The Color Awesome » Humor

The Color Awesome’s Visual Guide to “Simpsonized” Musicians

paige — Fri, 28 May 2010 04:05:28 +0000

Hundreds of celebrities have been “Simpsonized” over the past 20 years. Our recent post about Joanna Newsom got me thinking – exactly how many musicians have made cameos or been depicted on this long running cartoon. Leave it to an obsessive mind such as my own to lay it all out for you! Let us know if we’ve forgotten anyone.

The Color Awesome’s Guide to Musicians appearing on The Simpsons

Season 1-11 data gathered from The Simpson’s Archive Guest Star Guide

Michael Jackson (Season Three)

The first big name musician was Jackson, who appeared in the third season premiere under the pseudonym John Jay Smith. On the episode, Homer is sent to an asylum and befriends his large, white cellmate Leon, who just so happens to believe he’s Michael Jackson, and sound just like him, thanks to Jackson himself providing Leon’s voice.

Spinal Tap in “The Otto Show” (Season Three)

After he kills Spinal Tap in a bus crash, it’s revealed that Otto the bus driver doesn’t have a license, forcing him to lose his job and reevaluate his life. Tap bassist Derek Smalls is played by Harry Shearer, who does a ton of voices on The Simpsons, including Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, Smithers and Ned Flanders.

Aerosmith

This was the first time a band played themselves, as they begin hanging out and performing at Moe’s, after the introduction of the Flaming Moe drink makes the bar a huge success.

Red Hot Chili Peppers in “Krusty Gets Kancelled” (Season Four)

After Krusty the Klown’s show gets canceled, the Simpsons recruit his celebrity friends, including The Chilis, to appear on a comeback special. In reference to their occasional nude antics, the band is shown in their underwear throughout the episode.

The Ramones in “Rosebud” (Season Five)

Mr. Matt Groening has listed this guest appearance by the influential punk group, as his favorite among all the Simpsons guest stars. Burns discovers that his beloved childhood teddy bear Bobo, whom he lost years ago, has fallen into the possession of Maggie. He does everything in his evil power to get Bobo back from the baby. At the show’s opening, The Ramones play a birthday party for Mr. Burns, performing a punk rock version of “Happy Birthday to You.” In less than a minute of screen time, the band deliver a flurry of great jokes, as their performance of “Happy Birthday” for Mr. Burns is added to with lines like, “Hey, up yours Springfield!” and “Go to hell, you old bastard!”, all capped off with the clueless Burns ordering, “Have the Rolling Stones killed.”

Smashing Pumpkins in “Homerpalooza” (Season Seven)

Determined to prove he’s still hip, Homer takes his kids to an alternative-rock festival show. His ability to survive being shot in the stomach with a cannon lands him a spot on the festival bill, where he befriends the Pumpkins.

Sonic Youth in “Homerpalooza” (Season Seven)

Sonic Youth appeared alongside smashing Pumpkins and Cypress Hill in the ‘Homerpalooza episode’ (May 1996)

Cypress Hill in “Homerpalooza” (Season Seven)

Appearing alongside Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth in the ‘Homerpalooza episode’ (May 1996), Cypress Hill performed ‘Insane In The Brain’, only this time with the London Symphony Orchestra (which they had accidentally ordered while high)

U2 in “Trash of the Titans” (Season Nine)

Homer decides to run for sanitation commissioner. As part of his hapless campaign, he hijacks a U2 concert to get his message across. Spoofing his self-serious, socially-conscious persona, Bono demands that the band’s fans listen to Homer’s crackpot message because trash “affects the whole damn planet.” The Edge, looking annoyed, murmurs, “Oh, here we go …”

The Who in “A Tale of Two Springfields” (Season 12)

Angered that the city now has two area codes, Homer leads a rebellious faction that splits from Springfield, forming their own (poorly run) town known as New Springfield. As a way to make Springfield jealous, Homer tricks The Who into playing New Springfield.

R.E.M. in “Homer the Moe” (Season 13)

Moe decides his bar needs to be revamped into a snooty, upscale establishment. Annoyed, Homer starts his own bar in his garage, inviting REM to perform. In another great example of a band tweaking its image, Michael Stipe gets angry and breaks a bottle in half, preparing to use it as a weapon. The other band members restrain him, as guitarist Peter Buck says, “That’s not the R.E.M. way.” Embarrassed, Stipe replies, “You’re right. Let’s recycle those shards and get out of here.”

The Rolling Stones in “How I Spent My Strummer Vacation” (Season 14)

Depressed that his family has sucked the spontaneity from his life, Homer goes to a rock fantasy camp run by the Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. They get big laughs playing the aging-songwriting version of an adorable old married couple. This episode also featured Elvis Costello and Lenny Kravitz.

Metallica in “The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer” (Season 18)

Metallica appearance had nothing to do with the actual plot: Otto drives by the band as they stand by their broken-down tour bus. When he offers them a lift, James Hetfield responds warily, “We don’t take rides from strangers.” Also, we learn that if you have ever waved a lighter during a Metallica concert, the band members will instantly recognize you and remember your exact seat number.

The White Stripes in “Jazzy and the Pussycats” (Season 18)

Bart becomes a world-class drummer, joining a jazz ensemble and hanging out with the White Stripes The rock showdown between Bart and the White Stripes mimics the group’s stop-motion video for “The Hardest Button to Button.”

David Byrne

The leader of Talking Heads produces and co-records Homer’s song “Everybody Hates Ned Flanders”, he then sings the extended salsa mix of the song and gets thrown onto Moe’s car, at that Moe says “You ever see the movie Misery?” “No.” “Then this’ll be a whole new experience for ya.”

Weird Al

Weird Al has been on the show 3 times. My favorite is when he parodies Homer’s grunge song in the episode “That 90′s Show”.

Tom Jones

Tom Jones as Himself in Marge Gets a Job , where Mr. Burns attempts to seduce Marge with the help of the kidnapped singer, after Marge states the Welshman is her favourite.

Green Day

When Springfield made it to the silver screen in 2007′s ‘The Simpsons Movie’, Green Day did a cameo. They are killed early on, when the polluted Lake Springfield corrodes the stage during their performance – but at least they got to record a version of the theme song, which was also released as a single.

Kid Rock

Oh, that Homer. In an episode that aired just after the turn of the millennium, Homer, saddened to learn that he may only have four more years to live, meets up with some rowdy Spring Breakers during a trip to Florida to “recover.” There, all fears of mortality aside, Homer attends that undisputed king of white-dude rap-metal’s concert.

Britney Spears

Way back in January 2000 (yes, she has been famous for over a decade now), Britney Spears popped up on The Simpsons to present an award to the city’s oldest man, Cornelius Chapman. Sure, she may have subsequently killed him with her kiss, but at least he died happy.

‘N Sync

Before he broke free from the pack for a surprisingly interesting solo career, Britney’s then-beau Justin Timberlake was just another member of pubescent boy band ‘N Sync. In retrospect, we should have known that the group’s appearance on an episode meant to send up their whole embarrassing genre was a sign of good things to come.

The Dixie Chicks

Listen, we’ll never stop being happy that the Dixie Chicks were brave enough to stand up against George W. Bush. But nothing could make us love their pop-country balladry. Still, they’re an essential part of the plot in an episode of the show that features Springfield’s local fallen country star, Lurleen Lumpkin.

Coldplay

Earlier this year, The Simpsons celebrated their 20th anniversary on air by bestowing upon Homer a million-dollar lottery windfall. We’re kind of disappointed that he spent his money by choosing Coldplay, of all bands, to serenade his his family. But at least Chris Martin, et. al., seemed to have fun recording for the show.

50 Cent

On a 2005 episode called “Pranksta Rap,” in which Bart gets himself into trouble at hip-hop show, he runs into Fitty. The uninspiring pop rapper, who’s seen his share of juvenile delinquent behavior, waxes philosophical and advises the pint-size troublemaker to stay in school.

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper as Herself in Wild Barts Can’t Be Broken, where she sings The Star Spangled Banner to the tune of her 1984 hit Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

Paul and Linda McCartney

Episode: Lisa the Vegetarian. This is my favorite episode of all time! Paul and Linda McCartney talk with Lisa about the benefits of going veg. She sees the light and has been veg on the series ever since. Of course Apu still has disdain for her because she is not vegan.

OK. So compiling this list is a lot bigger project than I anticipated. From now on, pix only!

Robert Goulet

$pringfield (Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)

Linda Ronstadt

James Brown

Paul Anka

The Moody Blues

Dolly Parton

Tito Puente

James Taylor

Barry White

Blink 182

Ludacris

Sting

Tom Petty

Phish

Peter Frampton

Elvis Costello

Brian Setzer

Brave Combo

Prince

Lionel Ritche

Randy Bachman

Queen

Elvis Costello

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Placido Domingo

No Doubt

Jimi Hendrix

Jackson Browne

Glen Hansard

Amy Winehouse

Ringo Star

Lenny Kravitz

Joanna Newsom

George Harrison

Elton John

Alas, I couldn’t find images of Hank Williams, Jr, The B-52′s , Fred Turner but they have also had cameos.

Please let us know if there’s anyone we forgot!

Matt Groening Simpsonsizes Joanna Newsom

paige — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:41:16 +0000

Matt Groenig, if you’ve been living under a rock, is “that guy” who does The Simpsons and Futurama, and recently curated All Tomorrow’s Parties in Minehead, U.K. He drew pictures of the musicians that played. After ATP, The Guardian talked to Joanna Newsom, about her newly bestowed honor:

“Holy shit! I’m a Simpson! I made it!” She giggles, and there is a trace of that famous squeak. “I don’t need a damn Grammy or anything. That’s the sort of magic all this madness is for.”

Hundreds of celebrities have been “Simpsonized” over the years. This post got me wondering how many musicians have made cameos or have appeared in episodes. Stay tuned for a complete list!

Gimmie Gimmie Back My Glasses!

phil — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:21:13 +0000

I just heard this on a Lenscrafters commercial. I had to put on the record just to double triple check that it was actually the Hunx and his Punx version.

The comments section on youtube for this are funny. Some heard it on the commercial and thought it was “gay”; yes they were being rude and offensive (and they are gay.) Others thought it was a sell-out. Well guess what? If you were in a band who toured for years and put out a bunch of 7″‘s all while keeping your day jobs – you’d be chuffed, that’s what! I think it’s kind of cool. Just like Hunx.

Here’s the video. If you haven’t picked up their newly released collection, appropriately titled Gay Singles you’re missing out on a fun Ramones vs. Ronettes Romp! Check out another cleverly crafted video for ‘Cruisin’ after the jump.

‘SNL’: Bjork has written an Icelandic Lullaby to help the volcano go to sleep (VIDEO)

paige — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 17:52:22 +0000

SNL’ opened the show last night with a sketch dedicated to coverage of the ash caused by Eyjafjallajokull’s volcano. The airline-crippling eruption really served as a jumping off point for some great impersonations – Larry King, Richard Branson, and notably Bjork, played to perfection by Kristen Wiig. “Iceland’s only celebrity” proudly announced that something positive has actually come out it: “Iceland is now the world’s #1 exporter of volcanic ash. Previously our main exports were reindeer bones and giggles.” Economy saved. (via huffingtonpost.com)

“Okay… Ben Gibbard? Ummm… How do people know you?”

paige — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:49:10 +0000

Scott Lapatine and Joe Mande of Stereogum interviewed Ben Gibbard at SXSW, feigning that they mistook him for Beth Gibbons, the lead singer of Portishead. The interviewers play the situation as if they really have no idea who Gibbard really is. There’s a brief and tragic attempt at covering Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds” and even a bit of non-sequitor holocaust humor at the expense of Anne Frank. Gibbard plays it completely straight. Zoey’s talents must be rubbing off; Clearly his acting skills have improved since “Brief Interviews with Hideous Men.”

I’m happy to see that he’s got a more tamed ‘do and the crazy mutton chop sideburns are history. Maybe someone gave him a makeover? Given all the straight faced silliness, the one question that remains is, “Can it really be true that Ben Gibbard doesn’t know who Justin Bieber is?” We can only wish.

New Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town

paige — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:39:11 +0000

Long before Broken Social Scene, Toronto birthed its most formidable indie collective: The Kids in the Hall. I’ll surely date myself, but I still have a shit quality homemade VCR tape that Phil made me for my 21st birthday (complete with hand decorated cover) that contained 10 precious episodes of Kids In The Hall all on one extended play tape. This was pre-Tivo , pre-DVD writables, pre-YouTube, folks. Probably most of our readers were still in diapers when these shows first aired. But I digress…

The Kids are back with “Death Comes to Town“, an eight-part mini-series airing on the CBC. To mark the Kids’ triumphant return to Canadian TV, Torontoist is interviewing a different member of the troupe more-or-less every other week while Death airs.

So far Torontoist has published interviews with Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, and Scott Thompson. They’ve also gathered lots of funny old clips from the original series and a few bits from the new one as well. All the interviews are amassed on a “Back in the Hall” page on the Torontoist site.

I have no idea if this miniseries is available on cable here in the USA, but you can purchase individual episodes via the Canadian iTunes store.

Proud To Be A Music Lover!

phil — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:19:17 +0000

I spent the last weekend with my gay brothers and sisters celebrating Gay Pride here in Seattle. I don’t usually celebrate with the crowds – it’s always too sunny and/or crowded and way expensive. This year I made it through with the company of good friends and some really great music moments.

On Friday, I busted out the camp and Disco for my weekly residency at Seattle’s loudest and dirtiest bar, the Eagle. It wasn’t so crowded at the beginning, but the crowd grew and grew and I paced myself pretty well, if I say so myself! It’s always fun to get away with some of the more campy tracks like “Harper Valley P.T.A.” as done by the Enoch Light Singers or “Groove Is In The Heart” by Deee-Lite. “Too happy” can sometimes fall flat in a cruise bar, but how could I pass up the opportunity to drop “Heaven Must Have Sent You” by Bonnie Pointer, “Our Love” by Donna Summer (mixes out with Blue Monday, of course!) or “Be Near Me” (Munich Disco Mix) by ABC!

Besides a few jerks who made negative comments and left during my Michael Jackson mini-set, the reaction from the room for the whole night was great and I hope I gave everyone a great start to Pride 2009!

Saturday started out rough – I had to work at 9:30 the morning after DJing until 2 A.M. – Ooof! I took a half day and ended up over at the Artopia Festival in Georgetown, just south of downtown by Boeing Field. First stop was to see my friend Scott Shoemaker’s band, The Quit. I love it when you find out that your friends are more talented than you ever knew. I purchased some great art by Jim Woodring (see below) and some reasonably priced vinyl at Georgetown Records, who recently made The Color Awesome’s list of must-visit Seattle area record shops.

For a Jackson, I got me some Sylvester (StepII!), some Bill Nelson and Mystic Moods plus a very rare 12″ by Maurice and the Cliches called “Soft Core”. Some very expensive pizza, some custard and a disco nap later, I found myself back at the Eagle, but not as a DJ! My old pal Tom Smith brought his own camp in the form of mostly Disco records – which ALWAYS gets a huge thumbs up from me! I had “Stomp” by Brothers Johnson stuck in my head long after the music stopped. I got super drunky and managed not to make an ass out of myself – I also managed to not get laid, but I’m used to that, so I didn’t feel too let down.

Sunday was by far the best of the three days! A bunch of friends and I went to Tom Douglas’ Dahlia Lounge for brunch right on the parade route. As I am not one for crowds, it was pretty nice to look out once in a while to check out the craziness.

After a couple of mimosas and amazing food, we regrouped and went over to The Funhouse, Seattle’s coolest punk friendly club, for their annual Pride party. It’s at the base of the Space Needle where parade watchers and participants end up for a day of gayness. We experienced some of the most unique bands out there right now and danced to some great classics. I danced to OMD, Time Zone, Trans-X, The Go-Go’s and DJ Baby J’s secret weapon, Joan of Ass! It was a friendly environment packed with like minded music lovers – and it wasn’t too crowded.

Hunx and His Punx were the hyped out of town band for the Funhouse party and they lived up to it. I’m going to go with one part Toy Dolls, one part Ramones, one part Ronettes and a dash of helium balloon inhaling. The band was tight, which is always a plus with bands who are perceived as “kitchy”. Hunx is a great front man – his on-stage banter was hilarious and delivered the way friends rib each other during beers. There was even a kissing contest, which if memory serves, Erik won! This band will be so heard of by everyone at the end of the year – it’s fun, it’s original and there were no drum machines.

Drum machines aren’t always bad though! A few of us in the know stepped across to the official festival site to check out another up and coming-I swear to God you’re gonna love ‘em-you heard about it here first band called Thee Satisfaction.

Two girlfriends and a DJ who looks like a member of Jud Apatow’s “Jew Crew” – which is to say, totally adorable. Their artist statement pretty much says it all: “THEESatisfaction’s spaceship landed in the heart of Seattle, Washington with the hope of saving it from musical oppression. They became refugees on the planet Mars but escaped the green and purple martians in search of something new. They seek justice, peace and love. Through their music they hope to inspire revolutionary thoughts. Fusing nebula-jazz, intergalactic-soul, and astronomical-a capella they will funk you up. YEE.” Check out a couple of their songs on their myspace and web pages!

The day got more crazy as we walked back to The Funhouse for more dancing, beers and Ononos. I don’t know how to describe them, but the photo is pretty telling on its own. Something of a tribute band to Yoko Ono, but no Yoko songs (I might be wrong here) is what I got from it. Their lead singer, who’s stage name I do not know, is dressed head to toe in a black leotard with tafetta trim and thigh-high black and white American Apparel-type socks. The drummer and keyboard/producer were dressed in white with veils which completely covered their faces as well – think a member of Prince’s Revolution back in the day. With obvious nods to early DEVO, Nina Hagen and other crunchy, early 80′s contemporaries, Ononos had everyone in the room either dancing their butts off, or dropping their jaws in shock and amazement. I am pretty sure after the amount of beers we were drinking that I was doing both! I know two of the three members of Ononos, but I have never seen them like this.

After some dinner with friends and a quick pit-stop by the apartment to get the Georgetown Records shopping trip, it was back to the Eagle for more DJing. I finished out the weekend the way I started it. With the help of a Red Bull I was able to play some of the records that didn’t make it into the set on Friday including a crazy disco version of the Rocky theme and Sparks’ “Tryouts For The Human Race”.

All in all, this will be a weekend I will always remember. Wherever you live, you can become bored and complacent with your surroundings. The weather here was perfect for the day and getting out and seeing (and hearing) new things this weekend has hit my Seattle reset button. With new nights like the upcoming COUNCIL and HARD TIMES and artists like the ones I’ve introduced you to here, Seattle is definitely seeing a turn-around. Young people have a different attitude than the hipsters of 8 years ago. It seems that they are more independent rather that trying to prove themselves to one another. Seattle is growing up and it’s the new kids who are making it happen.

Happy Mother’s Day: Timberlake and Samberg’s “Motherlover”

paige — Sun, 10 May 2009 21:18:55 +0000

It’s Mother’s Day. What have you done for *your* mom lately? I almost peed my pants when I first saw this on SNL last night. Justin Timberlake is one funny guy. The cameos by Susan Sarandon and Patricia Clarkson are the icing on the cake. This download is from Hulu and avoids the commercials from NBC. Hope you enjoy!

Full Lyrics after the jump.

Motherlover Lyrics

Andy Samberg: Oh dang..

Justin Timberlake: What is it dawg?

AS: I forgot it’s Mother’s Day.

JT: Didn’t get a gift for her?

AS: Other plans got in the way. She’ll be so disappointed.

JT: Damn, I forgot it too.

AS: This could have been avoided.

Both: What the hell are we gonna do?

JT: My mom’s been so forlorn…

Ever since my daddy left.

AS: COLD

JT: No one to hold her tight

Life has put her to the test.

AS: I know just what you mean,

my mom’s been so sad and gray

JT: Word

AS: My dad can’t satisfy her in the bedroom ever since he passed away.

Both: Hold up.

AS: You thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?

JT: I’m thinkin’ – I’m thinkin’ too

Both: Slow up

AS: What time is it dawg?

JT: It’s time for a switcharoo

Both: We both love our moms, women with grown women needs
I say we break ‘em off
Show ‘em how much they really mean
’cause I’m a Motherlover
you’re a Motherlover
We should fuck each others mothers

JT: Fuck each others moms
You’ve seen that place where you came out as a baby
ain’t no doubt that shit is crazy
Fuck each others moms

Both:’cause every Mother’s Day needs a Mother’s Night
If doing it is wrong, I don’t wanna be right
I’m callin’ on you ’cause I can’t do it myself
to me your like a brother, so be my mother lover

AS: I’m layin’ in the cut waitin’ for your mom
clutchin’ on this lube and roses

JT: I got my digital camera, I’m gonna make your momma do a million poses

AS: They will be so surprised

JT: We are so cool and thoughtful

AS: Can’t wait to pork your mom

JT: I’m gonna be the syrup, she can be my waffle

Both: Sure ‘nough!

JT: My mother loves bubble bath with chamomile

Both: Straight up

AS: Give it to my mom d – d- d – d- d – d – doggystyle

Both: This the perfect plan
For a perfect Mother’s Day
They have to rename this one
“All up under the covers day”
‘Cause I’m a Motherlover
you’re a Motherlover
We should fuck each others mothers

JT:Fuck each others moms
I’ll push in that place where you came out as a baby
ain’t no doubt that shit is crazy
Fuck each others moms

AS:Break it down
It would be my honor to be your new step-father

JT: It would be my honor to be your new step-father

AS:I’ll let you do my mother
make me another brother
and I’m gonna do your mother
I’ll never use a rubber

JT: OH
’cause every Mother’s Day needs a mother’s night
If doing it is wrong, I don’t wanna be right
I’m callin’ on you ’cause I can’t do it myself
to me your like a brother, so be my mother lover
They blessed us both with the gift of life
She brought you in this world so I’m gonna sex her right
This is the second best idea that we’ve ever had
The choice can be no other
Be my mother lover…

A Gift for Mom: The Mom Translator

paige — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:22:37 +0000

I know my mom needs one of these. How about yours? Another great commercial from SNL.

A Gift for Mom: Mom Jeans

paige — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:28:05 +0000

Mother’s day is Sunday. Looking for a mother’s day gift for mom? How about some mom jeans? A classic from SNL.

Happy 420! New Video – Family Guy “Bag of Weed”

paige — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:20:49 +0000

Happy 420, everyone!

I really wanted to drive down to Porter Meadow at UC Santa Cruz photograph their annual “420 Celebration“, especially since it’s 90 degrees here in Palo Alto today. However, there are some photoshoots you just shouldn’t take your kids to and this would definitely be one of them.

So in the spirit of the day, I give you the new ditty from Family Guy, “Bag of Weed”. Usually Family Guy’s humor is just a tad too mean for my tastes, but this one is a hoot. Stewie shows Brian how to get people to fight for his cause to the tune of ~~Mary Poppins “Step in Time.”~~ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s “Me Ole Bamboo. This is sure to be a classic. This is the full official high-quality video, not just an mp3 with poor graphic stills slapped on.

Many thanks to flickr user foxtounge for the creative commons licensed image above.