Recent years have seen a proliferation of musical acts employing evil-clown-themed imagery and lyrics. But how many actually reflect the evil-clown experience? And how can busy consumers choose which evil-clown band is best suited to their lifestyle? For those seeking just the right evil-clown band, The Onion A.V. Club offers this guide.
Name: Insane Clown Posse
Album: The Amazing Jeckel Brothers (1999)
How essential is evil-clown imagery to its appearance? ICP members Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope are never seen without clown make-up.
Do lyrics reflect the evil-clown theme? Yes.
Sample clown-related lyric: "Wicked clown, wicked clowns / Wicked clown, wicked clowns / Don't fuck with me / Wicked clown, wicked clowns" —"Assassins"
Evil-clown themes addressed in lyrics: Being a clown, being wicked.
Clown skills: Juggling.
Available for children's parties? Infrequently.
Clowncentricity (1-10): 9
Summary: Few bands are as publicly interested in synthesizing themes of clowndom and evil.
Name: Slipknot
Album: Slipknot (1999)
How essential is evil-clown imagery to its appearance? Not very. Each member wears a homemade mask, but only one is clown-related.
Do lyrics reflect the evil-clown theme? No.
Sample clown-related lyric: None. Slipknot's lyrics deal more with depression and violence.
Evil-clown themes addressed in lyrics: None.
Clown skills: None.
Available for children's parties? No.
Clowncentricity (1-10): 2
Summary: One member wears a clown mask, but the clowning itself seems incidental.
Name: Twiztid
Album: Mostasteless (1999)
How essential is evil-clown imagery to its appearance? Very. Twiztid's make-up, though not specifically clownish, owes a lot to its mentors in Insane Clown Posse.
Do lyrics reflect the evil-clown theme? Plenty of evil, precious little clowning. The only clown-related lyrics are by guests Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J.
Sample clown-related lyric: "I'll slide in your bed, for I got a surprise / You got clown make-up smeared on your inner thighs" —Violent J on "Spin The Bottle"
Evil-clown themes addressed in lyrics: Again, far more evil than clowning.
Clown skills: Twiztid showcases few skills, clowning or otherwise.
Available for children's parties? Wait a year.
Clowncentricity (1-10): 5
Summary: Despite its jovial/satanic appearance, Twiztid seems to lack interest in issues affecting the clowning community.
Name: Kiss
Album: Greatest Kiss (1997)
How essential is evil-clown imagery to its appearance? Somewhat. Kiss' make-up symbolizes alter egos such as "The Star Child" and "The Demon." They only look like clowns.
Do lyrics reflect the evil-clown theme? Not until 1998's Psycho Circus did Kiss acknowledge similarities between itself and its clown brethren.
Sample clown-related lyric: The word "clown" does not appear in the lyrics of Kiss.
Evil-clown themes addressed in lyrics: Not applicable.
Clown skills: Fire-breathing, blood-spitting.
Available for children's parties? No, but Kiss is available for corporate functions.
Clowncentricity (1-10): 3
Summary: Make-up may be some sort of gimmick.