Top 11 Fictional Bands from TV and Film

Fictional bands are the lifeblood of music-infused storytelling. Whether used to satirize the industry, provide a stage for rock drama, or just blow out some eardrums, these acts don’t need a real-life discography to earn a spot in rock’s hall of fame (even if some ended up recording for real). 

From mockumentaries to movie anthems that slap way harder than they should, these bands have infiltrated playlists, pop culture, and our hearts. Here are the top 11 greatest fictional bands from TV and film—the ones who, despite being figments of our imagination, absolutely shred.

11. The Lone Rangers — Airheads (1994)

The band that proves you can't pluralize "Lone Ranger"... but you can start a rock revolution with some hostages and a demo tape.

Armed with Marshall stacks, leather jackets, and enough Aqua Net to create a weather system, The Lone Rangers hijack a radio station to get their single played in Airheads, a cult classic starring (recent Oscar winner!!) Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, and Adam Sandler. Their sound? Straight-ahead late-'80s/early-'90s hair metal, dripping with earnest angst and dive-bombing solos.

Fraser’s character, Chazz Darby, fronts the band and cranks out high-gain riffage that’s more legit than you’d expect. Their single, Degenerated (originally by Reagan Youth), actually rules—and thanks to the chaos they cause, they achieve the ultimate rock fantasy: fame through felonies.

What Stringjoys Would They Use?

Chazz Darby is a man of impeccable taste... and he's broke. Our Stringjoy 10-48 Balanced Light Orbiters would give him the flexibility to switch between rhythm and lead and last a whole bunch of gigs (or hostage negotiations) thanks to their enamel coating.

10. Sex Bob-Omb — Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Loud, sloppy, and powered by love (and 8-bit energy blasts), Sex Bob-Omb embodies garage rock meets Nintendo-core in this punk trio from Edgar Wright’s hyper-stylized cult hit. Named after a Super Mario enemy, Sex Bob-Omb is led by the perpetually confused Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera), whose red Rickenbacker bass actually slings some pretty righteous fuzzy low-end chaos.

With punchy tracks written by Beck ("We Are Sex Bob-Omb" is a genuine banger), the band’s sound is an explosive mix of lo-fi fuzz and youthful desperation. They don’t exactly win the battle of the bands—but their gear does get vaporized in combat with evil exes, which is pretty metal. Raw, real, and reckless, they embody the DIY ethos like few fake bands ever have.

What Stringjoys Would They Use?

Stringjoy 50-105 Medium Gauge Long Scale Signatures would hold up to Scott Pilgrim's manga style thrashing and sound awesome doing it.

9. The Wonders (The Oneders) — That Thing You Do! (1996)

That Thing You Do! proves that one hit can lead to eternal replay value.

Written and directed by Tom hanks, That Thing You Do! is a nostalgic love letter to '60s pop in which The Wonders take center stage. The eponymous tune starts off as a middling ballad until drummer Guy Patterson (Tom Everett Scott) ups the tempo into Beatles-esque bop territory. The resulting hit catapults the band from Pennsylvania pizza parlors to national stardom.

The crazy thing about "That Thing You Do!" the song is that it is genuinely the kind of earworm that could've topped the actual Billboard charts in 1964. Written in real life by Adam Schlesinger (of Fountains of Wayne Fame), it's fair to say the movie genuinely wouldn't work if the titular song wasn't so dang catchy. As far as The Wonders, their clean-cut style, matching suits, and jangly guitars (including a lovely vintage-style Fender Strat and semi-hollow Gretsch) are pure British Invasion cosplay—except, you know, from Erie, PA. The band burns bright, burns fast, and becomes a perfect encapsulation of fleeting fame.

What Stringjoys Would They Use?

Stringjoy 10-46 Classic Light Pure Nickel Broadways were probably exactly like the strings The Wonders were playing in 1964.

8. Citizen Dick — Singles (1992)

Fronted by Matt Dillon as Cliff Poncier, Citizen Dick is the ultimate grunge parody—except it’s not really a parody. Featuring actual members of Pearl Jam (Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, and Jeff Ament), their sound is indistinguishable from the real thing... which maybe makes them an unfair entry on this list!

Cliff struts around with a white Stratocaster, mostly for looks, and drops lines like “Our song ‘Touch Me, I’m Dick’ is about, you know, sensitivity.” Their smug, self-serious vibe perfectly nails the moment when alt-rock was about to go mainstream, and Dillon’s preening posturing is spot-on. They may be fictional, but they’re also very, very 1992 Seattle.

What Stringjoys Would They Use?

If we could get in touch with Stone Gossard we'd definitely recommend our Stringjoy 10.5-50 Balanced Light Plus Signatures sets! If we could get in touch with Cliff Poncier... well, we probably wouldn't want to.

7. Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem — The Muppet Show / The Muppets Franchise

Psychedelic soul, cartoon chaos, and a drummer who should probably be in jail. Or a zoo.

The Muppets’ house band has been bringing the groove since 1975. With Dr. Teeth on keys, Janice on lead guitar (often a Gibson SG), Floyd on bass, Zoot on sax, and Animal on drums, they blend funk, rock, jazz, and psychedelia into a puppet-fueled jam session.

Their chaotic energy and undeniable chemistry made them fan favorites, and their long-overdue 2023 Disney+ series The Muppets Mayhem gave them a faux-rockumentary platform to shine. It turns out felt and foam can produce some legit, red-blooded hooks. Don’t sleep on their covers of classics like Can You Picture That? or original cuts that belong in real festival lineups.

What Stringjoys Would They Use?

Janice would probably go for our Stringjoy 10-48 Balanced Light Signatures for their high output and playability that even felt fingers can fret with ease.

6. Dewey Cox and The Hard Walkers — Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)

A razor-sharp parody melange of just about every music biopic ever made, Walk Hard tracks the ridiculous rise and fall of Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly), a Johnny Cash-meets-Brian Wilson hybrid with a catalog that veers from rockabilly to psych-pop to disco—all played with surprising musical chops.

Backed by the ever-loyal Hard Walkers, Dewey’s guitar work spans eras, styles, and many, many substances. Whether he's slinging a black-and-white Telecaster or melting down in a theremin-fueled psych jam, Dewey’s journey is as musical as it is emotional. Bonus points for the genuinely fantastic soundtrack, featuring songs that manage to be both hilarious and, somehow, kind of amazing.

What Stringjoys Would They Use?

Dewey's tech would probably opt for our Stringjoy 11-52 Balanced Super Light Foxwoods, because they sound great and could hold up to Dewey's behind the scenes shenanigans.

5. Stillwater — Almost Famous (2000)

Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical look at 1970s rock excess is full of heart, and Stillwater feels like a real band that could’ve opened for Bad Company or Foghat. Fronted by Jeff Bebe (Jason Lee) but truly driven by guitarist Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup), Stillwater’s sound is bluesy, Southern-tinged hard rock, with soaring leads and road-weary swagger.

Russell famously melts minds with a Gibson Les Paul, often a '58 burst style. His mantra—“I am a golden god!”—epitomizes the delusions of rock stardom. But despite ego battles and groupie drama, the band plays with conviction. Tracks like "Fever Dog" (written by Nancy Wilson) genuinely rock, making Stillwater feel as real as any '70s road band ever was. 

What Stringjoys Would They Use?

"Fever Dog" would sound period correct on our vintage style Stringjoy 11-48 Classic Medium Pure Nickel Broadways.

4. Josie & the Pussycats - Josie & the Pussycats (2001 film & 1970 cartoon)

Born in Archie Comics (1963) and immortalized by Hanna‑Barbera’s Saturday‑morning cartoon, Josie McCoy, Valerie Brown, and Melody Valentine finally clawed their way to live‑action glory in the 2001 cult‑favorite film. The movie cranks their bubble‑gum pop into crunchy Y2K pop‑punk, thanks to letters‑on‑a‑B.C. Rich riffs from Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo), who provided Josie’s vocals.

Visually, the Pussycats are a masterclass in coordinated branding: orange‑and‑black cat‑ear headbands, faux‑fur tails on hip‑hugger pants, and sparkly crop tops that scream MTV‑TRL era. Musically, they fuse power‑chord punk energy with radio‑ready hooks—think Veruca Salt meets Britney, but with more claws. 

Initially panned, the film’s sharp satire of pop‑industry commodification aged into prophetic brilliance—pre‑dating influencer culture and subliminal marketing chatter. Today, Josie & the Pussycats enjoy reclamation as feminist‑pop icons and low‑key gear nerds; their soundtrack still rotates on alt‑rock playlists, proving that nine lives (and three small words) are all you need to leave paw prints on rock history.

What Stringjoys Would They Use?

Stringjoy 9.5-46 Balanced Super Light Plus Signatures would suit Josie's jangly rhythm playing and power chordage.

3. School of Rock — School of Rock (2003)

In School of Rock, Jack Black’s perpetually hungover Dewey Finn cons his way into a substitute teaching gig – and ends up building the greatest fifth-grade rock band of all time. The kids are ridiculously talented—Zack on lead guitar (rocking a Flying V, no less), Katie on bass, Lawrence on keys, and Freddy on drums—and the cherry-red SG wielding Dewey channels his inner Angus Young to teach them important lessons in the ways of Sabbath, Zeppelin, and AC/DC.

Their original song School of Rock (co-written by Black) is an undeniable arena-rock anthem. But the real power is in the kids' chemistry and energy. They remind us that the ageless spirit of rock isn’t just for the old guard—it belongs to anyone brave enough to shred. 

What Stringjoys Would They Use?

We think Stringjoy 9-42 Balanced Super Light Orbiters be a perfect fit for Zack's 5th grade fingers, lightning fast leads, and their coating'd make them impervious to PB&J.

2. The Blues Brothers — The Blues Brothers (1980)

On a mission from God. And probably also on parole.

What started as a Saturday Night Live sketch turned into one of the greatest musical comedy acts ever. Jake and Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) front a soul band featuring actual legends like Steve Cropper and Donald “Duck” Dunn of Booker T. & the M.G.'s.

They wear Ray-Bans, black suits, and drive a decommissioned cop car, but the music is 100% legit. With covers of "Soul Man," "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," and "Think," The Blues Brothers are more than parody—they’re a tribute to the roots of American rhythm and blues, complete with swinging horns and twanging Telecasters.

What Stringjoys Would They Use?

We think Mr. Cropper would love our Stringjoy 10-46 Classic Light Pure Nickel Broadways for their shimmering tone and round core flexibility.

1. Spinal Tap — This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Was there any doubt? No fictional band has had a more iconic - or ironic - impact than Spinal Tap. Dreamed up for Rob Reiner’s mockumentary masterpiece, Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) delivered spot-on satire of heavy metal excess—with a side of genuine musical brilliance.

Their catalog includes classics like "Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight," "Big Bottom," and "Stonehenge," all played with serious chops and a hilarious lack of self-awareness. Tufnel’s iconic sunburst Les Paul (and double-neck when needed) symbolizes both his dedication and delusion. And let’s not forget: drummers explode. Literally.

Tap also provides a genuine outlet for gear nerds. Featuring a legendary assist from Norm's Rare Guitars, Guest's Tufnel proudly displays a bevy of incredible guitars in his collection that are probably still sustaining to this day - if you were playing them, that is.

Spinal Tap started as a joke, but ended up touring, recording, and influencing countless actual musicians. That’s not just meta—that’s legendary. And for that reason they top our list – even though it goes to 11.

What Stringjoys Would They Use?

Nigel Tufnel would rock Stringjoy 9.5-46 Balanced Super Light Plus Signatures for searing leads and wound strings that'd hold up to being played by a violin. David St. Hubbins would choose Stringjoy 10-52 Heavy Bottom Orbiters because... well, because we all know how he feels about bottoms.

Awesome Fake Bands - Real Awesome Strings

Strings so good even made up guitarists love 'em.

Stringjoy 10-48 Balanced Light Gauge Orbiters - Coated Nickel Electric Guitar Strings

Stringjoy 50-105 Long Scale 4 String Medium Gauge Signatures - Nickel Wound Bass Guitar Strings

Stringjoy 10-46 Classic Light Gauge Broadways - Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings

Stringjoy 10.5-50 Balanced Light Plus Gauge Signatures - Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings

Stringjoy 10-48 Balanced Light Gauge Signatures - Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings

Stringjoy 11-52 Super Light Gauge Foxwoods - Coated Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

Stringjoy 11-48 Classic Medium Gauge Broadways - Pure Nickel Electric Guitar Strings

Stringjoy 9-42 Balanced Super Light Gauge Orbiters - Coated Nickel Electric Guitar Strings

Stringjoy 9.5-46 Balanced Super Light Plus Gauge Signatures - Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings

Stringjoy 10-52 Heavy Bottom Light Gauge Orbiters - Coated Nickel Electric Guitar Strings