If you’re a brand seeking some measure of credibility with the kidz, the concept of getting a musician to flog your product for you makes perfect sense — the only problem is how you go about doing so without making it look like a crass commercial cash grab that will arouse only contempt in your target audience. This dilemma has led to some pretty bizarre advertisements over the years, some successful, some rather less so. Anyway, in light of the glut of such adverts recently (in the last month or so, there have been recent ads starting Billy Corgan, Wayne Coyne, and Tyler, the Creator) we thought we’d round up some of the weirdest we could find, both past and present.
Tyler, the Creator for Mountain Dew
Starring OFWGKTA associate Errol Chatham, his date and an ornery goat by the name of Felicia (the latter voiced by Tyler, who also directed). We’ll have to wait and see whether or not this is for real — so far it’s only surfaced on the Odd Future Tumblr — but either way, it’s rather amusing. Also, we like goats.
of Montreal for T-Mobile
The hilarious thing here: who at T-Mobile thought that signing on an indie band with a penchant for wearing makeup and riding horses was going to help them shift more proto-smartphones? We can only imagine that of Montreal laughed, quite literally, all the way to the bank, and probably all the way back again, too. Also: “Dusseldorf!!!!!”
The Flaming Lips for Virgin Mobile
What is it with mobile companies and hiring psychedelically inclined indie types for their commercials? This is less fun than the of Montreal ad, mainly because it carries the same pungent whiff of dickishness that’s been wafting from Wayne Coyne’s career for the last couple of years.
Kevin Federline for Nationwide Insurance
Oh, the pathos. The sad thing about this is that it’s all too reflective of the state of the former Mr. Britney Spears’s career — although, having said that, it’s good to see that he can laugh at himself. Anyway, he’s probably still got more money stashed away than we’ll ever see, so perhaps the joke’s on us. Sigh.
John Lydon for Country Life Butter
A classic of the genre. Clearly, Lydon couldn’t care less what you or anyone else thinks about his decision to shill Country Life butter, and in any case, his story is that he used this 30-second spot to fund a PiL tour. And actually, there’s something curiously compelling about the way he plays with notions of Britishness here, especially given his ambivalent relationship with his homeland over the years.
Iggy Pop for Swift Cover Insurance
The bizarre thing here is terrifying punk rock homunculus Little Iggy, who will haunt our dreams along with Chucky and Mr. Sin from Doctor Who. Animated dolls are creepy. There’s no way around it.
Tori Amos for Kellogg’s Cornflakes
Gives “Cornflake Girl” a whole new meaning, etc etc.
The Game for Anthony Gray Tax Service
“I know y’all are just like like, ‘Why Game just random tweeting all this tax shit?'” Well, yes, now that you mention it. But really, that’s not even anywhere near the list of questions that spring to mind about this bizarre low-budget spot, which stars The Game and his accountant, looks like it was shot in about five minutes, and features an invitation to come down to Compton and get your tax sorted. Well, we know who’ll be doing our return this year!
50 Cent for Vitamin Water
Also on the hip-hop front: get rich, or lose all semblance of dignity trying.
Billy Corgan for furniture (and wrestling)
Oh yes, we haven’t forgotten about this. And if you’re wondering how or why it happened, we have all the answers.