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I've gathered here 11 bands that are simply too awesome for the real world to handle. Some are merely background players, others are the side projects (read: pipe dreams) of popular characters, while still others are the central focus of their own shows and films. A few are good enough to have released their "own" records, others are deliberately (and often hilariously) terrible. Some even are real bands playing under pseudonyms. Whatever the case, they make nerdity sound every bit as awesome as it looks.
11) Dingos Ate My Baby, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
When not howling at the moon or performing his duties as Willow Rosenberg's sole heterosexual squeeze, teen lycanthrope Daniel "Oz" Osbourne (Seth Green) played guitar for "Dingoes Ate My Baby," the Buffy-verse name for the real life band Four Star Mary. This band would have made the cut for the sheer awesomitude of their name if nothing else, but they're not bad music-wise either, playing above par '90s-era alt-rock. Enjoy "Shadows" off of Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Album.
10) Jeffster, Chuck
At one time or another, I think everyone has encountered a pair like Jeff Barnes and Lester Patel of Chuck fame: A duo whose friendship seems based around the fact that they're the only human beings on earth that can stand each other (if you've never known a "Jeff and Lester", you might wanna take a long, hard look at your own best friend). Individually, they're walking reminders that "nerd" is still a derogatory term in some cases, but together, they are JEFFSTER -- a two-man cover band that exists somewhere in the neutral zone separating hilariously bad from surprisingly good. In any case, they're tough to get out of your head and quite unlike anything else you've heard. Please enjoy (if that's the appropriate word) Jeffster's video from the season 3 finale: a "unique" take on Bon Jovi's "Blaze of Glory."
9) Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld, South Park
Lords of the Underworld were merely a terrible garage band until a motorized wheelchair interrupted one of their rehearsals. It was driven by a mentally handicapped little boy known as Timmy (last name unknown) who proceeded to blow the band away with his remarkable vocal skills. Hired as their new lead singer, Timmy went on to wow the judges at the battle of the bands, and became one of South Park's most popular recurring characters.
8) Shallow Gravy, The Venture Bros.
Hank Venture on bass, H.E.L.P.eR. on "drums", and lead vocalist Dermott Fictel are the ingredients of Shallow Gravy. Dermott is a local semi-delinquent who works at the supermarket, is prone to outrageous claims concerning his own abilities, and paradoxically spends a good deal of his free time hanging out with the naive, squeaky-clean Hank (there is good reason for this, but I'm not gonna spoil anything). Hank picked up Brock Samson's old bass, and over a summer of diligent practice, actually got good. With the re-built H.E.L.P.eR providing the beat, the three of them got Pete White to manage them, and cut a single, titled "Jacket". Even if you've never seen a minute of Venture Bros., you've gotta give this a listen. It's one of the most infectious tunes I've heard in years, and it makes me want to kick myself for selling my Fender P-Bass all those years ago.
7) Billy and the Boingers, Bloom County
The only band on the list NOT from a movie or TV series, Billy and the Boingers was part of a story arc from Berkeley Breathed's legendary satirical comic strip Bloom County, formed when local unscrupulous attorney Steve Dallas decides to quit practicing law and instead manage a heavy-metal band. Bloom County's drug-addled, occasionally dead, and former Communist mascot Bill The Cat, and oversensitive, ample schnozzed penguin Opus are recruited, playing "electric tongue" and tuba, respectively. Additionally, rabbit pessimist Hodge-Podge is hired to play drums. The band was originally named Deathtöngue, but caved to congressional pressure in a parody of the PMRC (Parent's Music Research Council) hearings of the '80s that targeted groups like Judas Priest. This tune is from a vinyl 45 (ask mom and dad, kids) that came with the Bloom County collection Billy and the Boingers Bootleg and was performed in real life by a group called The Harry Pitts Band (no, seriously!).
Tags: Bill & Ted, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Comic Strips, Harry Potter, Metalocalypse, Muppets, Music, South Park, Star Wars
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