Inspiration comes in various forms, and for one Phoenix-based metal band, it came in the form of Ned Flanders.
The band – named Okilly Dokilly, after Flanders’s famous catch phrase – dedicated themselves fully to the sickeningly saccharine neighbor from the popular animated television series, The Simpsons. This dedication to all things Ned Flanders is evidenced by photos on their Facebook page, which depict the men in the band wearing Flanders’s trademark look of a green sweater with a pink collared Polo-style shirt underneath, dark – almost slate colored – grey dress pants, and they finished of the look with his classic round glasses.
Furthering the theme, the band members have taken on Flanders-related names. Time, citing the Independent, lists the names as: “Head Ned, Bled Ned, Red Ned, Thread Ned and Stead Ned.” The Phoenix New Times lists that Head Ned is the vocalist, Red Ned plays keytar, Thread Ned plays bass, Stead Ned is on guitar, and bringing up the rear is Bled Ned on drums.
The Phoenix New Times states that “band has released four tracks so far, and they’re surprisingly well put-together for a novelty act about a Simpsons side character.”
To date, the tracks they’ve released are: “They Warned Me,” “Nothing At All,” “Please Destruct Button,” and “All That Is Left.”
The Phoenix New Times states that “All That Is Left,” is “a nod to Flanders’ doomed business selling accessories for southpaws, The Leftorium.” And, they additionally report that “Nothing At All” was inspired by Flanders’s ski suit and comment in “Little Big Mom,” the 10th episode of The Simpson’s eleventh season.
Take a listen to each of those four songs, below, courtesy of the band’s page on Bandcamp.
Although the character that inspired Okilly Dokilly may be sweet, at the center, they still are a metal band. And, the men seem to know exactly where their genre, called Nedal, fits into the larger picture. Nedal is described as “Not as fast as Bartcore, and a little cleaner than Krusty Punk,” Time reports that Head Ned told Australian culture blog Rip It Up of their distinctive music. “Not as heavy as Homer J.ent — Nedal is a happy medium in the Simpscene.”
And, lastly if you like what you’re hearing and happen to live – or be near – Phoenix, you’ll have an opportunity to catch the band live in concert on September 5th, 2015. They are playing at Trunk Space, and will be joined by Man-Cat, Hug of War, and Andy Warpigs.
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