Portland independent label continues unique charity-driven compilation series
LONDON — Portland-based independent record label Drunk Dial Records is set to release Fakes – Volume Three on 23 June 2026, the latest instalment in its ongoing compilation series dedicated to fictional bands from film and television. Available digitally and on cassette, the new collection combines punk, garage rock and indie music with a charitable mission, with all proceeds supporting Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), an international nonprofit organisation that provides legal and psychosocial assistance to unaccompanied and separated refugee and migrant children.
The third volume in the series features 13 tracks performed by artists from across North America, each covering songs originally associated with fictional bands that have become enduring fixtures of popular culture. Among the acts revisited are The Archies, Robin Sparkles, Sex Bob-omb, Jesse and the Rippers and Spinal Tap — groups that began as fictional creations but have since developed lasting cultural significance among music and entertainment fans.
From a barroom joke to a distinctive underground label
Drunk Dial Records traces its origins to an idea conceived in a bar, when founders jokingly asked: “What if there was a record label that convinced bands to get super drunk and then make a record?”
What started as a humorous concept evolved into a defining philosophy for the Portland label. Rather than focusing on polished studio perfection, Drunk Dial built its reputation around spontaneity, raw performances and creative experimentation. The label became known for encouraging musicians to step outside conventional recording methods, embracing imperfections and unpredictability as part of the artistic process.
That ethos has carried over into the Fakes compilation series, which transforms nostalgia for fictional bands into a collaborative project that celebrates underground music culture while supporting charitable causes.
A tribute to pop culture’s most memorable fictional musicians
Fakes – Volume Three draws from a broad range of film and television references, creating a collection that bridges punk energy, comedy and cultural nostalgia.
Among the highlights, Vancouver punk outfit Night Court delivers an energetic interpretation of “Everybody Wants Something,” originally performed by Degrassi’s fictional band The Zits. Denver-based group SPELLS contributes a frenetic rendition of “The Thermos Song” from the comedy classic The Jerk, while Keddies Resort revisits Sex Bob-omb’s “Garbage Truck” from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Elsewhere on the album, TV Cop revives Full House favourites Jesse and the Rippers with a version of “I Belong to You,” balancing sincerity with humour. The Chugs tackle Adam Sandler’s emotionally charged “Somebody Kill Me Please” from The Wedding Singer, while Sex Mex reinterprets Spinal Tap’s psychedelic parody “Listen to the Flower People.”
The compilation moves effortlessly between cartoon-inspired bubblegum pop, cult-comedy references and punk-driven reinterpretations, reflecting the diverse influences that have shaped both underground music communities and popular entertainment.
Building a community through shared musical memories
Beyond its tracklist, Fakes – Volume Three reflects Drunk Dial’s broader commitment to community and storytelling. The label has consistently positioned music as something more enduring than disposable content, treating songs and scenes as cultural folklore passed between friends, record collectors and concert-goers.
Previous entries in the Fakes series featured contributions from musicians including Josh Berwanger of The Anniversary, Andrew Bassett of Mean Jeans, Suzy True, Personality Cult, Heavy Lag and Ian MacDougall of Riverboat Gamblers.
The latest volume expands that network further, bringing together veteran punk musicians, garage rock enthusiasts and indie artists united by a shared appreciation for the fictional bands that influenced their love of music.
Music with a charitable purpose
While the album celebrates pop culture nostalgia, its charitable focus remains central to the project. By directing all proceeds to KIND, Drunk Dial continues its practice of pairing each Fakes release with a different nonprofit organisation.
The initiative allows the label to channel enthusiasm for underground music and cult entertainment into meaningful support for vulnerable children facing complex migration and refugee challenges.
As a result, Fakes – Volume Three serves not only as a tribute to fictional bands but also as an example of how independent music communities can use creative projects to support wider social causes.
For fans of punk, garage rock and indie music, the compilation offers a spirited collection of performances. For Drunk Dial Records, it represents another chapter in a project that blurs the boundaries between fiction and reality, celebrating the enduring influence of bands that never truly existed — yet somehow became real in the minds of listeners.
“Friendly zombie fanatic. Analyst. Coffee buff. Professional music specialist. Communicator.”
