In the new film Ten Thousand Saints, out Aug. 14, a teenager named Jude (Asa Butterfield) is introduced to the straight-edge punk scene of 1988 New York City. With friends Eliza (Hailee Steinfeld) and Johnny (Emile Hirsch), Jude becomes enamored with the punk scene after his best friend, Teddy (Avan Jogia) dies of an overdose. Part of that punk scene is a band called Army of One. For those wondering if Army of One is a real band, I'm afraid to tell you, it's not — but that's hardly unusual for movies, so while the news may be disappointing, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise.
Ten Thousand Saints is far from the first film to feature a fictional band, and I highly doubt that it will be the last. Over the years, countless films have featured fake music groups, whether as main elements of the plot or just side attractions at parties, but only a few have proven truly memorable. Only time will tell whether or not Army of One will join the ranks of some of the best fake bands in movie history, but for now, here's a list of some of the most memorable so far.
Stillwater Of Almost Famous
Stillwater, the rock gods from Almost Famous, is certainly one of the most memorable fictional movie bands — if only for Billy Crudup's Russell Hammond, who was equal parts douche and musician. Hammond was joined in the group by Jeff Bebe (Jason Lee), Larry Fellows (Mark Kozelek) and Ed Vallencourt (John Fedevich). Stillwater's original hit "Fever Dog" was written for the film, but it was Crudup's classic "I am a Golden God!" moment that secured the rock band's place in the fictional band hall of fame.
The Oneders Of That Thing You Do
The Oneders (pronounced One-ders, NOT O-needers), Jimmy (Johnathon Schaech), Lenny (Steve Zahn), Guy (Tom Everett Scott) and bass player played by Ethan Embry, were the stars of That Thing You Do, Tom Hanks' 1996 directorial debut. The year was 1964, when a small-town band with dreams of making it big actually created a hit song, "That Thing You Do." The film follows the band's rise to fame, and subsequent tumble, but the Oneders set a high bar for fake bands with their truly catchy hit.
Spinal Tap Of This Is Spinal Tap
Spinal Tap turned it up to eleven as the rock band featured in Rob Reiner's mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap (1984). Composed of eccentric Brits David St Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), Vic Savage (David Kaff) and Mick Shrimpton (RJ Parnell), Spinal Tap has survived in the years since the film's release, even performing together as recently as 2009.
Proto Zoa Of Zenon: Girl Of The 21st Century
Proto Zoa (Phillip Rhys) was, for all intents and purposes, the biggest rock star in the galaxy when Disney Channel aired their original movie Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century. With his strange, spiky hair and dashing smile, it was impossible not to fall in love with him and dream about being his "Supernova Girl."
Josie And The Pussycats Of Josie And The Pussycats
Josie (Rachel Leigh Cook), Valerie (Rosario Dawson) and Melody (Tara Reid) brought Josie and the Pussycats to life in the amazingly strange 2001 movie. The original soundtrack was extensive, with songs produced by Babyface and performed by the three main actresses. And if you don't at least recognize the catchy single "Three Small Words," you have not truly lived.
So if Ten Thousand Saints follows in these projects footsteps, then you can expect Army of One to stick around for awhile.
Image: Screen Media Films
