# "Joke Bands" that are actually musically talented. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 30, 2012, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310 "2012-09-30T13:45:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/21 "2012-09-30T16:06:53Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I was going to mention [Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESNCWrks6vQ), but I’m not sure if the Kinkster considers his act a joke… > > (and sorry, Troppus…☹ being a ska-head I was busy looking up Aquabats. and thanks for that!) ZipperJJ may have more info, but they apparently exist as an alternative to the hardcore, angry ska scene. And if you have the pleasure of spending time with any kids under four, check out Nickelodeon’ Yo Gabba Gabba. The Aquabats are a house band (and the other musical guests are equal parts notable and awesome,too) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/22 "2012-09-30T16:54:47Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > ZipperJJ may have more info, but they apparently exist as an alternative to the hardcore, angry ska scene. And if you have the pleasure of spending time with any kids under four, check out Nickelodeon’ Yo Gabba Gabba. The Aquabats are a house band (and the other musical guests are equal parts notable and awesome,too) Hmm never got in to them. They must not have showed up any any of my interest-fueling CD compilations. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/23 "2012-09-30T17:10:03Z")
The Darkness [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sRYNYb30nxU/hqdefault.jpg "The Darkness - I Believe In A Thing Called Love") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRYNYb30nxU) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaaCOHmAbR0) ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/24 "2012-09-30T17:14:10Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > [Dethklok](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZX62imOapU). Man, I forgot about them. This. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/25 "2012-09-30T17:30:37Z")
Any Jack White project. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/26 "2012-09-30T17:33:10Z")
**Flight of The Conchords** : decent voices and decent musicians. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/27 "2012-09-30T17:37:36Z")
[Garfunkel & Oates](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXPcBI4CJc8). They’re cute, too. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/28 "2012-09-30T17:38:29Z")
> [@Harvey\_The\_Heavy](#): > > Spın̈al Tap A Mighty Wind ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/29 "2012-09-30T17:45:30Z")
Dewey Cox is worth mentioning. Although _Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story_ was a comedy and parody, the soundtrack is pretty damn good, with John C. Reilly as Cox. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/30 "2012-09-30T18:01:21Z")
The Fools ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/31 "2012-09-30T18:53:33Z")
> [@Harvey\_The\_Heavy](#): > > Spın̈al Tap I was a bit surprised that wasn’t the OP’s main example. Spike Jones’s band(s) deserve mention in this thread. When I think about it, I’m having a harder time coming up with “joke bands” that _aren’t_ musically talented, at least not any with much success or longevity. Don’t you almost have to have musical talent to pull off good musical jokes? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/32 "2012-09-30T18:56:20Z")
Spike Jones and his City Slickers Here Come the Mummies ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/33 "2012-09-30T19:03:08Z")
Big Daddy. I particularly like their cover of [Sgt Peppers](http://bigdaddy59.com/audio/sgt-peppers/) in 50’s style. The way they handled ‘Within You Without You’ was great. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/34 "2012-09-30T19:03:50Z")
[Richard Cheese](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=draifMpM5ck) [Steel Panther](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s-TV1_uL-A) Warning: _Really_ offensive. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/35 "2012-09-30T19:12:19Z")
Tommy Ill, a Kiwi MC who specialises in jaunty hip-hop songs about robots and zombies: [Robot](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwTJ6RfTHEQ) and [Living Dead](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3HABb-NXkg). Very funny, and seriously talented. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/36 "2012-09-30T19:20:53Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Here Come the Mummies Saw them a few years ago. Recommend highly! ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/37 "2012-09-30T19:24:27Z")
Beatallica. Here’s their song ‘[Hey Dude](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA_CgX2ihVg)’ off of their ‘Sgt. Hetfield’s Motorbreath Pub Band’. Youtube links too ‘Jazzallica’ and ‘Jazz against the Machine’, which I must now listen to, as well. Oh, and I like Bob Rivers’s ‘[Burgers on the Grill](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DSeP3N4hg4)’, a joke rendition of The Doors’ ‘Riders on the Storm’ Re: The Darkness - I seem to recall that in spite of their clear outrageousness, they took themselves pretty seriously? Are they really a joke band? ---
**Author:** ![Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hero_From_Sector_7G)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/38 "2012-09-30T19:25:17Z")
Edit: Neither of the following videos are safe for work. Jesus H Christ and the Four Hornsmen of the Apocalypse - [Liz the Hot Receptionist](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LckuHfWwGg) Electric Six - [Gay Bar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTN6Du3MCgI) It is tough to define “Joke” band. I am using the term loosely, neither of these bands take themselves very seriously, but are quality musicians. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/39 "2012-09-30T19:34:33Z")
The Bonzo Dog Band. Incredible musicians and songwriters. Here are some clips: “[Look Out, There’s a Monster Coming](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HeEFxgktVg&feature=related).” ([A modern rendition](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8862I-GzFhw&feature=fvwrel).) “[By a Waterfall](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loKznDGqTcw&feature=related).” [“Can Blue Men Play the Whites?”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw-TVrR8wZc&feature=list_other&playnext=1&list=AL94UKMTqg-9DEKZ0-qONZLsTxVp6PoTwR) “[Mr. Apollo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qwZ1c8UcQg&feature=related)” “[Doctor Jazz](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QU0lOIaBOY)” “[Jazz, Delicious Hot, Disgusting Cold](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABcNAwytrOY)” Probably their showcase of their instrumental talent. The Bonzos were able to play and compose in all sorts of musical styles – hard rock, British music hall, blues, pop, traditional jazz, and many more. The live performances were synched, of course, but they could do just the same (even wilder on stage). Co-leader Neil Innes has been called “The Seventh Python” because of his contributions to Monty Python’s Flying Circus – many of the songs in the TV show were written by him (you can spot him singing “Brave Sir Robin” in **Monthy Python and the Holy Grail** ). He’s also done a lot of solo work including the amazing [Beatles parodies](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4mXoaEdd5c) for Eric Idle’s **All You Need is Cash.** ---
**Author:** ![The\_Dord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@The\_Dord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Dord)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/40 "2012-09-30T19:34:51Z")
Didn’t see the [Lt. Dan Band](http://www.ltdanband.com/) on here yet, but [here it is](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C4PfkxJnyE). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310.md?page=3)