ReRuns: ‘I’m In The Band,’ the Disney XD Show That Weaseled Its Way Into Obscurity

It’s late in the evening when — like clockwork — my brain starts plaguing me with nostalgia from my childhood. To satisfy this sudden urge to feel like a kid again, I put on my pajamas and fuzzy socks my grandma so kindly got me for Christmas, and open up Disney+. All this only to get my night ruined when I type “I’m In The Band” in the search bar for nothing to pop up. 

The mouse’s erasure of Disney XD’s most niche program, “I’m In The Band,” is despicable, and as one of the only remaining fans of Iron Weasel, I will not let their story or soundtrack go down in vain.

The show, which officially premiered Jan. 18, 2010 with an episode titled “Weasels in the House,” follows the precocious Tripp Campbell (Logan Miller), who’s always dreamed of being a member of ’80s rock band Iron Weasel, consisting of lead singer — and sex symbol — Derek Jupiter (Steve Valentine), doofus drummer Ash Tyler (Stephen Full) and ditzy bass player Burger Pitt (Greg Baker). 

When Tripp wins a radio contest that grants him the opportunity to meet his heroes, he finds out the decrepit rock stars are out of money, a home and hope. 

To make his dreams a reality, Tripp offers the band his home and a shot at resurgence in exchange for being their guitarist, setting the stage for the remainder of the series. 

The musical sitcom’s 41-episode run featured a ridiculously catchy soundtrack, a crossover episode with Suite Life on Deck and guest star appearances from NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice and the late, great Alan Thicke before ending on Dec. 9, 2011. 

The show’s opening montage and theme song are ingrained in my memory. Hearing the guitar riff of “Weasel Rock You” — the series’ theme song — every morning at 11 a.m. on Disney XD after slaving away at kindergarten sent me into a flow state.

I can’t make sense of why Disney doesn’t have the show accessible on their streaming platform, Disney+. It has other XD classics such as “Pair of Kings” and “Kickin’ It.” Hell, even “Zeke and Luther” made the cut, so why not “I’m In The Band”?

In fact, the show can only be viewed and bought on Apple TV — a travesty, truly. 

Given that the whole premise of the show was giving the band another go at relevancy, it seems I hold the responsibility of telling the masses about this hidden gem that resides in Disney’s vault.

The acting performances from this cast deserve recognition. Valentine (“Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie,” “Crossing Jordan”) did an impeccable job of portraying a Mick Jagger dupe with the flair of Captain Jack Sparrow, while Full (“Dog with a Blog,” “Santa Clarita Diet”) and Baker (“Hannah Montana,” “Sports Night”) mastered the art of playing idiotic characters in a way that’s believable and laughable without ever feeling stale.

Similarly, the soundtrack can not be found on streaming except for “Smells Like Fun” and “Rock Hard or Go Home.” The former, a single that premiered on the crossover episode “Weasels on Deck,” is the fictional band’s imitation of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” — and I would argue Iron Weasel has the better track. The latter is available under the “Camp Rock 2: Final Jam” soundtrack, as it was featured in the background of a scene.

While those tracks are great, I need the rock ballad “I Got Your Back,” performed by Tripp’s best friend Izzy Fuentes (Caitlyn Taylor Love) and accompanied by Iron Weasel, on streaming yesterday — as well as the Halloween anthem of all anthems, “Spiders, Snakes, Clowns.”

Tears fill my eyes when Jupiter sings the power ballad “Face Down in A Plate of Nachos.” 

“My heart is numb, my face is number / Guacamole is on my head / Now my wounds are full of salsa / I kinda wish I was eating bread,” Jupiter sings forlornly.

Peak lyricism, vocals, instrumentation — this show had it all. The soundtrack can go toe-to-toe with the likes of “Victorious,” “Hannah Montana” or any Disney Channel Original Movie. 

“I’m In The Band” remains a highlight and soundtrack to my childhood that other generations deserve to witness.

“I’m In The Band” is available to stream on Apple TV.