I've just categorized some of my musical favorites into a genre I call Wacky Rock! Made up of previous subcategories of Twisted Humor, Musical Parody and Kinda Quirky, I think this really sums up some of my more recent tastes. Of course this doesn't encompass all my myriad musical tastes. Most glaringly absent is my supreme love of Rush. But you can go to my Artifacts website to see more about that. All my progressive rock leanings are missing, my fast punk favorites, my heavy metal delicacies. Nowhere to be found are my ska delights. Gone are the Rockabilly greats of the 50s, Psychedelia of the 60s, Stadium Rock and Glam Rock of the 70s. No New Wave of the 80s or Grunge of the 90s. But I thought an exploration of my new Wacky Rock (trademark pending) favorites would be more interesting than a page of my "recent" purchase that hadn't been updated for a year.
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Mr. Bungle
These guys are completly over the top. Combining the Twisted Humor and Really Quirky categories, they have alienated most of the status quo music community. Sometimes wearing masks on stage, they cavort like madmen. Musically their songs shift crazily from cartoony keyboard riffs to thrashing guitar chords to funky grooves. Most of their songs seem to contain several "subsongs" that they shift between with abrupt rythmic changes. Upon hearing my favorite Bungle, "My Ass Is On Fire", Rachel asked if this wasn't a new Primus song. Of course Primus lyrics have never been as weird as those uttered from the crazy Mr. Patton.
It looks like Mr. Bungle are currently broken up, but who knows what the future brings and, of course, Mike Patton [Faith No More] still has all his other wacked out projects still going strong. |
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The Vandals
Ah, a punk band with a great sense of humor. I really love these guys. I first discovered them when I found their original Oi To The World Christmas cd in the cutout bin. With such great songs such as "Gun For Christmas" and "Christmas Time For My Penis" I was hooked. Since then I've bought their albums Look What I Almost Stepped In and my favorite Hitler Bad, Vandals Good. Can't wait to get more.
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The Aquabats
Here's a great ska/surf/new wave hybred band - sort of. They dress up like oddball superheroes (think of the goofy 60s Batman series). Their songs sound pretty cartoony and they're always great fun to listen to. You can't help but feel happy when you listen to them (especially the superb "Giant Robot Birdhead").
I have all their albums except the latest ep Yo, Check Out This Ride. They have a new album just finished and awaiting release. Perhaps the ep is part of it.
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Barnes & Barnes
Yeah! I love these guys. Sure it's the Fish Heads guys, but all of their songs have a seriously Twisted Humor in them. I have all there albums and love all the peverted sexual excess, bathroom humor and over-the-top grossness. Bill Mumy and Robert Haimer have an on again/off again relationship that has them churning out a new release (or old reissue with new material) every once in a blue moon. They pop up every once in awhile in their yahoo group, poking fun at each other and answering fan questions.
They have just signed a deal with Oglio to release Kodovoner, Amazing Adult Fantasy and Sicks. I can't wait!!
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They Might Be Giants
We seem to run into these two guys named John performing every time we go out of town. John plays accordian and John plays guitar. Mostly using offbeat lyrics and odd subject matter ("James K Polk", "Why Does The Sun Shine?") they've penned some really snazzy off-the-wall tunes. They've even had some hits with "Istanbul (not Constantinople)", "Birdhouse In Your Soul" and cult favorite "Particle Man". What a great band!
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