Many of our favorite decade’s artists moonlight as actors. In particular, Courtney Love has been earning rave reviews for her portrayal of her exaggerated self on the FOX mega-hit Empire. Let’s take a look at some notable ’90s rocker appearances on TV. They cover memorable musical performances and some downright bizarre roles.
Elle Dallas is about as meta as Love could go when it comes to her thespian side. The downtrodden former grunge goddess seeks helps from the tenacious Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) to revive her flagging career. Too bad a dependence on drugs hampers Dallas’ efforts. But it makes for Love’s most potent role since starring in 1996’s The People vs. Larry Flynt. She also paid a visit to Sons of Anarchy recently and will show up on Revenge in a recurring role starting March 29, 2015.More »
Years after her band, Garbage, came out with the cyber-minded Version 2.0, the singer continued her machinations. On the 2008-2009 series, Manson played the steely tech firm CEO who turned out to be a T-1001. Wonder if she took any pointers from Terminator 2 baddie Robert Patrick, brother of Richard Patrick of another ’90s Rock band, Filter.More »
They toiled in the underground for nearly a decade before 1993’s “She Don’t Use Jelly” propelled the Oklahoma curios into stardom. Wayne Coyne and the fellows were invited to play 90210’s Peach Pit, much to the chagrin of too-cool characters like Tori Spelling’s Donna. Their performance did earn a few alternative converts, with Ian Ziering’s Steve stating, “Well, it’s not Michael Bolton.” To say the least.More »
Who wouldn’t want Kim Gordon to officiate his or her wedding? The boss bassist joins two older characters in holy matrimony in this CW show. Additionally, Sonic Youth perform a mellow version of “Starpower” as wealthy attendees solemnly slow dance. They couldn’t have pepped up the party with “100%”? (The video clip is in Italian, but the SY song is in that hipster New York dialect the band made so cool in their three-decade reign.)More »
R.E.M.’s normally enigmatic front man became a “bona fide Sludgesicle man” in this Nickelodeon special. Alongside Kate Pierson of the B-52’s and Iggy Pop, Stipe showed his wacky side as Captain Scrummy, a pushy ice cream vendor. It’s probably the most forceful the known pacifist has ever been.More »
The NBC cult-hit comedy wasn’t Letters to Cleo’s first rodeo. The bubbly band were famous for their rooftop performance of Cheap Trick’s “I Want You To Want Me” at the end of 10 Things I Hate About You. Although, in this very special episode of Parks and Rec, Kay Hanley and co. sing a song in honor of Pawnee town mascot Li’l Sebastian. With Ginuwine, no less.More »
When Drew Carey and his pals formed the coolest band in Cleveland, they needed a guitarist to fill out the lineup. Boy, did they get more than they bargained for— virtuoso Slash, coffee shop maven Loeb and alternative poster boy Sweet all showed up. Ultimately, the trio chose Joe Walsh of the Eagles because of his “sloppy” playing.More »
Grab your hanky and reminisce about one of the most emotional scenes from the show that made Claire Danes and Jared Leto celebrities. Juliana Hatfield guest stars as a homeless girl with the voice of an angel who helps Angela (Danes) find her missing friend, Rickie (Wilson Cruz). Her “Make It Home” was never as touching as it was in this MSCL moment.More »
Ever the theatrical performer, the shock rocker landed the role of white supremacist Ron Tully in the final season of this FX motorcycle gang soap opera. His eerie, unhinged delivery was very much in the vein of his infamous persona. (For lighter fare, might we recommend the time Manson tried out for a spooky story club?)More »
Courtney Love - "Empire"
Elle Dallas is about as meta as Love could go when it comes to her thespian side. The downtrodden former grunge goddess seeks helps from the tenacious Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) to revive her flagging career. Too bad a dependence on drugs hampers Dallas’ efforts. But it makes for Love’s most potent role since starring in 1996’s The People vs. Larry Flynt. She also paid a visit to Sons of Anarchy recently and will show up on Revenge in a recurring role starting March 29, 2015.More »
Shirley Manson - "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles"
Years after her band, Garbage, came out with the cyber-minded Version 2.0, the singer continued her machinations. On the 2008-2009 series, Manson played the steely tech firm CEO who turned out to be a T-1001. Wonder if she took any pointers from Terminator 2 baddie Robert Patrick, brother of Richard Patrick of another ’90s Rock band, Filter.More »
The Flaming Lips - "Beverly Hills, 90210"
They toiled in the underground for nearly a decade before 1993’s “She Don’t Use Jelly” propelled the Oklahoma curios into stardom. Wayne Coyne and the fellows were invited to play 90210’s Peach Pit, much to the chagrin of too-cool characters like Tori Spelling’s Donna. Their performance did earn a few alternative converts, with Ian Ziering’s Steve stating, “Well, it’s not Michael Bolton.” To say the least.More »
Sonic Youth - "Gossip Girl"
Who wouldn’t want Kim Gordon to officiate his or her wedding? The boss bassist joins two older characters in holy matrimony in this CW show. Additionally, Sonic Youth perform a mellow version of “Starpower” as wealthy attendees solemnly slow dance. They couldn’t have pepped up the party with “100%”? (The video clip is in Italian, but the SY song is in that hipster New York dialect the band made so cool in their three-decade reign.)More »
Michael Stipe - "The Adventures of Pete & Pete"
R.E.M.’s normally enigmatic front man became a “bona fide Sludgesicle man” in this Nickelodeon special. Alongside Kate Pierson of the B-52’s and Iggy Pop, Stipe showed his wacky side as Captain Scrummy, a pushy ice cream vendor. It’s probably the most forceful the known pacifist has ever been.More »
Letters to Cleo - "Parks and Recreation"
The NBC cult-hit comedy wasn’t Letters to Cleo’s first rodeo. The bubbly band were famous for their rooftop performance of Cheap Trick’s “I Want You To Want Me” at the end of 10 Things I Hate About You. Although, in this very special episode of Parks and Rec, Kay Hanley and co. sing a song in honor of Pawnee town mascot Li’l Sebastian. With Ginuwine, no less.More »
Slash, Lisa Loeb, Matthew Sweet, etc. - "The Drew Carey Show"
When Drew Carey and his pals formed the coolest band in Cleveland, they needed a guitarist to fill out the lineup. Boy, did they get more than they bargained for— virtuoso Slash, coffee shop maven Loeb and alternative poster boy Sweet all showed up. Ultimately, the trio chose Joe Walsh of the Eagles because of his “sloppy” playing.More »
Juliana Hatfield - "My So-Called Life"
Grab your hanky and reminisce about one of the most emotional scenes from the show that made Claire Danes and Jared Leto celebrities. Juliana Hatfield guest stars as a homeless girl with the voice of an angel who helps Angela (Danes) find her missing friend, Rickie (Wilson Cruz). Her “Make It Home” was never as touching as it was in this MSCL moment.More »
Marilyn Manson - "Sons of Anarchy"
Ever the theatrical performer, the shock rocker landed the role of white supremacist Ron Tully in the final season of this FX motorcycle gang soap opera. His eerie, unhinged delivery was very much in the vein of his infamous persona. (For lighter fare, might we recommend the time Manson tried out for a spooky story club?)More »
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