From wiz-rock to Twi-rock to rebel princesses: bookish bands are readin' and rockin'

     Joe and Paul DeGeorge of Harry and the Potters

For today's young lit lovers, book fan clubs are so last century. If you're a crazed Potterhead or dream of Edward Cullen at night, what's the hip new way to express your passion? Start a band of course.

Bands dedicated to all things Harry Potter have sprung up across the globe faster than tentacles on the face of a Slytherin after Ginny's thrown a bat bogey hex. Wizrocklopedia and WizardRock, two sites that keep fans updated on the goings-on in the world of wiz-rock, have cataloged over 200 Potter themed bands.

The names of these groups alone are worth a million galleons: The Avada Kedavras, We-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Gilderoy and the Lockharts, Lemon Drops and Blood Pops, and The Prisoners of Azkaban are just a taste. My personal favorites are Accio Brain, 50 Points from Slytherin, Azkaban Breakout, The Remus Lupins, and Umbridge and the Technicolor Kittens.

         Oklahoma's Ginny and the Heartbreakers

And, regardless of what you may think about rock bands called The Hungarian Horntails with members aged ten and under, the music put out by wiz-rockers is fun, creative, and overwhelmingly witty.

Consider these lyrics from the Harry and the Potters' song, "Human Hosepipe":

Well, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned Hermione/ And maybe you shouldn't have brought up Cedric Diggory/ because I'd rather not talk about your dead ex-boyfriends over coffee./ And why'd you have to bring up Roger Davies when he's sitting right there with his tea?

 Or this bit from "Tom Felton's Kinda Hot" by Draco and the Malfoys:

They're making movies about my years at Hogwarts/ And they had to pick just the right one/ To represent me/ On the silver screen/ And I've got to say they've got it spot on./ 'Cause he's a swell guy we all like alot/...And even though I'm straight/ I'm not ashamed to say/ Tom Felton's kinda hot.

Most wiz-rockers perform to rambunctiously enthusiatic crowds in libraries and schools; take a look at this video of Harry and the Potters performing "Save Ginny Weasley From Dean Thomas." The quality isn't the greatest, but it's the reaction of the crowd that is absolutely priceless:

Potter fans aren't the only ones to put their enthusiasm to music.: Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series has spawned bands like the Bella Cullen Project, The Mitch Hansen Band, Be Safe Bella, and Bella Rocks. Here is a music video put together by the Bella Cullen Project for their song, "Out of the Blue":

The dedication of Twi-rockers and wiz-rockers to their respective books has led to some good-natured ribbing between the two camps, like in The Moaning Myrtles' song, "Cedric," where they lament Cedric Diggory's resurrection as vampire gentleman Edward Cullen in the upcoming film adaptation of Twilight (see the trailer here):

Oh, Cedric, I can't believe you are dead/ Oh, Cedric, now you're in Twilight instead/ Oh, Cedric, vampires are no fun to haunt/ Oh, but Edward, you can bite me if you want.

Now, a new bunch of rocking book lovers are joining the fray, spearheaded by the Switchblade Kittens whose latest CD, Rebel Princess is based on--you guessed it--Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries series.

While wiz-rock and Twi-rock have flourished with little more than a friendly nod from Rowling and Meyer, Meg Cabot isn't just officially endorsing the Rebel Princess CD, she'll be going on tour with the Swichblade Kittens.

Hopefully, Rebel Princess is an indication that bookish bands are a trend that is here to stay. I can think of more than a few lit bands that I'd love to see: why not Hitchhiker rock? (The Arthur Dents, The Ford Prefects, 42); or Dune rock? (Melange; The Kwitsatz Haderachs, the Muad' Dibs) or maybe more classic bands to lend a little diversity (The Oliver Twists, The Elizabeth Darcy Project).

If you're part of a lit rock band or know of one near you, email me about them at michellekerns@surewest.net  And send a picture if you can!