Unintentionally Hilarious Music
July 31, 2008 12:20 PM   Subscribe

What bands or artists take themselves way too seriously, to the point of unintentional hilarity?

Looking for the antithesis of Tenacious D. Any and all genres. The only ones that come to my mind are Bright Eyes and Limp Bizkit. You can do better. Bonus points if they use their own name in a song.
posted by FuManchu to Media & Arts (86 answers total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: this is pretty much a chatfilter question. -- jessamyn

 
Wu-Tang
posted by als129 at 12:26 PM on July 31, 2008


Interpol.
Sonic Youth (sometimes).
Elvis Costello.
Creed.
Linkin Park.
Nickelback.
posted by cmoj at 12:27 PM on July 31, 2008


Coheed & Cambria. Check out their album cover.
posted by infinitewindow at 12:27 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


Avril Lavigne.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 12:28 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


Beck!
posted by jbickers at 12:29 PM on July 31, 2008


cmoj:
"Creed."

Scott Stapp
posted by Science! at 12:30 PM on July 31, 2008


Sting
posted by KokuRyu at 12:30 PM on July 31, 2008


Ryan Adams
posted by trbrts at 12:30 PM on July 31, 2008


Oh, jeez: Bono.
posted by 8dot3 at 12:31 PM on July 31, 2008 [6 favorites]


Damn Yankees, which almost automatically get on because they feature Ted Nugent, but also had a song called 'Damn Yankees' on an album called "Damn Yankees."

Can you take them "High Enough"?
posted by palindromic at 12:32 PM on July 31, 2008


days of the new? i once read a press release by them that the onion printed 'as is' due to it's unintended hilarity.
posted by lester at 12:32 PM on July 31, 2008


Prince
posted by Science! at 12:32 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


Ooh, and the Black Crowes, especially given their Maxim flap.
posted by palindromic at 12:33 PM on July 31, 2008


Madonna, too.
posted by 8dot3 at 12:34 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


Kottonmouth Kings, U2, Metallica, Fallout Boy
posted by highfidelity at 12:34 PM on July 31, 2008




Last one, I promise, but this one jumped in my head, just as I promised no more:
Luca Turilli. Yes, all of his songs are like this. No, he seems quite serious.
posted by palindromic at 12:35 PM on July 31, 2008


I think the Dixie Chicks did a pretty good job of it a couple of years back.
posted by Class Goat at 12:36 PM on July 31, 2008


Danzig
Kanye
Skid Row/Sebastian Bach
P Diddly
Insane Clown Posse
posted by MiggySawdust at 12:37 PM on July 31, 2008


And I think the 'Triumph' video illustrates als129's point much better than the 'Ain't Nothin' To Fuck With' video.
posted by box at 12:38 PM on July 31, 2008


Psshaw, y'all are missing the real bands that become hilarious. Like, sure, Creed takes themselves seriously, but their music's just lame, not funny for it.

Now, on the other hand, there's Manowar. There isn't an ounce of self-awareness there, just hard rock action. Look at the cover of their Fighting the World album from '87, and realize that there's absolutely no recognition of the fact that they look totally gay.

I'm sure that I'll have more once my editor gets back from a shoot, as he's got a legitimate love of '80s metal. I'd add Helloween, Styx and that Chocolate Rain kid to the list right off the top of my head.
posted by klangklangston at 12:46 PM on July 31, 2008 [2 favorites]


Reggie and the Full Effect (Even though the music is really good)

Second Bright Eyes....what a joke....

Showbread
posted by TeachTheDead at 12:48 PM on July 31, 2008


Male menopause era Metallica.

If you don't believe me, take a gander at "Some Kind of Monster," a documentary on the making of the "Saint Anger" album.

Torrential arguments, spur-of-the-moment recording studio changes . . . and a group therapist employed at great expense to guide them through the process. Narcissism at its highest point of evolution.
posted by Gordion Knott at 12:50 PM on July 31, 2008 [3 favorites]


The Decembrists
posted by spicynuts at 12:52 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


Not music, but the first person I thought of when I saw this question was Vincent Gallo. Sorry, just had to add that.
posted by Ruby Doomsday at 12:52 PM on July 31, 2008


I agree with the Sting nomination. Man's head wants deflating.
posted by theredpen at 12:53 PM on July 31, 2008


The Eagles
posted by rhizome at 12:56 PM on July 31, 2008


I'll second Klang's Manowar suggestion. And, like he says, they're not alone. There's a rich vein in Metal Mountain of this sort of thing.
posted by ob at 12:57 PM on July 31, 2008


Mortiis. Not too many bands comprise phantastic demon-elves. (David Archuleta doesn't count.)
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:58 PM on July 31, 2008


Rhapsody (of Fire)
posted by nitsuj at 12:59 PM on July 31, 2008


You could have a totally seperate catagory for metal. Check out this page from a few years back!

http://tinyurl.com/h6d3q
posted by MiggySawdust at 12:59 PM on July 31, 2008


"In July 2006 the band formerly known as Rhapsody changed their name to Rhapsody of Fire due to trademark issues and pressure from Real Networks[4]. The band's website goes into further detail: The band members consider this a great new start, reflecting the emboldened and increasingly grandiose direction that their music has taken. "The power of the Dragonflame will burn brighter than ever before," says guitarist/songwriter Luca Turilli. Keyboardist/songwriter Alex Staropoli adds, "The name Rhapsody Of Fire better represents the energy that has always been present in this band and its music."
posted by nitsuj at 1:00 PM on July 31, 2008


I'm really surprised no one's mentioned R. Kelly yet.
posted by sportbucket at 1:01 PM on July 31, 2008 [3 favorites]


Yeah, r&b isn't our strong suit. But since you mention R, let's throw his greatest inspiration, Michael Jackson, in there as well.
posted by box at 1:06 PM on July 31, 2008


Wang Chung. They mention themselves in a song. And the Eagles rate up there too, especially since they sold out.
posted by chocolatetiara at 1:10 PM on July 31, 2008


Uh, I mean, Michael Jackson.
posted by box at 1:10 PM on July 31, 2008


i love them, but radiohead.
posted by millipede at 1:11 PM on July 31, 2008


Scott Walker (although I love the guy)
posted by porn in the woods at 1:13 PM on July 31, 2008


I'm hesitant to post this, because it dwarfs almost everyone else's picks so badly that it might spoil the fun. But here (YT).
posted by abcde at 1:13 PM on July 31, 2008 [3 favorites]


Yngwie Malmsteen

Oh yes, Yngwie, I have indeed, "unleashed the fucking fury".
posted by adamdschneider at 1:19 PM on July 31, 2008 [3 favorites]


The Decemberists are fairly tongue in cheek about their music, you sort of have to be when you are covering their subject matter, there is an interview with them in the AV club a while back that illustrates that.

Also Radiohead has been intentionally off putting to a certain degree ever since they were officially declared the saviors of rock back in 97, they do take their music seriously, but they seem to ignore their own hype pretty well in my opinion.

That being said, pretty much all of mainstream hip hop either seems to be completely irreverent or takes itself way to seriously, sometimes achieving both at the same time.
posted by BobbyDigital at 1:23 PM on July 31, 2008 [2 favorites]


I have to say sportbucket wins for his entry...which I cannot believe wasn't meant to be funny. It is the funniest thing ever and R.Kelly is presenting it like it's Schindlers List.
posted by MiggySawdust at 1:26 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


Wait a second. How could this not have been mentioned:

Eminem talking about how he could have changed the 2004 election had he only released his single "Mosh" earlier.
posted by skewedoracle at 1:28 PM on July 31, 2008


U2
posted by cazoo at 1:30 PM on July 31, 2008


Coldplay.
posted by hecho de la basura at 1:38 PM on July 31, 2008


Hahaha yeah Danzig (yt probably nsfw).
Also, was Dio serious?
Was Gary Glitter?
Tiny Tim?
I could never tell.
But yeah, any 80's metal.
posted by cmoj at 1:39 PM on July 31, 2008


It's amazing you mention Manowar's 'Fighting the World', Klangklangston, since in Grade 11 that album cover so blew me away that I wrote an essay aboout it for my high school newspaper, and basically on the strength of that essay (people were still quoting it for years around the halls of Central High) I was made editor of the paper the following year.
A blurb on the back cover ends: "...the battle rages, choose your side. Death to False Metal!!."
Anyway, there's that, but also there's U2
posted by Flashman at 1:40 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


SELECT tblMusicians.*
FROM tblMusicians
WHERE ((tblMusicians.txtArtistName)<>'Weird Al Yankovic');
posted by notashroom at 1:48 PM on July 31, 2008 [2 favorites]


Definitely Manowar.
posted by the dief at 2:01 PM on July 31, 2008


I'm sorry to say it, because I'm kind of a fan, but Nas. Oh, man, Nas.
posted by box at 2:03 PM on July 31, 2008


What the fuck? Omar from The Wire was in Trapped in the Closet? I've only just started on the fifth season, and this is probably going to ruin it for me. Now I'll always see a man who fought a midget...

On a more related note, seconding Coldplay.
posted by djgh at 2:07 PM on July 31, 2008


Billy Joel, all the worse for pretending to be so humble.
posted by rottytooth at 2:15 PM on July 31, 2008


abcde beat me to it. Black metal wins it for "most unintentionally hilarious music" every time. Seriously, just look at this (possibly nsfw).
posted by satori101 at 2:35 PM on July 31, 2008


KMFDM's process of self effacement/glorification was intentionally hilarious for a long time, but is now somewhat embarrassing.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 2:35 PM on July 31, 2008


Axl "Chinese Democracy" Rose
My Chemical Romance
The Mars Volta
Radiohead
Pink Floyd
Slipknot
Oasis
posted by iviken at 2:45 PM on July 31, 2008


"I should like to consider the folk song, and expound briefly on a theory I have held for some time, to the effect that the reason that most folk songs are so atrocious is that they were written by The People."—Tom Lehrer.

I think most message-oriented folk music fills the bill. Hilarious earnestness is perhaps the one thing it has in common with black metal, and is perhaps the reason it is so ripe for parody as a genre.
posted by adamrice at 2:49 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


artists I love with some very pompous moments in their discography:

Mark Eitzel/American Music Club
Lou Reed
The Fall - "Bill is Dead" off Extricate, "Detective Instinct" off Room to Live
The Birthday Party
John Cale
posted by porn in the woods at 2:53 PM on July 31, 2008


Will Oldham.
posted by turgid dahlia at 2:56 PM on July 31, 2008 [2 favorites]


I'm actually pretty sure that there's a pretty huge dose of self-awareness in everything R. Kelly does. (btw, Will Oldham was in Trapped In The Closet, too!)

On the other hand, Bjork has this in spades sometimes.
posted by clcapps at 2:59 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


Madonna. I heard her on a morning radio show interview and she was a pompous jerk. She acted like the interviewers were so far beneath her, it made me ill.
posted by CwgrlUp at 3:07 PM on July 31, 2008


Seconding Nickelback. What a pack of total douches.
posted by Aquaman at 3:19 PM on July 31, 2008


Madonna...acted like the interviewers were...beneath her...

Yeah, but after the broadcast.

As far as pompous gits are concerned, I'm afraid Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen would have to be thrown in there as well. Sure, they're geniuses (geniii?), but I've watched some interviews and film of their live shows and whoa, the self-satisfaction was almost tangible.

Tom Waits, on the other hand...I love him so much.
posted by turgid dahlia at 3:22 PM on July 31, 2008


I don't know if Lîve are still memorable, but...oh man, everything they did was so pompous.

I think the Dixie Chicks...

There's got to be some threshold of death threats received at which people should get a pass for seeming overly serious, and I'd say the Chicks definitely qualify.
posted by kittyprecious at 3:41 PM on July 31, 2008


Seconding +live+
Operation Spirit - what a bunch of horseshit.

I'll see your +live+ and raise you Hoobastank - The Reason
posted by porn in the woods at 3:43 PM on July 31, 2008


i love them, but radiohead.

At least ten years back, a couple of my wife's girlfriends befriended Ed O'Brien and Jonny Greenwood, so for a while there we'd get backstage passes whenever they'd play here in New York. While I can't vouch for Thom, because he'd usually just pass through, shake a few hands and disappear for the rest of the night, I can tell you that the rest of the guys were really pretty down to earth and fun. Things may have changed since then, but they were a decent bunch.
posted by JaredSeth at 4:08 PM on July 31, 2008


Oh, nth-ing Interpol. These guys are the new Spandau Ballet.
posted by porn in the woods at 4:11 PM on July 31, 2008


I disagree with Bjork. There's a difference between taking oneself seriously and having an almost total disconnect from the rest of reality.
posted by Caduceus at 4:12 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


In Will Oldham's defense, it is necessary that he take himself so seriously to erase his painful memories of being a second-rate made-for-TV movie actor.

Hating on Will Oldham: it just feels right.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 4:35 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


Now, on the other hand, there's Manowar. There isn't an ounce of self-awareness there, just hard rock action.

Dude, the original lineup featured former Dictator Ross The Boss Friedman, a man who is well acquainted with the concept of humor. I guarantee you he's in on the joke.

Radiohead on the other hand, takes themselves way too seriously.
posted by jonmc at 4:46 PM on July 31, 2008


There's the perennial Fark cliche Omarion (pray for Omarion!), famous for issuing a press release asking fans to pray for him despite being entirely unharmed during the London bombings in 2005, but it looks like that was a hoax?
posted by grippycat at 4:50 PM on July 31, 2008


(if you want evidence of Manowar being in on the joke, I have an mp3 of them live in Paris covering 'Lady Marmalade.' I think it's safe to say they get it)
posted by jonmc at 4:50 PM on July 31, 2008


The Decembrists
Will Oldham


Huh? Where do you folks get this stuff? These are two of the most self-aware and self-piss-taking artists around.
posted by dobbs at 4:53 PM on July 31, 2008


Rick Astley. Guy's everywhere.
posted by turgid dahlia at 4:54 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


Every Trance DJ ever, especially Paul Oakenfold.
posted by Who_Am_I at 5:02 PM on July 31, 2008 [2 favorites]


70's Prog Rock has not been heard from:

Emerson Lake and Palmer (How do you spell pretentious? E-L-P.)
Yes
Jethro Tull (Just thinking about Ian Anderson and his little flute makes me laugh)
Pink Floyd
Kansas

Bonus: New wave band BIG COUNTRY and their hit single BIG COUNTRY
posted by cjets at 5:09 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


cclap: I'm actually pretty sure that there's a pretty huge dose of self-awareness in everything R. Kelly does.

There's a fine line between clever and stupid. That there's even a question of whether or not he's in on the joke is a tribute to his genius. Moreover, if we ever found out for sure, it would probably cease to be funny.
posted by sportbucket at 5:10 PM on July 31, 2008


Bonus points if they use their own name in a song.

Wouldn't Escape Club be the world champeens in that regard? (I'm a bit frightened that I remember them at all.)
posted by jonmc at 5:12 PM on July 31, 2008


Morrissey, sometimes. But then, sometimes the wryest guy out there. He swings both ways, if you will.
posted by granted at 5:19 PM on July 31, 2008


Amy Winehouse? A song on her first album, "Frank", is titled "Amy Amy Amy".

"In addition to foregrounding her knowledge of R&B history in her lyrics, she mines her personal experiences for material, naming names, keeping those names in the news, and in the process, all but eliminates the barrier between biography and artistic expression, tabloid and Billboard. Only a complete novice could wonder what her songs mean, to which events they refer, or about whom they are written. Meanwhile, she acts out and "keeps it real" by defending her drug and alcohol addictions, and by standing by her jailed ne'er-do-well husband. The whole package smells like a bizarre simulation of a familiar black stereotype."
posted by iviken at 5:38 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


Godspeed, You: Black? Emperor!
posted by and for no one at 5:40 PM on July 31, 2008 [2 favorites]


Alanis Morisette. I enjoy her music, but listening to her being interviewed is just so painful.
posted by orange swan at 5:54 PM on July 31, 2008


The Cure.
posted by neuron at 6:01 PM on July 31, 2008 [1 favorite]


I don't think you can beat Kanye west. We're talking insane narcissism there. He's so enamored of himself that it makes me ill and just disturbed. I predict he will get experimental surgery that allows him to fuck himself very soon. It's not funny like the black metal groups, though just disgusting.

Beck won some best-of-the-year award years ago in his prime and his comment was something like "well what else is there, really". Seems like a nice dude otherwise, but that stuck with me.

Oasis were the only thing anywhere near Kanye in their self-aggrandizement (yet still fell short). Again, not funny. You just wanted to punch them in their unibrows, the skinny little scuzzballs. Pretty ridiculous.

Madonna is a total joke. Remember when she started sporting an English accent after like two months over there? A Kabbalah book for kids after practicing it for a year? Garotte, please. She's in the eye-rolling/disgust category, not funny.

Fiona Apple. Ugh.

Morrissey haters, I will track you down and accost you with clever and withering observations about your life in his stead until you fold over and cry.
posted by Askr at 6:15 PM on July 31, 2008 [2 favorites]


Bernard Fanning from Powerderfinger called Ben Lee "a precocious little cunt" live to air, and for that I nominate both of them.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 6:37 PM on July 31, 2008


Um, definitely, Dio. Go dig up and watch the video for "Holy Diver." Ronny James Dio sounds like Jack Black, Tenacious D has paid homage to him in a song of their own, he even appeared in their movie -- but if you watch that video, you'll realize the connection between the two is forged on the anvil of his being an incredible singer and pretty darn good songwriter, yet taking himself waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too seriously. If you took Tenacious D and removed all of the self-awareness and humor, you'd end up with Dio.
posted by davejay at 6:46 PM on July 31, 2008


Can I just make it a genre and point to all of Black Metal? I love the music dearly, but wow - some of these bands just take it all to a serious extreme that border on the ludicrous.

I mean, really - *how* many pig heads on spikes does a band really need on stage these days?
posted by spinifex23 at 7:08 PM on July 31, 2008


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