This one was kinda silly. And yet, it does an admirable job of tackling something very difficult to do on television: inventing a band that sounds and acts like a real band. Doxxxology are a one-hit-wonder metal band a few decades past their prime, and none of them can stand their hit, but audiences demand they keep playing it. Singer Ruby Ruin (Chloë Sevingy) works at Home Depot in between tours, which consist of middle-aged has-beens grooving in a van, in between shows for disinterested bar patrons who only perk up when they hear “Staplehead,” the band’s one hit. They’re like a thousand other bands whose brief moment has passed, but whose members aren’t quite ready to let go of the dream.
And in the most impressive feat of realism, Doxxxology sounds exactly like they should. “Staplehead” sounds like it could have been a minor hit in the ’90s. Their other songs sound okay but also explain why the band never had a second hit. Credit John Darnielle from The Mountain Goats (who also plays Al, the band’s guitarist, and comported himself well in his first-ever acting gig) and Jamey Jasta from Hatebreed, who co-wrote the band’s repertoire.
And, like so many struggling bands, they can’t keep a steady drummer. Enter Gavin, the over-enthusiastic and under-showered newest band member, who was still in diapers back when “Staplehead” was a hit. He plays well, he’s ready to tour on short notice, he loves the band… and he’s incredibly annoying. He leaves food wrappers everywhere. He goes barefoot in the car. And he has boundless, puppyish enthusiasm for a band whose other members see Doxxxology, and “Staplehead” in particular, as a millstone around their necks… read more >
