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Figrin d an and the modal nodes mad about me
Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes (also known as the Cantina Band) is a fictional band from George Lucas's science fiction saga Star Wars, first appearing in the original 1977 film Star Wars.
Contents
They are depicted as hairless aliens with dome-shaped heads and round, black eyes, a race called Biths. They are seen in the Mos Eisley Cantina sequence. The band is also featured in the short story "We Don't Do Weddings: The Band's Tale" by Kathy Tyers in the anthology Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina (1995). They were parodied in the film Team America: World Police.
Their most famous composition, an up-tempo instrumental, is named, on the original soundtrack, as "Cantina Band", and is credited to the composer John Williams. In subsequent fictional spinoffs, including "Empire Blues" by Daniel Keys Moran and Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina, the piece is identified as being titled "Mad About Me". The 1993 Anthology version of the soundtrack and 1997 Special Edition version included a second cue, titled "Cantina Band #2". This mid-tempo track was heard in the original film, but was previously unreleased.
Storyline
The band is made up of seven members, all Bith from the planet Clak'dor VII. The leader of the band is Figrin D'an, as the name clearly implies.
The band was popular across the galaxy during the Clone Wars, touring the frontlines and entertaining Republic soldiers. By the time Luke Skywalker reached adulthood, however, they were reduced to playing in seedy cantinas for a living. Only six of the members were playing when Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi walked into the Cantina. Lirin Car'n sat out during the performance, because he was not needed.
Behind the scenes
The band may have been portrayed by Rick Baker, Phil Tippett, Jon Berg, Laine Liska and Doug Beswick. In 2006, as part of its Commemorative Tin Collection, Hasbro created a set of action figures of the band, which it sold through Walmart. Each figure came with its own instrument.
In 1977, musician Meco released a disco single of the original cantina tune mixed with John Williams' main title theme (along with several R2-D2 sound effects), under the title "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band." The track reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in August, and was certified platinum; it even outsold the release of the official Star Wars theme by the London Symphony Orchestra. The single appeared on an EP titled Star Wars and other Galactic Funk, which was also released the same year.
Alternative band Ash released a cover version of the tune as the B-side of its single "Girl From Mars" in 1995. The Asylum Street Spankers play the tune in an interlude from "Digga Digga Doo," a song from their 2004 album Mercurial. A bluegrass version of the song is performed by Syd Masters & The Swing Riders in the 2011 film Paul during a bar scene and is included on the motion picture soundtrack.