Last Updated on January 16, 2026
In this episode, we dive into the slightly baffling and often hilarious world of musicians turning up in films that have absolutely nothing to do with their own music. Some do it well. Some… should’ve just stayed on stage. From Joe Strummer’s pigeon-themed songwriting to Damon Albarn’s dodgy gangster role, we shine a flashlight on cinema’s most unexpected rock star cameos.
Expect righteous rambling, questionable facts, and a whole lot of chaos as Andrew and Dr. Sam chew over:
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Flea appearing in Back to the Future II as a race-happy chancer
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Joe Strummer pretending a traffic cone is a megaphone
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David Bowie’s aggressively tight trousers in Labyrinth
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Placebo showing up in Velvet Goldmine dressed like sexy peacocks
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Tom Waits being better at acting than most actual actors
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Tim Armstrong from Rancid randomly playing a tramp in The X-Files
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And that time a song was written just to impress a member of Bananarama
Also in this episode: We slag off Spotify for kicking us off their platform, complain about camping at festivals (again), and attempt to remember what the word “railway” sounds like without sounding like we’ve joined the Bullingdon Club.
This one’s for the cinephile who loves music, or the punk who accidentally sat through Straight to Hell thinking it was a Clash documentary.
Subscribe, tune in, and remember: just because you’re in a band doesn’t mean you should be in a film.
Riffs of the Week Dr Sam’s Riff
- Alpha Male Tea Party – Probably Just Hungry
Andrew’s Riff
- Ditz – Don Enzo Magic Carpet Salesman
Dr Sam’s Track Choices
- Joe Strummer – Evil Darling
- Alan Silvestri – 4 x 4
- Tom Waits – Kommienezuspadt
- Rancid – Rats in the Hallway
Andrew’s Track Choices
- Spandau Ballet – True
- Placebo – 20th Century Boy
- Blur – Sing
- David Bowie – Magic Dance
Email us – beatmotel@lawsie.com
