Top 10 Weirdest Bands of All Time
Some bands just don't care about rules, expectations, or making sense to the average listener. Honestly, that's kind of the point. These are the groups that turn heads, raise eyebrows, and leave people wondering if they're hearing art, madness, or both at the same time.This list is for the bands that made their own lane. Then they paved it with whoopee cushions, painted it neon green, and drove a clown car down it while playing an accordion solo. They're not trying to be radio friendly. They're not even necessarily trying to be understood. They just throw everything into the music. Strange sounds, bizarre lyrics, wild costumes, unhinged stage antics. If someone out there is weird enough to appreciate it, that's a win.
Of course, weird doesn't always mean bad. A lot of these bands have loyal followings and serious musical chops behind all the chaos. You might hear one of their songs and think it's just noise. Then you listen again and realize it's secretly genius. Or you might still think it's just noise. That's fine too. The point is, these bands are doing things nobody else is doing. That alone earns them a spot on this list.
Primus is an American funk metal band based in San Francisco, California, currently composed of bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Tim Alexander. Les Claypool is regarded as one of the best bassists of all time for his slap-bass ability in notable songs like "My Name Is Mud",... read more Jerry was a race car driver. He drove so goddamn fast. Never did win no checkered flags but never did come in last.
I don't know where the hell they get their ideas. I just know their songs are fun as hell to sing along to. Hope I don't cause controversy saying this, but Les Claypool is the Jimi Hendrix of bass. Insane techniques, funky playing, and amazing riffs.
System of a Down is a great band. But in terms of weirdness, Primus takes the cake. System of a Down only has 2 or 3 weird songs, and the rest are actually on serious matters such as the government, war, and drugs.
All you need to do is look at Primus's album names to know they are the weirdest: Pork Soda, Frizzle Fry, Sailing the Seas of Cheese, Tales from the Punchbowl, The Brown Album, Green Naugahyde.
The Residents are an American art collective best known for avant-garde music and multimedia works. Since their first official release, Meet the Residents, the group has released over sixty albums, numerous music videos and short films, three CD-ROM projects, and ten DVDs. I love a lot of the bands on this list. I find them all unique in their weird way (although some bands are questionable, like System of a Down). Although I love Primus, The Residents should definitely be number 1 on this list.
They experimented even more than the bands on this list, had a unique style in each of their albums, and were absurd and silly - basically the kings of weird music.
One of the most innovative bands of all time, they made some of the purest, unapologetically over-the-top avant-garde music of all time. They also made some of the first music videos and had an insanely unique live show, all while managing to keep their identities hidden for 30+ years.
Easily the weirdest band on this list, if not one of the weirdest of all time.
System of a Down, formed in 1994, is an Armenian-American alternative metal group from Glendale, California. The band name is sometimes shortened to System or SOAD. They've always been a very political band since their inception. Often being against genocide and war most notably in songs like: Pluck,... read more I don't necessarily like the band or the majority of their songs, but I know they're unbelievably weird. Their sound, their singers, and their image are all just plain weird.
Very unusual and original. Ever seen a bassist with a 10-inch-long beard? I don't think so! Check out Vicinity of Obscenity. That song is insane.
They definitely are weird. Just listen to songs like Bounce, Vicinity of Obscenity, She's Like Heroin, and Peephole. Also, how could I forget I-E-A-I-A-I-O?
Gwar, often styled as GWAR, is an American heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984, composed of and operated by a frequently rotating line-up of musicians, artists and filmmakers collectively known as Slave Pit Inc.
The Mothers of Invention were an American rock band from California that served as the backing musicians for Frank Zappa. Their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. He was as odd as he was talented. He was a musical genius who defined and influenced music, progressive, alternative, and indie music. He played jazz, rock, classical, and comic music. He was odd and talented.
Lumpy Gravy, Uncle Meat, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Weasels Ripped My Flesh, Studio Tan. The list goes on.
Definitely the weirdest on the list. Take a listen to Inca Roads from One Size Fits All.
P.S. Jethro Tull isn't weird. They're just, um, unorthodox.
Mr. Bungle was an American experimental rock band from Northern California. Known for a highly eclectic style, the band often cycled through several musical genres within the course of a single song, including heavy metal, avant-garde jazz, ska, disco as well as funk. Actually sounds pretty good, and the weirdness is what makes it special!
Primus, Zappa, and this one should be at the top (don't mind the order). System of a Down should be close to ten. We are talking about weird music, not weird looks.
Just listen to their song "Quote Unquote."
Listen to Dachau Blues. If you don't think it's weird, you are not human. Funny how they influenced almost every indie band. Without a doubt, Beefheart's band was the apotheosis of weird brilliance.
Such unique music in the 60s. Primus at #1 is understandable, but I bet they were inspired by Captain Beefheart.
Their music is in a whole other dimension. You really question what music is after hearing them.
Marilyn Manson is an American rock band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by frontman Marilyn Manson and Daisy Berkowitz, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early 1990s... read more The name comes from the famous sex symbol Marilyn Monroe and the famous criminal Charles Manson. Manson joined these two together because he wanted a name combining good (Monroe) and evil (Manson).
The other members of the band have stage names combining the first names of famous pop icons and the last names of famous serial killers.
Marilyn Manson is extremely different (in a good way) and is one of my favorite artists of all time. No musician would have the guts to stand up in front of millions of people and yell that they're the Antichrist Superstar. His gimmicks and music just spell D-I-F-F-E-R-E-N-T.
Ween is an American experimental rock band formed in 1984, in New Hope, PA. It's members are Dean and Gene Ween. Scathe with a lathe all the days in the past. I can't put my finger on it!
Mister, would you please help my pony?
How could they not be on the list?
The Naked Brothers Band is an American children's television series created by Polly Draper for Nickelodeon.The Newcomers
The side project of Jimmy Urine and Steve Righ? (Not asking this as a question, his stage name is stylized with a question mark) of Mindless Self Indulgence.
One of their two albums features a crudely drawn Captain Crunch with his middle finger up.
XavlegbmaofffassssitimiwoamndutroabcwapwaeiippohfffX is a South African brutal death metal band formed in 2012. Known for their humorous and intentionally convoluted name, the band often incorporates elements of grindcore and slam into their music. Their lyrics are typically absurd and comedic, poking... read more Did they just fall asleep on their keyboard, wake up, and decide that would be the name of the band?
Butthole Surfers is an American rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. A good metal band, but their songs and album names are seriously messed up, and so are their live shows.
What kind of name is Butthole Surfers?
Their albums are super strange, but it's nothing compared to what they did at their live shows.
So glad to see Gong here. While I wouldn't say they're the weirdest, they are the best at being weird yet enjoyable at the same time. Couldn't say the same for some of the other strange things I've heard.
Just looking at the song titles of their album Angel's Egg can make some people believe that these Aussies are in a special class of weird people.
Radio Gnome Invisible? What was running through their minds?
Anal C*** was an American grindcore band founded by vocalist Seth Putnam in 1988 in Newton, Massachusetts. The band is known for their highly offensive lyrics which included themes of misogyny, homophobia, racism, Nazism, antisemitism, and schadenfreude (ridicule of the unfortunate). Their music has... read more They are pretty hilarious. I just hope they don't mean what they say in their songs.
They have some of the most offensive songs you'll ever hear in your entire life.
Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. The band consisted of 5 members - David Gilmour (Vocals and Guitar), Syd Barrett (Vocals and Guitar), Nick Mason (Drums), Roger Waters... read more Extremely unique and very creative band. Each song has a strange, unusual sound to it. The members are consistently able to portray these odd techniques in a way that sounds delightful.
Look up Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict. Besides that song, they are the best.
Try to name one Pink Floyd song that doesn't have some peculiar noise, voice, or action going on in the background. Still an amazing band nonetheless.
That's a pretty weird name. Well, I can give you plenty of those, like "Crappy the Clown and the Punch Drunk Monkeys," "Gee That's a Large Beetle I Wonder If It's Poisonous," or "A Box of Fish with Tartar Sauce."
At least there is no lack of art in this field.
Haha! Love this. How do bands arrive at these names? The mind boggles. Great stuff!
Why would someone give such a strange name to their band?
Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1984 in Oslo, regarded as one of the pioneers of the Norwegian black metal scene. The band is also known for the infamous events surrounding them including the 1991 suicide of vocalist Dead (in which former guitarist Euronymous took pictures of Dead's... read more The cover of Dawn of the Black Hearts. That's all I need to say.
One of the most evil bands of all time.
Kevin Michael "GG" Allin (born Jesus Christ Allin; 1956-1993) was an American singer, songwriter and record producer, who performed and recorded with many groups during his career. He was best known for his graphic live performances which included self-mutilation, parading around the stage naked, fighting... read more The dude was the wildest one on this list. His music is less strange than the man himself.
I'm listening to them right now. I'll tell you one thing, I wouldn't consider what they create as music but as auditory art.
Why, you ask, is it not music? Well, there is no structure to their songs. There are lyrics and electric guitar. This is a band you just have to listen to as background music to things you do, such as typing a comment on this website. Also, their 2009 release titled Monoliths and Dimensions is critically acclaimed.
I must say, I found their music boring for the first 7 minutes of listening. Then, I just listened, which is what this band's music is for.
Iwrestledabearonce (often stylized in all lowercase. Abbreviated as IWABO) was an American metalcore band formed in 2007 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
In their nine years together, they released one EP, four full-length albums, and two remixed releases. Their music is basically brutal deathcore but with melodic parts towards the ends of their songs. The band is now called Spiritbox.
It looks like someone accidentally put their head on the keyboard.
Limp Bizkit is an American nu-metal/rap metal/rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 1994. Their lineup consists of Fred Durst, Sam Rivers, John Otto, and Wes Borland. They're mostly known for their singles like Break Stuff, My Way, My Generation, Nookie, Eat You Alive, Rollin', and Take a... read more Their name roughly translates to Weak Cookie.
Babymetal is a Japanese metal idol band. Their line-up consists of Suzuka Nakamoto as "Su-metal", Yui Mizuno as "Yuimetal", and Moa Kikuchi as "Moametal". Three teenage Asian chicks who don't even play instruments and don't really know what metal is. That's why they sound weird, but they're not that bad.
Cute imagery of J-Pop infused with the dark and heavy music of heavy metal.
Die Antwoord (pronounced [di ˈantvuərt], Afrikaans for "The Answer") is a South African alternative hip hop group formed in Cape Town in 2008. The group is comprised of rappers Watkin Tudor "Ninja" Jones and Anri "Yolandi Visser" du Toit, a male/female duo. They were initially joined by producers... read more Fink U Freeky is a creative freak-out video alone. Check out Umshini Wam, more of a mini film, but weirdly wonderful how they socked it to Lady Gaga in Fatty Boom Boom.
Mindless Self Indulgence is an American electropunk band formed in New York City in 1997. Their music has a mixed style which includes punk rock, alternative rock, electronica, techno, industrial, hip hop and breakbeat hardcore. MSI are unusual, but in a good way. Every new album is different from the last, and their lyrics are twisted and strange, which is what makes them funny and awesome.
Jimmy Urine is an eccentric weirdo legend lead singer. Steve Righ? is the weirdest guitarist you've ever seen on stage. Sometimes I wonder what goes on in his head. Kitty is a super smiley and enthusiastic drummer, and I've never seen someone look so excited on stage. She makes all of her strange frilly punk dresses herself. Lyn-Z is a badass bass player who really rocks the punk schoolgirl look, and her backbend is freaky but amazing.
Tool is an American alternative metal/progressive metal band, that was formed in 1990.The band is set together between Maynard James Keenan (Vocals), Danny Carey (Drums), Adam Jones (Guitar) and since 1995 Justin Chancellor (Bass).
The band is known for their influences from electronic... read more
Singer Maynard James Keenan is a psychopath. Guitarist Adam Jones creates symbolic art and messed-up videos. Drummer Danny Carey incorporates esoteric Kabbalah symbols.
The most normal guys in Tool have been the bassists Paul D'Amour and Justin Chancellor. D'Amour is out (he was still weird), and Chancellor isn't the most expressive guy. He also tends to do weird things in concerts.
Maynard James Keenan hides behind a shower curtain covered in blue paint, naked during live concerts. Their bassist paints himself red and white. Their guitarist shows off his pictures of Stimpy. Their drummer wears a Lakers jersey. Wut.