# "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:** 4
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/61 "2012-10-01T09:59:02Z")
Let Me Be and He’s a Loser by The Mosguitos.😃 [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onh2lNcbHE8) ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/62 "2012-10-01T12:06:24Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Cool. Which of their albums is your favorite? I must confess I only have two – but I am a fan of _Chocolate and Cheese_. 12 Golden Country Greats has some OK songs on it, but doesn’t have a high relisten value. (With regards to this thread, the former album much better showcases their musical talents in doing multiple genres, whereas in 12GCC they only mockomage, to coin a phrase, one or two styles depending on whether you count the western swing of Mister Richard Smoker as another style. Plus they had session musicians – actual country session musicians, but still.) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/63 "2012-10-01T13:07:12Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I must confess I only have two – but I am a fan of _Chocolate and Cheese_… Thanks. I knew nothing about them, but the few times I’d heard their name, I’d confused it with Weezer (and/or, maybe, Wilco). ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/64 "2012-10-01T13:25:33Z")
How about [Apocalyptica](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalyptica)? > [@](#): > > Apocalyptica is a Finnish metal band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso (all three of whom are graduates of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki) and drummer Mikko Sirén. Originally a Metallica tribute band, their music borrows elements from a wide variety of genres including classical music, neoclassical metal, speed metal, alternative metal, post-grunge, hard rock, progressive metal, thrash metal and symphonic metal. They also incorporate some influences from Middle Eastern music, world music and folk music. They have sold over four million albums to date. ---
**Author:** ![Coustralee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Coustralee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coustralee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/65 "2012-10-01T13:40:42Z")
the mighty boosh ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/66 "2012-10-01T15:08:58Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I must confess I only have two – but I am a fan of _Chocolate and Cheese_. … I bought it last night, and I’'m loving it already. Funny that my comment about Cafe Tacuba’s _Re_ prompted you to mention it. The two albums share a lot of similarities, once you get past the fact that one is in Spanish and the other in English (and that about half of Cafe Tacuba’s _homages_ are to Latin-flavored musical genres) . I think they were even released around the same time – mid-1990s. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/67 "2012-10-01T15:09:09Z")
Mention must be made of the Dictators, one of the originals… their debut LP, _[Go Girl Crazy!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_Girl_Crazy!)_, was a wonderful parody of mid-70s “grunt, sweat & strut” style rock… a breath of fresh air during a period when American rock was woefully deficient in wit. After getting that out of their system they became a serious band. A few choice tracks from the LP: [Weekend](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzlPA3-DK_k) [Two Tub Man](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFud9f9t3gM) (younger listeners may not get all the cultural references) [Master Race Rock](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOC0mDFkwUo) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/68 "2012-10-01T15:34:19Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > The two albums (Cafe Tacuba’s _Re_ and Ween’s _Chocolate and Cheese_) share a lot of similarities, once you get past the fact that one is in Spanish and the other in English (and that about half of Cafe Tacuba’s _homages_ are to Latin-flavored musical genres). But then again, [so is one of Ween’s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csEJW69-C2Q). ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/69 "2012-10-01T18:55:45Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DM2177pHMT0/hqdefault.jpg "The Baseballs - Umbrella (New Video) - www.thebaseballs.com") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM2177pHMT0) The Baseballs. German rockabilly band, covers modern songs. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/70 "2012-10-01T19:12:48Z")
Bob Rivers and his Twisted Tunes, I think, top them all. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/71 "2012-10-01T19:23:59Z")
> [@Suil\_Dubh](#): > > [GWAR](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwar)! > > Although you could argue that they’re not really a “joke” band anymore. Over the years they’ve sort-of evolved from “joke band” to a real heavy metal band that sings about jokey stuff. > > You could also probably argue about how musically talented they actually are. I like 'em though. Gwar gwar gwar gwar gwar gwar! I agree, and I’m not even really into heavy metal. But I like Dave “Oderus” Brockie’s vocals. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/72 "2012-10-01T19:45:18Z")
While not jokes per se I think that the Dead Milkmen’s career suffered from their humor and stopped them from being taken as seriously as their chops supported in the punk era. Mojo Nixon, the Dwarves, the Mentors and Anal Cunt all deserve honorable mentioned here as well. ---
**Author:** ![Iggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Iggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggins)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/73 "2012-10-02T18:17:21Z")
[Corky and the Juice Pigs](http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4s841_mad-tv-corky-the-juice-pigs-i-m-the_fun). RIP A flame that burns so brightly, only burns half as long. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/74 "2012-10-02T18:22:41Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > While not jokes per se I think that the Dead Milkmen’s career suffered from their humor and stopped them from being taken as seriously as their chops supported in the punk era. Mojo Nixon, the Dwarves, the Mentors and Anal Cunt all deserve honorable mentioned here as well. Also, Camper Van Beethoven (though they weren’t quite punk). ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/75 "2012-10-02T19:25:52Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > How about [Apocalyptica](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalyptica)? But they were never a ‘joke’, they just took other music and remade it using strings. They were serious about it. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/76 "2012-10-03T02:29:54Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [Los Straitjackets](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCKQeCsyKVg) a surf guitar band that performs Lucha Libre style (wearing masks.) Los Straitjackets are a solid band with a gimmick, not a joke band. Their lead guitarist Eddie Angel has released at least one solo album and is highly talented in his own right. ---
**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:** [October 3, 2012, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/77 "2012-10-03T12:02:07Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Los Straitjackets are a solid band with a gimmick, not a joke band. > > Their lead guitarist Eddie Angel has released at least one solo album and is highly talented in his own right. And they are one of my favorites. Seen them at he Pittsburgh Blues Festival, and I believe one other venue. maybe “gimmick” is a better term than “joke”, as my entire point is that these are talented bands. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/78 "2014-05-07T20:18:21Z")
> [@Cluricaun](#): > > While not jokes per se I think that the Dead Milkmen’s career suffered from their humor and stopped them from being taken as seriously as their chops supported in the punk era. Mojo Nixon, the Dwarves, the Mentors and Anal Cunt all deserve honorable mentioned here as well. I think Toy Dolls may have been the kings of hiding serious musical talent behind a goofy facade. Those guys could play circles around most bands in any genre, and they’re best known for stuff like “Nellie The Elephant.” https://www.youtube.com/embed/A8dbAeRMHEQ?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/79 "2014-05-07T20:29:10Z")
Nobody mentioned [The Wurzels](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btEpF334Rtc)! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2014, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310/80 "2014-05-07T21:39:14Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > 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. I don’t generally care for the style of music the do, but I think their upbeat Elvis-like cover of “My Heart Will Go On” (from _Titanic_) is both wonderful and hilarious. [https://search.yahoo.com/search;\_ylt=AttZOm4tg7qbCvNKTWxhrZObvZx4?p=Youtibe+“Big+Daddy”+“My+Heart+will+go+on”&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-315](https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AttZOm4tg7qbCvNKTWxhrZObvZx4?p=Youtibe+%22Big+Daddy%22+%22My+Heart+will+go+on%22&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-315) I don’t know if it counts as a “joke band”, but **Otis Day and the Knights** , the made-up band from the movie **Animal House** (fronted by actor DeWayne Jessie as Otis Day, who lip-synched for the film) has been performing and touring as a real band ever since. They performed on the Playboy Channel once. [http://www.otisdayandtheknights.com/bio.html](http://www.otisdayandtheknights.com/bio.html) > **[Otis Day and the Knights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otis_Day_and_the_Knights)** > > Otis Day and the Knights was a fictional R&B band shown performing in the 1978 movie National Lampoon's Animal House. Following the success of the film the actor portraying the group's lead singer acquired the rights to the name and created a real musical act that toured and recorded an album during the 1980s. > Several actors and musicians were hired to portray the members of a band for two scenes in National Lampoon's Animal House. This fictional group performed the songs "Shout" and "Shama Lama... (I don’t know how many, if any, of the other “band members” from _Animal House_ ever performed as part of the touring band) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joke-bands-that-are-actually-musically-talented/636310.md?page=5)