz, classical, and even some show tunes. Performing with musicians like Elton John, Paul Simon, and Diana Ross, they were the consummate professionals, but every once in awhile it was fun to see Animal go crazy with an insane drum solo.

10. Mystik Spiral - Daria

Mystik Spiral (though they're thinking of changing their name) featured Jane's brother, Trent. The rock/grunge band wasn't very good, but they still managed to get plenty of gigs in Lawndale. Regardless of the quality, Daria continued to attend, though it wasn't the music that drew her in, but her growing crush on Trent.

11. Dr. Funke's 100 Percent Natural Good-Time Family Band Solution - Arrested Development

This folk group was a family affair, formed by Tobias, Lindsay, and Maeby Bluth. They specialized in advertising and performed songs promoting products such as Euphorazine and Teamocil. When Lindsay and Maeby stormed off stage, George Michael jumped in on the wood block. In the end, this band was as doomed as the pharmaceuticals they were promoting.

12. The Blowholes - The Adventures of Pete & Pete

The Blowholes were formed by Little Pete Wrigly and included his friend Clem, his math teacher, and a local meter man. The band was inspired when Pete heard a song and used the band to play the one riff he could remember in hopes that the rest of the song would come to him. Eventually it does, and Pete and the Blowholes rock out to it until he's sure he won't forget it again.

13. Drive Shaft - Lost

Charlie's band Drive Shaft gained world wide recognition with their single "You All Everybody." However, after they couldn't live up to the success of their first hit, and complicated by drug and money issues, Drive Shaft died leaving Charlie broken. Sadly, it wasn't until Charlie's disappearance/apparent death that the band got back together, leading them once again to fame and success, minus one of the original quartet.

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Tag:
Throwback Thursday
Shows:
Saved by the Bell, The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation, The Muppets, Lost, Arrested Development
Related Photos:
Throwback Thursday Slideshows, Saved by the Bell Slideshows, The Simpsons Slideshows, Parks & Rec Slideshows, The Muppets Slideshows, Lost Slideshows, Arrested Development Slideshows
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