# Fred Schneider, Yes or No? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 13, 2002, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353 "2002-04-13T01:15:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/1 "2002-04-13T01:15:07Z")
Some people like him, some think he’s too geeky to be a rock and roller. I vote yes. ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/2 "2002-04-13T01:18:53Z")
I can’t bear to listen to the B-52s because of him. They’ll be playing a cool, catchy tune like they do, with Kate’s beautiful voice, and then all of sudden, bam, there he is doing his annoying Fred Schneider schtick, and I gotta turn the radio off. So I gotta vote no. Is this like rock and roll Survivor? Can we vote him out of the band? ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/3 "2002-04-13T03:56:14Z")
Hell, yes. What would “Love Shack” or “Rock Lobster” be without him? These are Rock and Roll classics. Absolutely yes. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/4 "2002-04-13T05:47:16Z")
Another vote yes. I love geeky rock stars. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/5 "2002-04-15T12:15:05Z")
It couldn’t very well be the B-52s without him, could it? He has always reminded me of John Waters. “…and they’re about to sssset ssssaaaaiiiilllll!” I do a great Fred Schneider immitation. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/6 "2002-04-15T12:18:00Z")
Like him? Hell, I even bought his solo “Fred Schneider and the Shake Society” album (yes, that’s right album). _There’s a monster in my pants And he does a naughty dance When he walks into a room People hit it with a broom…_ ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/7 "2002-04-15T14:58:58Z")
I got me a Chrysler, it’s as big as a whale! We used to do impressions of him in college. **plnnr** has the right idea, it would NOT be the B-52’s without him. So since I can say I generally like the B-52s (when I’m in the mood for peppy music), I’d give him a “yes”. And who says a geek can’t be a rock star? Christ, have you looked at Buddy Holly? I’m not sure if he _was_ a geek, but he sure as shootin’ looked like one! ---
**Author:** ![Kamandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@Kamandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamandi)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/8 "2002-04-15T20:04:41Z")
_Waitin’ for bus numberrr… 99! Goin’ to the store for - HOTDOGS and WIIINE!!_ Fred’s great. No Fred = no B-52s. ---
**Author:** ![Wartime\_Consigliori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9d8465/32.png) [@Wartime\_Consigliori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wartime_Consigliori)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2002, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/9 "2002-04-15T20:48:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Why A Duck \* > \*\* > > _There’s a monster in my pants > And he does a naughty dance > When he walks into a room > People hit it with a broom…_ \*\* OH MY GOD A GIANT MONSTER!!!😃 ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/10 "2002-04-16T02:13:51Z")
Shake? BAKE! Quiche La Poodle! They laid down the law! Back then oh yes. Now? **plnnr** : I thought I was the only one who did a Fred Schneider imitation, nice to know I’m not alone. (It’s _fun_ isn’t it?) ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/11 "2002-04-16T02:22:36Z")
Looks like I’m the only one, so I’ll just go stand in the other room. If anyone else comes along and ends up agreeing with me, just send 'em on in. ---
**Author:** ![Kyomara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/12 "2002-04-16T03:00:51Z")
Yes. Do a pretty mean impression myself, although to be fair, it’s not very difficult. Anyone remember that old MTV show where people wrote in their real experiences and MTV would dramatize them? Usually pretty dumb, but they had an episode where they acted out people’s dreams. One guy wrote in with a dream he had where Fred Schneider was following him around everywhere. He’s be walking through the produce section, and Fred would be there, quietly trailing him. Then the moment he picked up a bunch of spinach, Fred starts dancing and saying “everybody’s buying some spih-niiiich!” Watching it was almost as funny as having it described to you on a message board, I’m sure. _everybody had…matching towels!_ ---
**Author:** ![hardygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@hardygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardygrrl)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/13 "2002-04-16T04:18:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wartime Consigliori \* > \*\* > OH MY GOD A GIANT MONSTER!!!😃 \*\* I can top that. Own the album, know the songs, **remember the video** … with the fake plastic asses. _shrugs_I have odd tastes. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/14 "2002-04-16T05:19:56Z")
I’m gonna kiss your eyes Then I’m gonna kiss your neck Then I’m gonna kiss your tummy Then I’m gonna kiss your pineapple ---
**Author:** ![SteveinSpain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@SteveinSpain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveinSpain)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/15 "2002-04-16T12:35:20Z")
Planet Claire and Mesopotamia are 2 of my favorites which just wouldn’t be songs without Fred. Even Channel Z (“where’s my umbrella?” is a Fred necessary song. I proudly cast Rock Lobster for the Prom Theme back in 1980. It was a single vote… The Long and Windy Road won. What have these guys been up to? Last I heard they played Disney World on New Year’s Eve 1999-\>2000. I’ve seen them 3 times throughout their career. All great shows. Time to do a google I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/16 "2002-04-16T12:38:30Z")
My buddy has autographs of all the original B-52s. I’m so jealous. ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/17 "2002-04-16T12:47:14Z")
Dude, I’m such a fan I can’t see a phrase with “Rock” in it without bursting into a little impromptu song to the tune of **Rock Lobster**. For instance, passing through a Geology display at uni I’m singing: “Rock! Rock! Rock geomorphology!” I see a Rocky Horror Show ad: “Rock! Rock! Rock-ee Horror!” A refreshing bowl of fruit salad: “Rock! Rock! Rock melon” ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/18 "2002-04-16T12:56:06Z")
They are an incredibly fun band to see live. Go if you get the chance. “Dance this mess around!” Indeed! ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/19 "2002-04-16T16:17:32Z")
Besides, if “geeky” was a dealbreaker for being a rock star, we wouldn’t have: [ul][li]Buddy Holly[/li][li]Rik Ocasek[/li][li]Hi Opal[/li][li]Elvis Costello[/li][li]ANY of the Foo Fighters[/ul][/li] So be careful what you wish for. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353/20 "2002-04-16T16:25:45Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Chef Troy \* **Besides, if “geeky” was a dealbreaker for being a rock star, we wouldn’t have: [ul][li]ANY of the Foo Fighters[/ul]**[/li][/QUOTE] I’ll agree with all of your list except this one. I don’t think of Pat Smear (founding foo fighter) as a geek. I mean this guy was in _The Germs_, one of THE original hardcore punk outfits. Did you ever see the movie _The Decling of Western Civilization_? Classic punk movie. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-schneider-yes-or-no/103353.md?page=2)