I agree that your examples sound awkward, but they are grammatically correct.Thanks, Bev and Ms. Mod for the help on this. I agree with the advice here (wish I had noticed the comma issue; then again, I think I probably didn't know the rule to begin with).
However, it's interesting about the word "couple" -- that is considered usually plural in nature? I always get confused on some words like that. For instance, the term "police" is usually associated with "are," but my instinct is to always think of that as a singular institution (I always use are, though). But if I use a band name in a sentence, I tend to use is, although admittedly I'm always uncomfortable with that; plus, I probably don't always do it. I suppose, too, it depends on the context of the sentence.
The Monkees is an amazing musical business model.
But...
The Monkees is coming to town sounds awkward, but Cheap Trick are coming to town also seems awkward.
You can use a plural verb with The Monkees when speaking of them individually: The Monkees are playing different instruments.