The day that Chinese Democracy leaked should have been sorta-momentous for me. Here was an album that had been part mythical creature/part butt of many a joke/part go-to source for my day job for years and years, and it actually sort of existed! But as it turned out, 15 years of Axl Rose’s trials weren’t nearly as compelling as a high-pitched voice, a few errant handclaps, and a clip of a tiny baby hamster reclining on a piano key, eating a kernel of popcorn that was as big as his head.
I defy you to listen to this track—by the Internet meme-scoring outfit Parry Gripp—without getting a huge smile on your face. Yes, the Smoove B-ish rap is a bit silly, but the ebuillence of the helium-flooded vocals, and the background “whoa”-ing, are some of the most joyous, and joy-inducing, bits of music I’ve heard all year.
How much do I love this track? So much, it gave me a new away message:
I just hope that anyone who receives said autoreply will think that I’m off somewhere relaxing, and listening to a ridiculously giggle-inducing song while munching on some popcorn. (It’s probably better than the alternative, honestly.)
“Hamster On A Piano (Eating Popcorn)” [YouTube]
Parry Gripp [Official site]
80 ‘08 (and heartbreak)
Oh hell no, “Cat Flushing a Toilet” is the true classic.
Not sure if this has been said yet, but the spoken-word bit reminds me of Wesley Willis WAY too much.
Rock over black keys,
Rock on, white keys.
Popcorn. It’s what ya eat.
This was actually a revolutionary find for our household. We love Hamster on a Piano, but it also led us to the Cat Flushing a Toilet song, as well as Wiener Dog (on A Skateboard) and Chimpanzee Riding on a Segway. My 5 year old thanks you, and I thank you.
Parry Gripp isn’t an outfit, actually: it’s one guy’s name. (He used to be in Nerf Herder. Yep, them.) Dylan Hicks wrote a terrific piece about his 2005 album, For Those About to Shop, We Salute You: [www.citypages.com] (I am the quasi-High Times subscriber he refers to in his small gathering.)
Patrick:
Michael: best thing ever
Patrick: also awesome:
Patrick: ah, he’s the lead singer of Nerf Herder
Michael: i knows them
Patrick: i has heard of them
Michael: [www.youtube.com]
Patrick: spaghetti cat is good too
but i’m now watching hoap(ep) for like the 15th time
If only it were Hamster feat. A.W.K. Given the size of that popcorn, it is obviously that Hamster On A Piano loves to party hard.
Is it eligible for year end best of lists? It makes mine.
Up Butt Coconut - Booty Call - Soup - Young Girl Talking About Herself - This Is My Ringtone - Cat Flushing A Toilet - Googlin’ On Yahoo - The Pictures On The Wall At Harry’s…
All classics. Parry Gripp Rocks.
Parry Gripp may have been the raddest thing I read about/was introduced to on this site all year. The day it was posted I even played HOAP for this cute girl, and she was all “I love Parry Gripp” and I pretended like I hadn’t just discovered him hours earlier. Good job, Idolator.
chimpanzee riding on a segway is soon to be the new classic.