Fictional Bands, "Convoy" & Opinions on Gorillaz

Fictional Bands

Some bands are are born, and some are just made up. Jim and Greg share some of their favorite fictional bands from movies, TV, and more. Plus, a review of the new album from cartoon creation Gorillaz, and the strange story of C.W. McCall's trucker hit "Convoy."

Download Subscribe via iTunes

Humanz Gorillaz

Humanz (Deluxe)

The virtual band led by Blur's Damon Albarn, Gorillaz, is back with the group's fifth album. While they may technically be a "fictional" band, their impressive record and concert sales are very real. Their new record, Humanz, features collaborations with artists like Mavis Staples, Pusha T, Jehnny Beth of Savages, Grace Jones and more. Jim thinks Humanz is another great and creative effort from Gorillaz. He thinks the guest cameos work well from track to track, and that Damon Albarn created an interesting, dystopian effort. He gives it a Buy It. Greg is also a big Gorillaz fan, and thinks that Albarn gets the best out of his guests, and particularly loves the cameos from new artist Benjamin Clementine and rapper Vince Staples. While he doesn't think much of the collaboration track from Albarn and "enemy" Noel Gallagher of Oasis, he thinks Humanz is a great end of the world party soundtrack. He gives it a Buy It.

Fictional Bands

A fictional band is a band where everything about them is made up: from a fictitious origin story to imaginary members. However, they make real music (or at least someone behind the scenes makes it). Greg and Jim share a few of their favorites:

Greg

  • Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem – The Muppet Show
  • Dewey Cox – Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
  • CB4 – CB4
  • Autobahn – The Big Lebowski

Jim

  • Sex Bob-omb – Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
  • The Banana Splits – The Banana Splits Adventure Hour
  • Crucifictorius – Friday Night Lights
  • The Fabulous Stains – Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains

C.W. McCall's "Convoy"

Convoy

C.W. McCall had a surprise #1 hit in 1976 with the novelty country song "Convoy," sparking a global C.B. radio craze. But C.W. McCall was, in fact, a fictional creation. Producer Evan Chung tells the strange story of how "Convoy" became a cultural phenomenon. He speaks with the songwriters behind "Convoy" – ad executive-turned-lyricist/vocalist Bill Fries and composer Chip Davis (later of Mannheim Steamroller fame) – who reveal the origins of C.W. McCall in a series of Nebraska bread commercials. With its tale of trucker rebellion told through C.B. radios, "Convoy" reflected actual nationwide strikes by truck drivers in the '70s. Historian Meg Jacobs, author of Panic at the Pump: The Energy Crisis and the Transformation of American Politics in the 1970s, explains how the oil crisis of 1973 upended Americans' self-perception as consumers and led to turmoil across the country. Like the song "Convoy" itself, it's an odd, rollicking tale that takes many surprising turns.

Dear Listeners,

For more than 15 years, Sound Opinions was a production of WBEZ, Chicago's public radio station. Now that the show is independent, we're inviting you to join the band and lend a hand! We need your support more than ever because now we have to do all the behind-the-scenes work that WBEZ handled before (like buying insurance and paying for podcast hosting, ugh). Plus, we have some exciting ideas we'd like to try now that there's no one to tell us no!