Lights, Camera….lyrics! — Actors in Bands
Parents often tell their kids they can be anything when they grow up. And then there are the parents who must have told their kids they can be many things when they grow up. These kids grow up wired with creativity that needs to be plugged into more than one outlet, or they’ll short-circuit. And that includes actors who cross over into writing music and lyrics, and playing in bands. Sure, their starpower might initially get them bookings and audiences, but only true talent keeps ‘em. Here are actors whose tunes and lyrics have solidly established their credibility as musicians:
30 Seconds to Mars
Helmed by Jared Leto (”Panic Room,” “Requiem for a Dream,”), who sings, writes the band’s music and lyrics, and plays guitar, 30 Seconds to Mars is a tight, talented, intense hard rock machine. Their 2002 debut album scored mixed reviews, but their second album went platinum and spawned the singles, “A Beautiful Lie,” “From Yesterday,” and “The Kill,” featuring Leto’s anguished lyrics, “Look in my eyes/You’re killing me, killing me/All I wanted was you.”
Dogstar
No, you have not entered the Matrix — Keanu Reeves really did play bass in a band called Dogstar from 1991 – 2002. They released one EP and two indie-label albums filled with music and lyrics ranging from alternative to power-pop. Although singer Bret Domrose wrote the bulk of the band’s music and lyrics, Reeves wrote a few of Dogstar’s songs, including “Isabelle,” an ode to a friend’s young daughter, and the love song “Round C,” whose title was inspired by — brace yourself — cheese.
Juliette Lewis and the Licks
Actress Juliette Lewis (”Catch and Release,” “Natural Born Killers”) has fronted this hard rock/alternative rock band with her powerful, wild-child interpretation of lyrics and uninhibited gyrations since 2003. Lewis, who had previously sung in the movie, “Strange Days,” became obsessed with forming a band after seeing a Blondie concert. Luckily, she had that moment of truth — she and the Licks kick like a double-shot of Jagermeister. One of their most popular songs, “Hot Kiss,” has lyrics that are as scorching as its music and vocals: “I’m his favorite toy/Like a beach ball/Bang it up and down/Or throw it against the wall.”
The Bacon Brothers Band
Kevin and his older brother, Michael bring home the Bacon on four albums, as well as live shows, where they really cook. Both brothers play guitar, and definitely know their way around a fretboard. Kevin isn’t merely riding on Michael’s coattails — the guy can definitely play. The siblings both write lyrics and music, as well. Kevin wrote these introspective lyrics to one of their best-known songs, “Chop Wood (Carry Water)”: “I want to break this legacy/Change this angry history/And plant a brand-new family tree/I guess the rest is up to me.” Playing music together since childhood, the Bacons have officially been sizzling in a band since 1995.
Being a great actor doesn’t necessarily make someone a great musician. Their fame may give them access to the stage — but their talent for singing, playing, and writing great songs and lyrics will keep them there in a starring role.
About the Author
To find more lyrics by actors in bands, check out Burbler and their newest lyrics by actors moonlighting as musicians.
Barre Chord and Finger Exercises (without having a guitar)
|
|
Josh Groban Live at The Greek (CD/DVD) $5.22 If Josh Groban’s unabashedly melodramatic musical fusion inspires grousing on both sides of the classical/pop pundit divide, the screams of the (mostly) young female fans that punctuate these 2004 performances at L.A.’s historic Greek theater better underscore the real point. This set’s CD and more expansive DVD complement each other well; if anything, supplemented by a live string ensemble and cr… |
|
|
From Russia with Love [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] $4.98 After the surprise success of 1962’s Dr. No, the producers of the budding James Bond series began to establish what would become its trademark elements, with its debonair anti-hero frolicking libidinously through increasingly amped-up foreign intrigue and exotic locales. Musically, this soundtrack represents perhaps their most crucial decision: hiring band leader/budding composer John Barry as sco… |
|
|
Deer Hunter: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack $6.44 … |
|
|
More Songs from Glee: Music from the FOX Television Show (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook) $10.25 Fifteen more hits exposed to millions on this smash show: And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going * Dancing with Myself * Defying Gravity * Don’t Rain on My Parade * Endless Love * I’ll Stand by You * Imagine * Jump * Lean on Me * My Life Would Suck Without You * Proud Mary * Smile * Sweet Caroline * Taking Chances * True Colors…. |
|
|
Paperback Songs: Classic Rock: Melody Line, Chords and Lyric for Keyboard, Guitar, Vocal $3.99 This terrific collection contains the melody lines, chords, and lyrics to 89 classic rock songs, including: American Woman ? Another One Bites The Dust ? Back In The U.S.S.R. ? Born To Be Wild ? Cocaine ? Dream On ? Free Ride ? Layla ? Start Me Up ? Walk This Way ? and many more. Includes a section of guitar chord diagrams. A Whiter Shade Of Pale Addicted To Love All Right Now American Woman … |
|
|
American Idiot (Pvg) $12.10 American Idiot was nominated for six Grammy Awards and won Best Rock Album of the Year. The album is politically charged and communicates what it is like to be living during these disturbing and confusing times, while managing to keep Green Day’s trademark musical punk-rock sound that fans love. Now available for piano/vocal/chords, this album-matching folio includes full melody, lyrics, and piano… |
