We aren’t sure if this is the most unique choice on the ballot, but we are convinced there is nobody else like it. From the movie of the same name, we have Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which was fronted by an East German transsexual (John Cameron Mitchell as Hedwig) whose botched gender reassignment surgery left her with an “Angry Inch”, hence the name of her backing band. Musically it was solid, as composer Stephen Trask (who appeared with his own band as the “Angry Inch”) did a great job and the authenticity is certainly there. As this has become a cult film, and is recognized critically as a decent one, do we have a solid candidate here? The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) Actors: John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig) Stephen Trask (Skszp) Theodore Liscinski (Jacek) Rob Campbell (Krzysztof) Michael Aronov (Schlatko) Songs you might remember: Angry Inch Why you should vote for them: The music was unique and solid. Also, music was a focal point of the film, and that does help. Why you should not vote for them: There is only so far a cult film with a small audience can go. {youtube}
8tgy9ODhwNI{/youtube}
After the demise of the Wonders in the Tom Hanks film, “That Thing You Do”, we learn that the lead singer was able to fulfill his creative juices with the “Heardsmen” which apparently achieved some success. Since, we never saw it, does it really matter here? It probably doesn’t. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: That Thing You Do (1996) Actors: Jonathon Schaech (James “Jimmy” Mattingly II, Guitar and Lead Vocals) Songs you might remember: None Why you should vote for them: Apparently they were successful. Why you should not vote for them: What difference does it make if they were successful or not? We never saw it happen on screen.
The elder statesmen of the Nashville music scene, Haven Hamilton brought us white sideburns and interesting suits. He was presented as a Nashville legend with political aspirations; an interesting combination indeed. Played by Henry Gibson, we saw a side of the funny man that we frankly did not know he was capable of. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Nashville (1975) Actor: Henry Gibson Songs you might remember: Keep A-Goin 200 Years Why you should vote for him: His role was large, and undervalued. Why you should not vote for him: We did call this the Fictitious “Rock and Roll” Hall of Fame.
Hard Core Logo may not have achieved an audience outside of Canada, but it was a very well received mockumentary that gave us a look of at a once successful Punk Rock band and their reunion tour. As with any mockumentary, the band is full of bizarre characters, strange events, but most importantly, the music was strong, and you had no problem believing this group really existed. As an indicator of how good the music was, there was also a pretend tribute album that was actually got released. If this received even a halfway decent audience outside of Canada, we have a serious contender. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Hard Core Logo (1996) Hard Core Logo 2 (2010) Actors: Hugh Dillon (Joe Dick, Lead Singer) Callum Keith Rennie (Billy Tallent, Guitar) John Pyper-Ferguson (John Oxenberger, Bass) Pipefitter (Bernie Coulson, Drums) Songs you might remember: Who The Hell Do You Think You Are Why you should vote for them: Come on…what other fictitious band actually had a tribute album! Why you should not vote for them: They only made it in Canada. {youtube}
Bd2yjzL9Sno{/youtube}
