Ted Leo and the Pharmacists "Bottled in Cork" video features more hidden guests than a Wes Anderson movie
If you're a fan of Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, then you're already going to find the above video enjoyable, regardless of the content. If you're a fan of The Best Show on WFMU (one of our favorite music podcasts, by the way), then you'll find it to be a smorgasbord of guest appearances -- which makes sense considering the video is directed by the Best Show's leader and host, Tom Scharpling.
The video is a bit of a play on ex-punk rockers like Green Day, culminating in a Paul F. Tompkins directed musical that, regardless of a prominent critics (played by John Hodgman) applause, fails miserably. Of course, it's not just Tompkins and Hodgman that make appearances, Titus Andronicus front man Patrick Stickles shows up, as does Julie Klausner, AP Mike and a few other Best Show regulars.
The video also features one of our favorite lines in a music video ever, "He died because he didn't believe in the power of punk." In a time in which most music videos just try to be weird, it's nice to see a straightforward comedy shtick, especially with an all-star cast.
It's both an ode to a changing industry and a critique. With America's obsession with musical theatre, it's no surprise that an aging, but still vibrant punk kid like Ted Leo would have these ideas in the back of his mind. After all, what's more important, selling out or shirt color?
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