We’ve all heard of Spinal Tap and Tenacious D. They make you bang your head and laugh your ass off at the same time. As good as they are, they have been stealing the limelight from the following artists.

Arnocorps

Despite popular belief, Arnocorps are not an Arnold Schwarzenegger tribute band. Their mission is actually one of education. The films we know as Terminator, Predator and Total Recall are in fact ancient Austrian folk tales of heroism that have been bastardized by Hollywood over the years by a certain Austrian actor and politician. Arnocorps are spreading the truth through the power of action adventure rock and roll. I had the pleasure of seeing them live in the Black Box in Belfast a few years ago; you can’t understand a truly great live performance until you have seen a singer pick up an audience member, lift him above his head and throw him into the crowd, kicking off one of the most insane gigs I’ve ever been to.

Standout track: Judgement Day

MySpace: myspace.com/arnocorps

Roysta

It is a crime that more people have not heard of this guy. This man is without a doubt the greatest rapper in Northern Ireland. His backing tracks are unreal; samples are taken from a huge variety of music genres and different media. The lyrics on the surface may seem juvenile, but listen closely. Roysta is a lyrical genius. His live shows featuring the Dirtcore Death Squad destroy most other acts in the country.

Standout track: The Fine Art of Self Abuse

MySpace: myspace.com/dirtcoredeathsquad

Download all of Roysta’s albums legally for free at Last.fm!

Steel Panther

Steel Panther take the listener back to a time when the manliest of men wore make-up and the airwaves still rocked with the sweet sound of heavy metal: the 1980s. Their dedication to the metal cause is highlighted in the anthemic, ‘Death to All But Metal,’ but the fun doesn’t stop out there. Asian Hookers, strippers, fat girls, ugly girls, hell; the Panther educate the masses on how to rock and are hilarious when they do it.

Standout track: Turn Out The Lights

MySpace: myspace.com/steelpantherkicksass

Stephen Lynch

Every now and again a comedian will come along that is shocking for the sake of it. Pedophilia, necrophilia, genocide; nothing is off limits to them. It is only very occasionally however that a comedian uses such topics and constructs truly hilarious jokes. Stephen Lynch does this with ease, with the added bonus that the jokes are in song format. Not only is he funny, he’s a phenomenal singer and his songs are seriously catchy. After one listen of a Stephen Lynch album you’ll be humming songs about pedophilia, necrophilia and gerbicide all day.

Standout track: Gerbil

MySpace: myspace.com/stephenlynch

Mr B

This Gentleman Rhymer is starting a hip hop revolution. Soon, it will be considered so uncool to use foul language and to rap about the plight of the common man. Mr B is adding a touch of class to the proceedings with his aristocratic brand of, ‘chap hop.’ It’s rap for high society. Forget Compton, B is coming Straight Out of Surrey.

Standout track: Let Me Smoke My Pipe

MySpace: myspace.com/mrbthegentlemanrhymer

Honourable Mentions

Mental Deficiency – You can’t expect me to write an article like this and not mention my own band can you?

Gama Bomb – Not quite comedy, but certainly up for a laugh and seriously good music.

GG Allin – This guy is hilarious.

Anal Cunt – Mostly rubbish except for the classic, ‘Picnic of Love,’ album.

Fail

Just not funny.

Austrian Death Machine – These guys are to Arnocorps what Batman and Robin is to Terminator.

If you have any comedy bands you can recommend add a comment below!

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Tags: arnocorps, belfast, comedy, gentleman rhymer, mr b, Music, roysta, stephen lynch