Life in A. Minor: Top Ten Novelty Bands

By Broadside Style Columnist Andy Minor

As embarrassing as it may be, I'll openly admit that when I was in the fourth grade, I was an enormous “Weird Al” Yankovic fan. I was openly obsessed and oftentimes would proclaim that Yankovic's parodies were better than the songs they were mocking. Obviously, I see music in a very different light now that I've aged about 10 years or so, but there is still somewhat of a foundation that got laid listening to songs like “Eat It” and “Amish Paradise.” Due to this foundation, I thought this week's top 10 list would shine a little light on my favorite “novelty bands,” or in other words, bands that don't seem to take music too seriously. Now, obviously novelty bands don't always have their place, as they usually strive to make music that is humorous rather than moving, but they do belong somewhere, and they surely do their best to make sure that we don't forget how funny music can be.

10. Dr. Octagon
Dr. Octagon is the rejected alias of hip-hop MC Kool Keith who recorded two albums under the name, but only released one of them officially. The second was released without his consent and he has continuously stated that he hates it, which makes me think Kool Keith isn't exactly proud of his Dr. Octagonal roots. But that doesn't stop his first album, The Dr. Octagonecologyst, from being one of my favorite hip-hop novelties. At no point in the album do you think Dr. Octagon is taking anything he does seriously and the excellent beats and DJ-ing behind it really round it out into a nice record.

9. Presidents of the United States of America
My favorite song by the Presidents is probably still “Peaches,” which I can remember hearing on the radio back in elementary school. What makes it novelty? Well, it's about peaches. They also have a song about a lump and another one about a blue dune buggy. Try and tell me that there isn't a high level of novelty within this power trio. This was a band that had fun no matter what they were singing about, and their songs actually managed to be pretty good, too.

8. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention
Frank Zappa easily managed to be one of the greatest musicians of the last century, and he did this by making complex classical music, novelty music and everything in between. It's arguable that because his music had more of a social drive that he really isn't much of a novelty, but it's the satirical tone present in many of his songs that gives him that novel flare. He's got songs about sex toys, songs about working at gas stations and songs about valley girls. If that's not novelty, I don't know what is.

7. Afroman
Remember “Because I Got High?” Well, Afroman has a whole slew of novelty songs beyond that, my particular favorite being “Colt 45.” The songs are absolutely side splitting, even if their subject matter is a little risqué. And beyond that many, particularly the two mentioned here, have become great sing-along songs. I know several non-novelty bands that haven't been able to achieve that one.

6. The Frogs
If you can manage to find a copy of the Smashing Pumpkins' Vieuphoria, you will be treated halfway through to a video segment entitled “Meet the Frogs.” Unless you are easily offended, upon viewing this segment, you will find yourself laughing and wondering if the Frogs are actually a real band. Well, they are. They're offensive, they're obscene and they're hilarious.

5. They Might Be Giants
Here's another band that isn't completely novelty, but it's no secret that these guys have made some of the best novelty music ever. In fact, I'd argue that they've even made some of the best music ever, but that's beside the point. This is the only band I've ever heard write songs about James K. Polk, men made up of particles and at the same time, covering a children's educational song about the sun. These guys have something for everyone.

4. Dr. Demento
I'll be honest and say I haven't heard enough songs by Dr. Demento to put him on the list. But that doesn't mean he hasn't been the biggest supporter and pioneer for novelty music ever. First of all, he launched the career of one “Weird Al” Yankovic, and he's also been on the radio for over 30 years doing really bizarre things with music. And while he isn't syndicated anymore, he's still on the air doing “mad music and crazy comedy.” A true novelty musician's role model.

3. Flight of the Conchords
Their TV show was absolutely amazing, but at the same time, this New Zealand novelty pop duo made some of the catchiest songs of 2007. The lyrics are hilarious, of course, but there is a certain quality behind it that makes the Conchords way more than your average novelty band. They've successfully parodied everything from hip hop to children's music, and they've got personality and style to boot. They've shown up on my lists before, and I'll say the same thing again: check these guys out or you're doing yourself a huge disservice.

2. Tenacious D
“Wonderboy,” “Kielbasa Sausage,” “Tribute”–need I go on? Jack Black and KG have easily been one of my favorite novelty acts for years, and both their HBO special and movie were incredible. I even find myself listening to the D by myself a lot, which can be a hard thing to do when dealing with novelty music. I guess that just goes to show how the D has transcended their novelty label, as they write music that just plain rocks with lyrics that just plain rule.

1. “Weird Al” Yankovic
“Weird Al” is obviously the king of novelty music. Ever since “My Bologna,” he's been making parodies of the greatest songs on the charts and doing it quite successfully. From Queen to Michael Jackson, “Weird Al” has made fun of them all. Beyond the parodies, he writes some of the greatest, and only, pop medley polkas you can ever hear. He's incredibly clever, both in the way he changes lyrics and the way he melds songs together. His original compositions are equally cunning and with these, he proves himself to be an able musician who can write a really catchy pop song. Definitely the apex of novelty music.