Monday mp3some: Movie bands

With another year of Oscars in the books, this week’s mp3some features real bands making great movie cameos:

“Million Miles Away,” The Plimsouls

The film: “Valley Girl” (1983)

Notable: One of Nic Cage’s first (and best) roles featured the power poppy Plimsouls as a “scary” Hollywood punk band. For dramatic effect, it worked, but the real L.A. punk scene at the time featured bands like X and Black Flag.

“Can’t Get Enough of Your Love,” The Afghan Whigs

The film: “Beautiful Girls” (1996)

Notable: Director Ted Demme’s star-studded coming-of-age drama featured Cincinnati’s soul-tinged rockers (frontman Greg Dulli was Demme’s best friend) as a Boston bar band covering Barry White.

“Shout,” Otis Day and the Knights

The film: “Animal House” (1978)

Notable: In a great piece of life imitating art, this band of real musicians (you’ll notice Robert Cray in this scene) was assembled for the film, but continued to play together afterward..and still do to this day.