Wiktionary
adv. (context idiomatic English) Very vigorously; at a frantic pace; to a high degree; in large quantity.
Wikipedia
To Beat the Band is a 1935 American romantic comedy directed by Ben Stoloff using a screenplay by Rian James based on a story by George Marion, Jr.. The film stars Hugh Herbert, Helen Broderick, Roger Pryor, and Fred Keating, and features Johnny Mercer in a small role. It was released by RKO Radio Pictures on November 8, 1935.
Usage examples of "to beat the band".
He coughed and did his best not to inhale, but his eyes started watering to beat the band in spite of the improved ventilation the shattered bay window gave the kitchen.
If he spoke in front of an audience, people would go nuts, whooping and hollering and cheering to beat the band.
The crowds were everywhere now, massed on the pavements, waving from the windows, crouching precariously on railings, and all yelling to beat the band.
She gave Rusty, who was grinning to beat the band, a pointed glower.
On one column hung a bird-cage in which a three-headed cockatoo was singing to beat the band.
The next day, when Abby Tedesky emerged--fresh from a shower and dressed to beat the band--to start her day, there was no air in the rented car's tires.
And even if I would have known that dating you would make me decompose to beat the band, I wouldn't have changed a thing, that's how much I've treasured our time together.
His head throbbed to beat the band: if he'd emptied that last half-glass he doubted he could have even stood up.
Pilkington before the notices appeared and shaking his head sadly and talking about the misleading hopes which young authors so often draw from an enthusiastic first-night reception and impressing upon him that first-night receptions do not deceive your expert who has been fifteen years in the show-business and mentioning gloomily that he had heard a coupla the critics roastin' the show to beat the band—.