I need goofy, fun music!

August 13, 2004 8:35 AM

Sometimes I like goofy fun music, songs with a sense of humor, music that occasionally kinda makes fun of itself. Stuff like Gorky's Zygotic Mynci and The Men in Black by the Stranglers (especially Waltz in Black) and Klark Kent and TMBG. Does anyone have any suggestions for groups in a slightly similar vein?

I guess Wire sometimes fits into this group, maybe with songs like Kidney Bingos and Cheeking Tongues, but then sometimes Wire is heavy too, abstract and often nonsensical but heavy with emotion and mood.

XTC does some goofy, light fun stuff.

Ehh, maybe you know what I mean.

posted by Shane to Media & Arts (35 answers total)

Moxy Fruvous.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 8:42 AM on August 13, 2004

Frank Black's Teenager of the Year is extremely goofy.

The rest of his solo stuff, not so much.
posted by COBRA! at 8:43 AM on August 13, 2004

Atom and His Package? Weird Paul? MC Chris? MC Frontalot? If you want music with funny/ironic lyrics that's actually *listenable* there's always Clem Snide.
posted by emptybowl at 8:45 AM on August 13, 2004

southern culture on the skids, the cramps. i also put bands like pizzicato5, shonen knife and the dance hall crashers in this category.

i also put material issue in that vein, but people may not agree with me.

oh and the murmurs one-hit "you suck" while probably not intended to make fun of itself really does.
posted by crush-onastick at 8:47 AM on August 13, 2004

The Arrogant Worms are hilarious. They are expecially funny for Canadians since they alternate between prideful ("The War of 1812") and self-mocking ("We Are The Beaver" and "Ontario Sucks") on various topics. But everyone should definately check them out, especially if you like TMBG!
posted by nelleish at 8:54 AM on August 13, 2004

I think you might really like The Bran Flakes, Shane - lots of fun to listen to. Two of them are metafilter members, too - mildred-pitt and otisfodder, who has some great music projects on his personal site.
posted by iconomy at 8:54 AM on August 13, 2004

if you dig punk rock...then The Vandals is where its at. Especially the CD "Hitler Bad. Vandals Good" The track "I've Got an Ape Drape" worth the price of admission.
posted by ShawnString at 8:58 AM on August 13, 2004

You might like Camper Van Beethoven's early stuff.
posted by interrobang at 9:01 AM on August 13, 2004

Logan Whitehurst and the Junior Science Club. You can download "Robot Cat" and "Me and the Snowman" here.
posted by yarmond at 9:10 AM on August 13, 2004

Too Much Joy. Albums include "Green Eggs and Crack" and "Son of Sam I Am," and they were sued by Bozo the Clown.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:14 AM on August 13, 2004

MC Paul Barman. Clever, clever man.
posted by Mayor Curley at 9:15 AM on August 13, 2004

Pianosaurus plays all of their music on toy instruments. So much fun to listen to! (Hi Shane!)
posted by boomchicka at 9:19 AM on August 13, 2004

Here is a Pitchfork review of The Frogs. Self is damn funny too, and one of his albums is also on toy instruments. (Hi Shane)
posted by sciurus at 9:26 AM on August 13, 2004

The correct answer to this question would be The Dead Milkmen!
posted by punkrockrat at 9:33 AM on August 13, 2004

Response by poster: Wow, cool, very cool.

I think inanity is a key word I should have thrown in, but you all got the idea!

People (including vraxoin) are always pushing Fruvous on me, so I'll check 'em out quick. I've seen SCotS (Southern Culture...) live, and they're a barrel-o-fun, like most rockabilly (Tenderloin, Supersuckers, Horton Heat). Rockabilly shows are great.

They're not goofy (well, the band is goofy, but the music isn't totally goofy, anyway), but for some reason I feel compelled to mention the Muffs (oo, new CD two days ago!), especially Blonder and Blonder. Just absolute pure punk hard-driving guitar fun.

Really, the Ramones fit right in too.

Thanks! I'll check all these out. Last P2P I used to sample stuff was LimeWire, so I guess it's time to move on...

Ha! Sued by Bozo? That's one helluva recommendation! (Hi Kris!)
posted by Shane at 10:19 AM on August 13, 2004

Not my kind of thing, but you might also try the Dr. Demento site.
posted by milovoo at 10:22 AM on August 13, 2004

Moldy Peaches, The Tiger Lillies, & maybe some Momus. I also second the Frogs suggestion.
posted by obloquy at 10:33 AM on August 13, 2004

The Vaselines. Nirvana covered a couple of their songs ("Molly's Lips" and "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam").

And if you can find it, Have Moicy! by a bunch of guys including the Unholy Modal Rounders, Peter Stampfel, Jeffrey Fredericks & the Clamtones, and Michael Hurley. It'll be in the folk section.
posted by LionIndex at 11:13 AM on August 13, 2004

Ugly Duckling. They're music tends to have a good sense of humor in general, but they are particularly enjoyable when they make fun of their lack of popularity/success/wealth/etc. Two such tracks that come to mind are "Opening Act" and "A Little Samba."

Also - the entire concept of Tenacious D is sort of a half-joke, but they actually have some decent music, some of which is pretty funny.
posted by rorycberger at 11:15 AM on August 13, 2004

The Tiger Lillies!
posted by cmonkey at 11:22 AM on August 13, 2004

The soundtrack to Dead And Breakfast is funny. The song "Quiet Little Town" contains spoilers, so don't hear it if you wanna see the movie.
posted by riffola at 11:28 AM on August 13, 2004

Both of these bands are pretty X-rated but very funny:
1. Dick Delicious and the Tasty Testicles[nsfw]
2. The Cocky Sticks
posted by oh posey at 11:33 AM on August 13, 2004

Time flies by when you listen to Half Man Half Biscuit.
posted by punilux at 11:44 AM on August 13, 2004

Arrogant Worms! They rule!

I have a Gumby CD that's filled with top-tier performers doing Gumbyized versions of their hits. Bright gumby-green cd inserts.
posted by five fresh fish at 12:02 PM on August 13, 2004

Blotto.
posted by Prawn at 12:58 PM on August 13, 2004

Primus, if you're ok with circusy funk metal. (if you don't know them, they do the South Park intro)
posted by jragon at 1:00 PM on August 13, 2004

The Asylum Street Spankers are fun.
posted by eastlakestandard at 1:20 PM on August 13, 2004

Response by poster: Hoo! Thanks. Great stuff, some of which with which I'm familiar. (Helluva sentence, wasn't that?)

Mmm, Gumby!
posted by Shane at 1:24 PM on August 13, 2004

The Billy Nayer Show
The Residents- try Duckstab
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 1:26 PM on August 13, 2004

Big Fish Ensemble.... definitely Big Fish Ensemble.
posted by spilon at 2:29 PM on August 13, 2004

I'll second Primus, as a band that totally rocks and also happens to be goofy/funny. A lot of their stuff sounds kind of dark and scary, on account of Les Claypool's bass playing just dominating their sound, but once you get used to it they are actually pretty lighthearted. Also, their live shows kick ass, and you can (pay to) download many of them here.
posted by rorycberger at 3:46 PM on August 13, 2004

The Incredible Moses Leroy.
posted by Apoch at 10:56 PM on August 13, 2004

Dood:

Screaming Jay Hawkins
Wild Man Fishcher
Louis Jordan
Frank Freakin' Zappa
Bonzo Dog Band
Sicko
The Cherry Poppin' Daddies
The Meat Purveyors
nomeansno
posted by black8 at 2:09 AM on August 14, 2004

I would like to point you in the direction of Anton Barbeau. You can download some tracks from here where I'd recommend you start with The Horny Old Ballad of Tracy Shellac and Sweet Creature, What's Your Name?

You might also like The Scoundrelles.
posted by dodgygeezer at 4:15 AM on August 14, 2004

Response by poster: W00t! CD swap anyone?

AskMe is cool.

(I love Claypool's bass lines that sound like they're played on the Golden Gate Bridge's suspension cables, but I never really bought Primus CDs. I really should.)

Lechyd da ("good health") to you.
Where's this guy, anyway?
posted by Shane at 10:26 AM on August 14, 2004