Actors turned indie rockers

Billy Bob Thornton (The Boxmasters)

Main claims to fame: Playing lovable lowlifes in films like “Bad Santa,” “School for Scoundrels” and “Monster’s Ball”; being married to Angelina Jolie in her crazy, pre-Brad Pitt years; flipping out on a Canadian radio DJ who mentioned Thornton's acting career during an interview with his band, the Boxmasters.

Indie credentials: Released several solo albums of outlaw country and feisty roots-rock that included collaborations with such indie-cred godfathers as Dwight Yoakam and Warren Zevon; in 2007, formed a rockabilly trio called the Boxmasters, in which he sings and plays drums. The band is signed to Vanguard Records, an indie roots/Americana label.

What the critics are saying: “Boxmaster Billy Bob Thornton's recent radio meltdown begged to be heard over and over. The same can't be said of this unmemorable collection.” – Entertainment Weekly

Random factoid: The ever-eccentric Thornton once confessed to an interviewer that he has a phobia regarding antique furniture. “Pieces from 1700 and 1800 France and England really freak me out, especially harpsichords,” he told the Web site Women.com.