Rubberbandits? love/hate?

pappyodaniel

Seeing as there are a lot of comedians here, what do ye fine people with comedic sensibilities think of The Rubberbandits?

They really are a love them/hate them comedy duo. Amongst my friends, I'm in the minority in that I think they are exceptionally good. They are edgy, surreal and very observant as they've been doing comedy (inadvertently) from a very young age. I know they use a lot of Limerick colloquialisms but in my opinion the comedy translates even if you're not familiar with the area. Their prank calls were done while in their mid teens and they still really hold up to this day.

In the last 2 years they've moved onto the comedy hip-hop circuit and have shared a stage with the legendary Ice Cube. Songs like Bag of Glue and Up Da Ra, are not only hillarious but hold up well as songs in their own right.

Any opinions?

frobisher

There's a comedy hip hop circuit?

I think they are brilliant anyway.

slickmcvic

....was at their gig in the academy last night...found them hillarious!!kinna knew what to expect from spending 4 yrs in limerick at college....some people at the gig (especially some girls!) didnt know what to make of them but their show was actually fairly professional and well put together....
hardy bucks were a bit of a let-down...they seem to have believed their a lot ot their own hype and just kept repeating cathphrases to rally the crowd...overall great gig though!

pappyodaniel

slickmcvic wrote: »

....was at their gig in the academy last night...found them hillarious!!kinna knew what to expect from spending 4 yrs in limerick at college....some people at the gig (especially some girls!) didnt know what to make of them but their show was actually fairly professional and well put together....
hardy bucks were a bit of a let-down...they seem to have believed their a lot ot their own hype and just kept repeating cathphrases to rally the crowd...overall great gig though!

I thought the bandits gig was spectacular. You're right about some of the females there. they seemed to have forgotten it was a comedy gig so in between the songs and when they were doin their skits, there was a lot of chatter from girls in front of me.
Met the Hardy Bucks boys in whelans the night before the gig, nice bunch of lads but they were saying they were very nervous about the live show, as they aren't a live act and apologised in advance. The show shambolic but there were a few laughs. It would have been a disaster though if they were on after the bandits...then it would have been a let down.

iercepa

apparently the Hardy Bucks went down a storm in their Galway gig the following wkd so they must be improving. the bandits were pretty good. the "up the ra" tune is hilarious.
i find that some people talk through nearly every gig i go to in Dublin, not just the bandits. bloody annoying

pappyodaniel

iercepa wrote: »

apparently the Hardy Bucks went down a storm in their Galway gig the following wkd so they must be improving.

Ya i seen footage of it on youtube, The Viper made an appearance. Enough said.

asdfgh86

Sorry to bump an old thread but I think they're are hilarious. There aren't too many things that make me laugh when no-ones around but the rubber bandits do.

heffomike54

Amazing group, can't wait to see them again. Epic stuff.:D:):cool:

sleepybleepy

The Rubber Bandits are coming to Athlone town at the end of the month, the 30th of October, for Blackbox Telly. Tickets available this friday the 15th of October between 7 & 9pm in the Passionfruit Theatre, Athlone. Some links from previous episodes of Blackbox Telly are below.. Tickets are 20 euro's and are limited to 60 in number..
Intimate, all seater gig with the men of the moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHsq20yFJ64

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PetIXk7DSyc&feature=related

itchy_sack

they are terrible on the republic of telly anyway. havent seen there other stuff. maybe its limerick humour. i hate karl spain too. maybe there is just nothing funny comin out of limerick.

Lord TSC

itchy_sack wrote: »

they are terrible on the republic of telly anyway. havent seen there other stuff. maybe its limerick humour. .

Agreed. Having only seen their RoT stuff, I don't like them at all. The odd laugh out loud moment but far more misses than hits

Royal Irish

Their spot on Republic of Telly isnt great, but their songs are great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY4ure_GSHw&feature=related

cuculainn

iercepa wrote: »

apparently the Hardy Bucks went down a storm in their Galway gig the following wkd so they must be improving. the bandits were pretty good. the "up the ra" tune is hilarious.
i find that some people talk through nearly every gig i go to in Dublin, not just the bandits. bloody annoying

Can't agree with that.......Hardy Bucks were a big let down........Rubberbandits are deadly though

Cpt_Blackbeard

itchy_sack wrote: »

they are terrible on the republic of telly anyway. havent seen there other stuff. maybe its limerick humour. i hate karl spain too. maybe there is just nothing funny comin out of limerick.

They are the only good thing about "The Republic of Telly". People probably don't like them because they are from Limerick, or that they prefer a more highbrow humour and look down on the likes of Tommy Tiernan. :rolleyes:


PS. I forgot to mention:
If you don't like them, you can fcuk off back to Cork

AnonoBoy

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

or that they prefer a more highbrow humour and look down on the likes of Tommy Tiernan. :rolleyes:

People look down on Tommy Tiernan because he's wasted what comedic talent he had (and he was excellent when he first became big) and has descended into a shouty, sweary "storyteller" who has lost the wit, sharpness and insight he once had.

Nothing to do with him being lowbrow.

Paparazzo

Royal Irish wrote: »

Their spot on Republic of Telly isnt great, but their songs are great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY4ure_GSHw&feature=related

No where near as good as Goldie Lookin Chain!

drunkmonkey

There excellent live with DJ Willy O'Dea on the decks:)

This is comedy gold

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UCS_iydiqI

Lloyderz

Hate them!

samsemtex

Lloyderz wrote: »

Hate them!

Why would you hate them? How could you not find Too many Gee or Bags of Glue funny. The lyrics are hilarious and they do spot on piss takes of knackers.

Cpt_Blackbeard

samsemtex wrote: »

Why would you hate them? How could you not find Too many Gee or Bags of Glue funny. The lyrics are hilarious and they do spot on piss takes of knackers.

Some people have no sense of humour

Galvasean

The only stuff I've seen from the Rubber Bandits was a few TV spots they've done criticising the X-Factor (they actually came across as being more fake than the X-Factor...) and I've heard the song 'Horse Outside' and didn't think much of it.

Cpt_Blackbeard

Galvasean wrote: »

The only stuff I've seen from the Rubber Bandits was a few TV spots they've done criticising the X-Factor (they actually came across as being more fake than the X-Factor...) and I've heard the song 'Horse Outside' and didn't think much of it.

They have loads of vids on youtube, they have been around for years but they were only really known around Limerick. It all depends on your sense of humour if you will like them or not though, but they must be doing something right to have Dara O'Brien singing their praises on Twitter.

Even if you don't like their commedy, I'd recommend watching Blindboy Boat Clup on LiveLine, he rips apart someone who was accusing them of glorifying the use of drugs around children. Link. If you listen to that and the lyrics of their songs you can't disagree that they are very very smart, despite what you think of their humour.

Miguel_Sanchez

Galvasean wrote: »

(they actually came across as being more fake than the X-Factor...)

They wear plastic bags over their faces and rap in cartoony Limerick accents. Did you actually think they were trying to be genuine?

Fair enough if you don't get them but saying they're more fake than the X-Factor is such a lazy criticism that doesn't even apply.

Dempo1

Greatest load of ****e, unfunny, uninteresting and pointless

StereoLove

I love them! 'Horse Outside' is brilliant!!:D

Galvasean

Jeff_Lebowski wrote: »

They wear plastic bags over their faces and rap in cartoony Limerick accents. Did you actually think they were trying to be genuine?

Fair enough if you don't get them but saying they're more fake than the X-Factor is such a lazy criticism that doesn't even apply.

Actually I think it does apply somewhat. They are being portrayed as saving us from another banal X-factor cover as Christmas number #1 (whetehr tahtis tehir own doing or the media playing it up i'm not sure). People hate the X-factor because it's so fake. The Rubber Bandits, to me, come across as trying too hard to be different on the (granted brief) radio piece I listened to. It sort of reminds me of last years Rage Against the Machine campaign. Now I like Rage a lot, but I don't consider myself some sort of anarchist/distributor of justice for wanting to keep X-factor off the #1 spot.

Galvasean

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Even if you don't like their commedy, I'd recommend watching Blindboy Boat Clup on LiveLine, he rips apart someone who was accusing them of glorifying the use of drugs around children. Link. If you listen to that and the lyrics of their songs you can't disagree that they are very very smart, despite what you think of their humour.

Haha, Duffy has no clue.
Actually, 'Blindboy' tears that 'Andrew' lad apart. Vey impressive that he does so while staying in character. I'll watch the rest of it later.

Miguel_Sanchez

Galvasean wrote: »

Actually I think it does apply somewhat.

Nah, it doesn't. The Rubberbandits themselves aren't championing themselves as fighting the X-Factor, that's other people saying that.

Just because a song is going for the Christmas #1 spot doesn't mean it's in a 'let's block the X-Factor' way.

So you're criticising them for not being something that they never claimed to be in the first place.

Greaney

My 18 yr old son thinks there terrific.

I think they're Okay. What I don't understand are the cranks who think they glorify drugs. Comedy often sets up those they lampoon (in this case, Irish/Limerick scumbags) by creating a world where they glorify them to reveal their horrible twisted logic and values. It's social commentery.... what's there not to understand???

Teclo

They're from Limerick, they wear masks, I don't want to know any more...

Cpt_Blackbeard

Teclo wrote: »

They're from Limerick, they wear masks, I don't want to know any more...

What a fantastic open minded view :rolleyes:

Your input into the thread has been very much appreciated...

I heard their prank calls a few years ago (circa 2005/6 i think) and thought they were pretty funny and have seen a few of their music vids which i actually think horse outside is the least funny of them all

I think they should draw the line at musical humour though because i don't think their non-musical bits these days work too well, they seem to have turned to a surreal and obscure kind of humour, kind of like vic reeve's style i.e. saying something weird = it's funny, when really it's just still weird!

It doesn't take anything away from the music vids though, funny enough stuff.

DamienOB

IS this seriously how low expectations for Irish comedy are?

They are pure and utter ****e. Not in the slightest bit funny, and i for one cannot wait til the infatuation with these morons ends. A centra bag on your head, yeah hilarious stuff. (IMO )

AnonoBoy

DamienOB wrote: »

A centra bag on your head, yeah hilarious stuff. (IMO )

Yeah, cause that's what the joke is. :rolleyes:

CL7

Some of their sketches on ROT are really good while others only so so. Most of their prank calls are hilarious.

Blind Boy was impressive on Liveline. Liveline callers are always good for a laugh.

DamienOB

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Yeah, cause that's what the joke is. :rolleyes:

Its PART of the joke, if its not for a humour factor, they are more idiotic than i first thought

Cpt_Blackbeard

DamienOB wrote: »

Its PART of the joke, if its not for a humour factor, they are more idiotic than i first thought

Maybe its just the easiest way to conceal their identity? :rolleyes:


Or they could be reusing plastic bags to try and help the environment??

BostonB

DamienOB wrote: »

Its PART of the joke, if its not for a humour factor, they are more idiotic than i first thought

Theres many reasons for a performer to conceal their identity. If nothing else it gets attention, and people have focus on the act not the person.

I didn't think the bag is meant to be a joke either. Its part of the act, yes. But a joke? If you think its meant to be a joke, what do you think is the joke?

Considering they turn on/off the crude stuff as the situation demands, like TV work, They know exactly what they are doing.

Nailz

Really really don't like them, don't find them funny, find them quite annoying in fact, they remind me of people who listen to i105-107 (which is a North-Eastern/Midland County radio station for people not in the know), who listen to awful chart music, and think somethings good because everyone else likes it, commoners who just can't think for themselves. They're just awfully 'meh', they fill everything full of boring clichés, stereotypes and such, for the sake of dumbing down everything for the idiot public. Call me a snob, but there's nothing intelligent about what they do, in my opinion they're not funny.

Henno30

I quite like a lot of what they try to do, but their execution isn't all that great. It's all a bit dependent on the exaggerated persona and there isn't an awful lot else going on.

They seem like sharp lads and they've taken some awful ignorant criticism, exemplified on that Liveline show which showed our very own Daily Mail readership in full reactionary flow. At the same time they've received some fairly hysterical acclaim that won't do them any good in the long run.

On balance, I would say that like Hardy Bucks (the internet series) they've shown great initiative and produced genuinely original affectionate parodies of places and people you will never see on screen otherwise, certainly not for positive reasons.

Sadly, there isn't much of a comedy audience in Ireland and what they do is very much for a niche audience who like offbeat stuff. Unlike the UK, the numbers just aren't present in Ireland to sustain an act like this to maturity and to the point where they are more confident and competent with what they are doing. So in the end they'll compromise and alienate the people who really like them, and then they'll be gone, maybe showing up on Reeling in the Years in ten years time.

Sad, but you all know it's true. Armando Iannucci would be refereeing midget wrestling on Podge & Rodge if he had been born here.

Ash.J.Williams

Henno30 wrote: »

I quite like a lot of what they try to do, but their execution isn't all that great. It's all a bit dependent on the exaggerated persona and there isn't an awful lot else going on.

They seem like sharp lads and they've taken some awful ignorant criticism, exemplified on that Liveline show which showed our very own Daily Mail readership in full reactionary flow. At the same time they've received some fairly hysterical acclaim that won't do them any good in the long run.

On balance, I would say that like Hardy Bucks (the internet series) they've shown great initiative and produced genuinely original affectionate parodies of places and people you will never see on screen otherwise, certainly not for positive reasons.

Sadly, there isn't much of a comedy audience in Ireland and what they do is very much for a niche audience who like offbeat stuff. Unlike the UK, the numbers just aren't present in Ireland to sustain an act like this to maturity and to the point where they are more confident and competent with what they are doing. So in the end they'll compromise and alienate the people who really like them, and then they'll be gone, maybe showing up on Reeling in the Years in ten years time.

Sad, but you all know it's true. Armando Iannucci would be refereeing midget wrestling on Podge & Rodge if he had been born here.

What utter nonsense.

BostonB

The Hardy Bucks I thought would be better. Seems be running out of steam.

The RB seem to have some sharp lyrics. But as you say it has a finite market.

Ash.J.Williams

this is the rubber bandits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4ZHBfo1j-A

pappyodaniel

Henno30 wrote: »

I quite like a lot of what they try to do, but their execution isn't all that great. It's all a bit dependent on the exaggerated persona and there isn't an awful lot else going on.

They seem like sharp lads and they've taken some awful ignorant criticism, exemplified on that Liveline show which showed our very own Daily Mail readership in full reactionary flow. At the same time they've received some fairly hysterical acclaim that won't do them any good in the long run.

On balance, I would say that like Hardy Bucks (the internet series) they've shown great initiative and produced genuinely original affectionate parodies of places and people you will never see on screen otherwise, certainly not for positive reasons.

Sadly, there isn't much of a comedy audience in Ireland and what they do is very much for a niche audience who like offbeat stuff. Unlike the UK, the numbers just aren't present in Ireland to sustain an act like this to maturity and to the point where they are more confident and competent with what they are doing. So in the end they'll compromise and alienate the people who really like them, and then they'll be gone, maybe showing up on Reeling in the Years in ten years time.

Sad, but you all know it's true. Armando Iannucci would be refereeing midget wrestling on Podge & Rodge if he had been born here.

You're well clued in my good man. You have made some very logical and valid points. The one thing you might be failing to recognise is the fact that these 2 guys, the guys behind the plastic bags, are clearly intelligent and aware of the many limitations of what they can do and the pitfalls of a quick viral success. I do believe the comedy act 'RubberBandits' will fade away eventually but the two individuals behind it will have a place in Irish literature, comedy, music and acting for years to come, esp. writing.

ardle1

Rubber bandits mmmmm,, yeah a wee bit funny, yeah contreversial, yeah on the edge.. Yeah on the Late Late mmmm no,,, Holy God i'd say RTE is kicking itself ever since... Nearly as bad as Dustin at the Eurovision.

DamienOB

pappyodaniel wrote: »

You're well clued in my good man. You have made some very logical and valid points. The one thing you might be failing to recognise is the fact that these 2 guys, the guys behind the plastic bags, are clearly intelligent and aware of the many limitations of what they can do and the pitfalls of a quick viral success. I do believe the comedy act 'RubberBandits' will fade away eventually but the two individuals behind it will have a place in Irish literature, comedy, music and acting for years to come, esp. writing.

For the sake of life itself, i hope your in a different mind

FFS, A 6-year old could write some of their ****ing immature, un-intelligent songs. Dont be ridiculous please. I never even read up on them, but i'd be fairly certain they set it up as a piss take, not to "have a place in Irish literature, comedy, music and acting for years to come, esp. writing":eek::eek::eek::eek:

Ash.J.Williams

DamienOB wrote: »

For the sake of life itself, i hope your in a different mind

FFS, A 6-year old could write some of their ****ing immature, un-intelligent songs. Dont be ridiculous please. I never even read up on them, but i'd be fairly certain they set it up as a piss take, not to "have a place in Irish literature, comedy, music and acting for years to come, esp. writing":eek::eek::eek::eek:

Why not?

pappyodaniel

DamienOB wrote: »

For the sake of life itself, i hope your in a different mind

FFS, A 6-year old could write some of their ****ing immature, un-intelligent songs. Dont be ridiculous please. I never even read up on them, but i'd be fairly certain they set it up as a piss take, not to "have a place in Irish literature, comedy, music and acting for years to come, esp. writing":eek::eek::eek::eek:

Says it all really.

Dannyriver

DamienOB wrote: »

For the sake of life itself, i hope your in a different mind

FFS, A 6-year old could write some of their ****ing immature, un-intelligent songs. Dont be ridiculous please. I never even read up on them, but i'd be fairly certain they set it up as a piss take, not to "have a place in Irish literature, comedy, music and acting for years to come, esp. writing":eek::eek::eek::eek:

A six year old could write their songs...you silly silly boy...you come across as the kind of guy that doesn't get a piece of art unless its 'sold' to you as intelligent art and would be petrified of endorsing something that can be enjoyed by the great unwashed for its base humour. However, the reason why the bandits have done so well is they've seamlessly mixed aforementioned baseness with some very intelligent comment and satire. That Damien is a technique used by Authors [Shakespeare, sword fights +philosophy/history or Oscar Wilde sexual innuendo +political satire] and filmmakers [too many examples to mention] The fact that you think a six year old [or indeed anyone ]could do what they do is probably why your own attempts at creativity have fallen on deaf ears. [I'm sorry but it's clear from the tone of your remarks about the bandits and the undercurrent of anger in said statement that the bandits doing well has touched a raw nerve in you and since you know neither of them personally I'll have to assume it's because there's a hint of jealousy going on.] Am I right?

SHREDDER

New comedy group from Ballymena called Sexy tits. They're untrue. They do it all, jokes, songs,, and dream pop.

Dannyriver

Just wondering what the contributors on here who seemed so certain that the Rubberbandits would be a flash in the pan, are without talent, or that their humour/or lack of would not make sense outside of Ireland think about their recent success at the Edinburgh fringe festival. Just to bring people up to speed they sold out 15 nights on the trot and walked away with the prestigious Malcolm Hardee award for comedy.