Ear on TV: Week of 11.30.09: Band of Skulls

Most would assume that bands were clamoring to get in New Moon's soundtrack, but for many, like the UK's Band of Skulls, it wasn't even on their radar. In fact, the band found out via the Los Angeles Times that a demo they'd recorded after finishing their debut album (Baby Darling Doll Face Honey) had been pegged for inclusion. It wasn't until singer/guitarist Russell Marsden spoke to his 22-year old sister that the band began to understand just how a big deal it was getting the song ("Friends") on the soundtrack.

The band performs on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Friday night, likely playing the soundtrack contribution in the wake of the film's success. They've had a streak of good television and film inclusions, between the song "I Know What I Am" getting used in an iPod commercial and "Blood" getting placement in this past season of True Blood. Two vampire franchises in one year? Does the band like vampires? "No," said Mardsen, before they performed at the movie premiere, "they're not very nice." Similarly, they had no interest in meeting the film's stars, preferring instead to checkout fellow performers Sea Wolf (who who are also on the calendar this week playing The Bonnie Hunt Show on Tuesday).

Meanwhile, Oscar winners Glenn Hansard and Marketa Irglova (The Swell Season), have warmed up to tinseltown a bit since becoming the toast of the ceremony in 2007, after their win for Once. Take their performance in Los Angeles this past week, where actor Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, How I Met Your Mother) joined the band on stage to perform his own special composition. The band joined in for what turned out to be a musical pick-up line, referencing his penis and even including a real phone number to call for some action. I doubt Segel will be around when the band plays The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Monday night, but it gives me the perfect opportunity to embed the video (below).



Finally, it's the second installment of IFC's Dinner With the Band, which this week will be a much less crowded set featuring Owen Pallett, aka Final Fantasy. On the menu is This Lamb Sells Razor Clam Ragu, and plenty of twisted violin pop from Final Fantasy. Both sound delectable in their own way.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Death Cab for Cutie (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Weezer (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Swell Season
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Bat For Lashes (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: Live With Regis and Kelly: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson
Tuesday, December 1
IFC: Dinner WIth the Band: Final Fantasy
FOX: Lopez Tonight: The Bravery
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Rickie Lee Jones
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Avett Brothers (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Cold War Kids (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Bonnie Hunt Show: Sea Wolf
Wednesday, December 2
CBS: Grammy Nominations Concert Live!: Maxwell, Sugarland, Black Eyed Peas, LL Cool J
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Cribs with Johnny Marr (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Raveonettes
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, The Police (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Obits (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Lily Allen (REPEAT)
Thursday, December 3
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Mika (REPEAT)
FOX: Lopez Tonight: Los Lobos
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: The Big Pink
NBC: The Jay Leno Show: Maxwell
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Phoenix (REPEAT)
Friday, December 4
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Band of Skulls
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Wale (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Keane (REPEAT)
Saturday, December 5
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: David Gray
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Rihanna