| 1 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/duaneandbrando.png]] |
| 2 | [[caption-width-right:350:Duane on the left, Brando on the right]] |
| 3 | |
| 4 | ->''"MY BALLS!"'' |
| 5 | -->-- '''Duane''' |
| 6 | |
| 7 | The Adventures of Duane and [=BrandO=] was a Michigan-based [[{{Nerdcore}} nerd rock]] band, consisting of members Duane Zuwala and Brandon Lackey, under the not-really-pseudonyms [=8BitDuane=] and The Amazing [=BrandO=]. Formed in 2008, they primarily released RapRock covers and parodies of music from video games of the [[MediaNotes/The8bitEraOfConsoleVideoGames 8-bit]] to [[MediaNotes/The16bitEraOfConsoleVideoGames 16-bit]] eras of gaming, performed with epic rock instrumentation and mind-blowingly fun rhymes, and accompanied with [[FanVid music videos greatly based around in-game footage]]. |
| 8 | |
| 9 | Their style, when compared to the likes of similar nerdcore-based cover groups (such as Music/TheMegas), is much less focused on being serious and dramatic and more on being fun and comedic, with the two bouncing off each other while rapping as the various characters of whatever game they're covering. Expect lots of witty SnarkToSnarkCombat, unrelenting braggadocio, and clever franchise-rooted in-jokes in their works. |
| 10 | |
| 11 | They first made their debut with the ''EP of Doom'' in 2008, followed up in 2009 with their 29-track album, the ''LP of Devastation''. After a period of in-fighting that broke up the band in 2010, they reunited in 2012, planning to go on tour and release other future projects with [[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/duaneandbrandotour/the-return-of-duane-and-brando-tour a Kickstarter campaign]] that was successfully funded by the end of the year. They would later resume releases with the ''[[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3 Mario 3]]'' single and the ''Thanks Mom'' EP in 2016, along with remasterings of all their past content, which remains available on their shared [[https://duaneandbrando.bandcamp.com/ Adventures of Duane and [=BrandO=] Bandcamp]]. |
| 12 | |
| 13 | Following these releases, there was a long period of radio silence until [[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/duaneandbrandotour/the-return-of-duane-and-brando-tour/posts/2152339 a post on the Kickstarter page by Brandon in April of 2018]]. Something had happened to the majority of the money that Duane was in control of, and they had another falling-out, this one presumably permanent, with the two moving onto new ventures. |
| 14 | |
| 15 | In addition to their works as a duo, both Duane and Brandon have released music as solo artists. Duane released music as [[https://actionadventureworld.bandcamp.com/music Action Adventure World]], which continued in a familiar vein of rap-rock video game covers, with frequent production collaboration with Chile-based nerd-metal band [[https://theplasmasvgm.bandcamp.com/ ThePlasmas]]. Brandon has several projects: [[https://theamazingbrando.bandcamp.com/ The Amazing BrandO]] alternates between similar nerdcore cover music, as well as several original works inspired by game music. He's also the frontman of {{progressive|Rock}}[=/=]{{industrial|Metal}} rock band [[https://exitmindbomb.bandcamp.com Exit Mind Bomb]], and -- following the final dissolution of Duane and [=BrandO=] -- launched an AlternativeRock[=/=]UsefulNotes/{{Synthwave}}[=-=]esque project, [[https://adventuria.bandcamp.com/ Adventuria]]. |
| 16 | |
| 17 | !!Discography |
| 18 | !!!As The Adventures of Duane and [=BrandO=] |
| 19 | * ''EP of Doom!'' (2008) |
| 20 | * ''LP of Devastation'' (2009) |
| 21 | * ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}}'' (2010) |
| 22 | * ''Thanks Mom'' (2016) |
| 23 | !!!As Action Adventure World |
| 24 | * ''VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins'' (2010) |
| 25 | * ''VideoGame/MegaMan6'' (2010) |
| 26 | !!!As The Amazing Brando |
| 27 | * ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaIIIDraculasCurse Castlevania 3]]'' (2010) |
| 28 | * ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast Zelda 3: The Light World]]'' (2012) |
| 29 | * ''Songs From A Video Game That Doesn't Exist: Volume 1'' (2014) |
| 30 | * ''[[VideoGame/SuperMetroid M3TROID]]'' (2014) |
| 31 | ---- |
| 32 | !!Tropes: |
| 33 | * AdaptationAmalgamation: While their songs are almost always ostensibly about a specific title and its plot, the duo like to make references or include {{Musical Nod}}s to other entries in the franchise, especially close sequels. For example, "VideoGame/MegaMan2" prominently includes Proto Man and Rush of ''VideoGame/MegaMan3'', and their rap based on ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyI'' includes an interlude based off the "Magician's Tower" from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'', and the climactic battle against Chaos features a medley of Zeromus' battle theme from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' and the final battle theme from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIII''. |
| 34 | * AreWeThereYet: Partway into the "VideoGame/{{Final Fantasy|I}}", we get the line "It's already been five minutes since [[BreakingTheFourthWall we started this song! That's four Ninja Gaiden songs way too long]]!" |
| 35 | * AsHimself: In "Duck Hunt", Duane and Brando rap as... Duane Zuwala and Brandon Lackey. While there are a few other instances of the two [[SingerNamedrop dropping their real names]] via [[BreakingTheFourthWall fourth-wall breaks]], "Duck Hunt" is directly about the two shooting down ducks as themselves. |
| 36 | * TheBadGuyWins: |
| 37 | ** "[[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic]]" ends with Sonic losing the final battle. PlayedForLaughs in that he loses by ''sharting''. |
| 38 | ** In "Castlevania III", Trevor Belmont loses when fighting Dracula and Brandon [[RageQuit quits playing out of frustration]]. Adverted in the remake, where Trevor instead wins by whipping Dracula in the balls. |
| 39 | ** In "Dragon Warrior", the protagonist ends up suddenly overpowered by the final battle against the Dragonlord and loses, with his final words being "As I fall to the ground, I think of the town / [[MyGreatestFailure How in the fuck could I let all these nice people down?]]" Following the short GameOver jingle, we suddenly hear StudioChatter of Duane saying (presumably to an exasperated Brando) "[[LampshadeHanging Naw, dude, I meant to]], [[ItAmusedMe I thought it'd be better to end the song dramatically]]!" |
| 40 | * BattleRapping: Given Duane and Brando frequently play multiple characters per song, often as heroes and villains, they end up directing their usual {{Boastful Rap}}s against each other in a game of epic one-upmanship. A very literal showcase of this happens with "VideoGame/{{Double Dragon|I}}" in the final section, where after Jimmy reveals himself to be EvilAllAlong, he and Billy take it outside: |
| 41 | -->'''Billy''': Fist of rage, why you act that way?\ |
| 42 | I'm a better fucking fighter than you anyway\ |
| 43 | Just give me my girl and get your ass home\ |
| 44 | [[Series/Zoey101 Zoey]]'s on in five-minutes, you never miss that show! (No, no)\ |
| 45 | '''Jimmy''': [[RealMenWearPink What do you know about the 101? Leave Zoey alone, Nickelodeon's fun]]!\ |
| 46 | Unlike me, you'd better run, think twice about where you're hiding, [[AnimalMotifs big cats eat mice]]\ |
| 47 | My Tiger Style is devastating! You know you love it brother, don't be hating\ |
| 48 | Kick, punch, it's all in the method, not mother-approved, [[WouldHurtAChild but totally kid-tested]]! |
| 49 | * BlackComedyRape: In episode 5 of Brando's "Zelda 3" series, [[TheMindIsAPlaythingOfTheBody after being turned into a bunny]], [[ExplosiveBreeder Link goes on a rape-frenzy]] with the monsters of the Dark World on the receiving end. [[MyInstinctsAreShowing He doesn't enjoy it any more than they do]]. |
| 50 | * BoastfulRap: A hallmark of their tracks, with the player characters retelling the stories of their games in the most self-celebratory, badass ways possible. |
| 51 | ** During the "Chaos Temple" portion of "VideoGame/{{Final Fantasy|I}}", delivered by Dune, leader of the party: |
| 52 | --->[[SaveThePrincess Rrrrescued the princess]] and [[GetOnTheBoat captured the ship]]\ |
| 53 | We got the Mystic Key from the Elven Prince\ |
| 54 | [[GottaKillThemAll Defeated Lich, Kary, Kraken, and Tiamat, with a chortle]]\ |
| 55 | [[PlotCoupon Orb of Earth, Fire, Water, Air]], opened the portal\ |
| 56 | [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong Went back 2000 years to the Temple of Fiends]]\ |
| 57 | [[TookALevelInBadass Now we're four Light Warriors, hauntin' ya dreams!]]\ |
| 58 | You're goin' down, [[BigBad Chaos]], you shouldn't fuck with my crew!\ |
| 59 | Or Leo, Jojo, Spud, and I are gonna show you how we do\ |
| 60 | You ''motherfucker!'' [[StableTimeLoop We beat you before and we'll do it again!]]\ |
| 61 | Every time you fuckin' rise, until this fantasy ends!\ |
| 62 | You better stay on your guard, 'cause when I strike you're gonna feel it!\ |
| 63 | You fuckin' piece of ''shit!'' You're goin' down, bitch, ''I mean it!'' |
| 64 | ** The entirety of Brando's take on "[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII One-Winged Angel]]", which has Sephiroth yammering on about how he's great and you're not. |
| 65 | * BreakingTheFourthWall: The characters they're performing as very frequently acknowledge that their stories are not only parts of video games, but of songs based on them. |
| 66 | * BrickJoke: |
| 67 | * The "DEAD" RunningGag used throughout "VideoGame/MegaMan2" rap would occur in several other songs, including the "VideoGame/DoubleDragon", "VideoGame/{{Final Fantasy|I}}", and "[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaIISimonsQuest Castlevania 2]]" raps. |
| 68 | ** In both the "Zelda 2" and "Castlevania 3" raps, there's that stock image of a woman holding up the sign. In "Zelda 2", it says "4 out of 5 ladies prefer this model" and in "Castlevania 3", it says "TREVOR'S GOT BALLZ". |
| 69 | ** During episode 4 of the "[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast Zelda 3]]" series, Sahasrahla invites Link to stay and watch ''Series/{{Matlock}}'' with him. During TheStinger, a crispy Sahasrahla ([[ButtMonkey having been shot by Link and accidentally set on fire earlier in the episode]]) watches the show's opening theme. |
| 70 | * ButtMonkey: |
| 71 | ** [[BreatherBoss Bubble Man]][[invoked]] of "VideoGame/MegaMan2", to the point of becoming a RunningGag: |
| 72 | --->'''Bubble Man: ''' The name's Bubble Man and I got somethin' ta say--\ |
| 73 | '''Mega Man:''' [[KilledMidSentence DEAD.]] (I'm not fuckin' with you.)\ |
| 74 | ''(a little later)''\ |
| 75 | '''Air Man:''' ''Shit!'' I'm as useless as Bubble Man! |
| 76 | ** During "[[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic]]", Tails is either left behind or totally abhorred while he's around. |
| 77 | --->'''Tails:''' Tails is the name / Sonic's right hand G / You'll go no no, nono, no!\ |
| 78 | '''Sonic:''' Shut the fuck up. |
| 79 | * CallBack: While any sequel songs ("Zelda"/"Mario"/"Castlevania" etc.) all contain references to their respective predecessors. Of special note is Duane's rendition of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7CqndIgAMw the title theme from Mega Man 6]] borrows its first four measures of lyrics from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6L9bUouDr8 Mega Man 2 by Duane & BrandO]]. |
| 80 | ** "[[VideoGame/DragonQuest Dragon Warrior]]" steals the "I learned a couple of magic tricks, you can call me Houdini" line from "Sonic". |
| 81 | ** "[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast Zelda 3]]" makes a subtle reference to the last line of "[[VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink Zelda 2]]", in which Link asks "We're brother and sister in the next game, right?"[[note]]This is based off a common fan theory from the dying words of Link's uncle in ''A Link To The Past'' -- [[KilledMidSentence "Zelda is your..."]] -- with many speculating that he was going to end with [[LongLostRelative "sister."]] Due to a variety of reasons (including the nature of the untranslated original line in Japanese), this likely isn't true, [[BroadStrokes but just roll with it]].[[/note]]. The "Zelda 3" version of Link is a ChivalrousPervert who constantly hits on a reluctant Zelda, who is constantly hinted to be a relative. |
| 82 | ** "[[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3 Mario 3]]" reuses the lyric ''"hey waita minute, there's a secret in this tunnel"'', from the first "Mario" rap. It also transplants "rockin' this motherfucker, destroying this place" from "droppin' bombs on this motherfucker, destroying this maze" from the "VideoGame/{{Metroid|1}}" rap. |
| 83 | ** "VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins" has "I'm the knight that keeps these bitches in check, I'm full of ammunition so I get respect!", which is a call back to the line "I got my helmet on and my bitches in check. Packed full of ammunition so I get some respect" from "{{VideoGame/Bomberman}}". |
| 84 | * CatchphraseInterruptus: In the end of "Zelda 2", as Link invites a newly-awakened Zelda for [[KissingDiscretionShot a (hidden) kiss]]: |
| 85 | -->'''Link''': [[DoubleEntendre When the curtains go down, Link's going up!]]\ |
| 86 | '''Zelda''': Oh, stop yourself!\ |
| 87 | '''Link''': ''[[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989 Well excuuu]]--!''\ |
| 88 | '''Zelda''': Shut up! |
| 89 | * ComicallyMissingThePoint: The premise of Brando's "Where's My Shirt?", where [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Sephiroth]], now only a consciousness in Cloud's mind, is [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin wondering where his shirt went.]] Where did it go, anyway? |
| 90 | * ClusterFBomb: Seriously, ''everyone'' swears in these raps. They released [[{{Bowdlerise}} an "edited" version]] of the ''LP of Devastation'' that plays [[SoundEffectBleep sound effects]] over any dirty language, and there's an insert almost every other line. |
| 91 | ** Amusingly, Bikke from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyI'' is an exception. You know, the ''pirate''? |
| 92 | ** Wood Man also has an amusing aversion to the word "fuck". He opts for "freakin'". He does say "ass", though. Roll and Dr. Wily don't swear either, and Proto Man's only swear is cut off. |
| 93 | --->''Proto Man:'' Choose carefully, you [[CurseCutShort motherfu--]].\ |
| 94 | ''Mega Man:'' NO. |
| 95 | ** Bowser in "Mario 3" [[ExaggeratedTrope has to set a record for the duo's most profane verse ever]]: |
| 96 | ---> You freaking retard idiot fag\ |
| 97 | Fat motherfucking dick-licking shit in a bag\ |
| 98 | You fucking asshole, cocksucking bitch-ass ho\ |
| 99 | I'll fuck your fucking shit ass, bitch, fuck the floor! |
| 100 | * CriticalHitClass: Referenced in "VideoGame/{{Final Fantasy|I}}", the Fighter class is referred to as "[[{{Pun}} critically acclaimed]]", referring to his odds of getting a critical hit. |
| 101 | * DarkReprise: The Dark World segment from "Mario 3" takes its first two measures of lyrics from the ''Series/TheSuperMarioBrosSuperShow'' theme. |
| 102 | * DarkerAndEdgier: "Zelda 2" is much more serious than most of the band's other songs. There are a few jokes here and there, but they're mostly at the beginning and during the middle, while the temple, final boss and especially the Great Temple segments are surprisingly poetic and sincere: |
| 103 | -->'''Link:''' You know that I will save you, I'm made to, I'm breaking through\ |
| 104 | '''Zelda:''' You know that I have faith, Link, I'll wait, Link, I'll wait for you\ |
| 105 | '''Link:''' You have no choice, love\ |
| 106 | '''Zelda:''' I know that you'll rescue me, this is our destiny\ |
| 107 | '''Both:''' I hear your voice, love\ |
| 108 | '''Link:''' I've only just met you but something inside of me drives me on... So I battle, who are you?\ |
| 109 | '''Shadow Link:''' [[PreAsskickingOneLiner I'm your shadow.]] |
| 110 | * DomesticAbuse: Rather infamously, the duo has a handful of references to this in their songs, and they're PlayedForLaughs: |
| 111 | ** "Mega Man 2" has a verse starting with "And that's how we roll!", prompting [[PunnyName Roll]] to show up asking if Mega Man needs her help. [[StayInTheKitchen The response is a resounding no]]. |
| 112 | ** "The Carpet Is Lava" is an entire song built on this, first starting with Duane forcing his wife to do housework, only for his friends to show up and tell him he's doing it all wrong... [[BlackComedy by not physically abusing her enough]]. Eventually, one of their friends shows up and genuinely tries to put a stop to it, [[ButtMonkey and he gets beat up for it as well]]. |
| 113 | ** "The Great Abyss" is [[WordSaladHumor a bizarre joke song of quasi-religious word salad]], and even then, there are allusions to this: |
| 114 | --->"There is no... relationships. Only men, and others. Women will no longer be referred to as women, but "Dishes Do-ers". We will also refer to them as... Bitch! ...You are the birth giver, or the abortion haver. I shall crap in your hand and you shall run it to the toilet! ...You shall have your own special room, it will be called the storage closet." |
| 115 | * DoubleEntendre: |
| 116 | ** King Koopa claims in the "Franchise/SuperMarioBros." rap that he'll "eat the fucking Princess with cherries and whipped cream". |
| 117 | ** Matoya of "VideoGame/{{Final Fantasy|I}}" got her some "HERB". |
| 118 | ** From the "Zelda" rap: |
| 119 | -->''When I master the Master Sword, I'm goin' to town\ |
| 120 | on Zelda's upside-down Triforce, with one in the brown.\ |
| 121 | You can't stop me from comin', I am the Hero of Time!\ |
| 122 | You better run for your fuckin' life, I'm comin' inside!'' |
| 123 | * DudeShesLikeInAComa: In the end of "[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI Zelda 1]]", [[LovableSexManiac Link]] laments that even after rescuing Zelda, he's not going to get any action, before resigning to later since "she's in a coma in [[VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink the next game]]." Funnily enough, the actual "Zelda 2" rap [[SubvertedTrope doesn't make any reference to this]]. |
| 124 | * EpicRocking: Their "VideoGame/FinalFantasyI" song is just over 10 minutes long. |
| 125 | * EvenBadMenLoveTheirMamas: How Billy defeats his evil brother in "VideoGame/{{Double Dragon|I}}". |
| 126 | -->'''Billy''': I! Am! Tellin' Mom!\ |
| 127 | '''Jimmy''': ''You wouldn't!''\ |
| 128 | '''Billy''': [[MotorMouth YoustupidmotherfuckerI'mjustsettingyouupforthat]] -- ''[[MegatonPunch BOOM]]!'' [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch Bitch!]] |
| 129 | * ExpositionBreak: Played for laughs in the ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}}'' song "Title/Buzz Buzz": |
| 130 | -->'''Buzz Buzz''': One last thing before I finally die...\ |
| 131 | Take this thing, it’s called a Sound Stone, guy.\ |
| 132 | There are eight different melodies that you have to record\ |
| 133 | To prevent the Cosmic Destroyer from sending all to the horror of eternal darkness.\ |
| 134 | I’m dead...\ |
| 135 | ...Do you wanna hear my story again?\ |
| 136 | '''Ness''': Yes.\ |
| 137 | '''Buzz Buzz''': Yes? Okay. One last thing before I finally die... |
| 138 | * FaceHeelTurn: PlayedForLaughs with "Double Dragon", where after the brothers beat up Abobo, Jimmy very abruptly reveals [[EvilAllAlong his true colors]]: |
| 139 | -->'''Jimmy''': Oh no, little bro, you killed Abobo!\ |
| 140 | There's something that I think you should know before we go\ |
| 141 | I am the '''''[[VoiceOfTheLegion SHADOW BOSS]]'''''--\ |
| 142 | '''Billy''': ''[[BigNo NO!]]''\ |
| 143 | '''Jimmy''': [[LampshadeHanging Yeah sure, why not?]]\ |
| 144 | And while I'm at it, [[PokeThePoodle your girlfriend thinks I'm totally hot!]] |
| 145 | * HannibalLecture: In "Zelda 2", Dark Link attempts one as part of the final battle against Link, [[ShutUpHannibal who then fires back with his own retort]]: |
| 146 | -->'''Dark Link''': No, I know all your moves, and I feel all your ''pain!''\ |
| 147 | You're a ''slave'' to the princess, a fuckin' shame!\ |
| 148 | [[WeCanRuleTogether Hyrule could be ours, take my hand!\ |
| 149 | We could rule the kingdom, devour the land!]]\ |
| 150 | You'll never defeat me, you ''know'' that I'm right!\ |
| 151 | You're a ''servant'', a ''pawn'', and you're living a ''lie!''\ |
| 152 | '''Link''': Gonna live and let you ''die'', [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch!]] 'Cause I don't need you!\ |
| 153 | I think I'll just [[AIBreaker crouch down over here and stab your knees, dude!]]\ |
| 154 | Stabby stab stab, how you like that shit?\ |
| 155 | I'm gonna call you Error 'cause you're fuckin' ''useless!'' |
| 156 | * InsultBackfire: Well, more like "Snappy Comment Backfire", from Episode 2 of the "Zelda 3" rap: |
| 157 | -->'''Zelda:''' Lick my royal heinie!\ |
| 158 | '''Link:''' ...gonna! |
| 159 | * LighterAndSofter: The ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}}'' LP is significantly cleaner and more lighthearted than most of their other songs. While it's not entirely clean, the profanity has been significantly reduced and the adult-oriented jokes have been cut down, and the change is noticeable. |
| 160 | * LovableSexManiac: Link in all of their ''[[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Zelda]]'' songs, who's portrayed as being somewhat obsessed with getting into Zelda's pants... [[DudeShesLikeInAComa even if she's in a coma]]... [[BrotherSisterIncest or might be his sister]]. |
| 161 | * MachineMonotone: [[VideoGame/SonicCD Metal Sonic]] from "Sonic" raps in this voice, [[LampshadeHanging which his heroic counterpart quickly mocks]]: |
| 162 | -->'''Metal Sonic''': I AM METAL SONIC, FEAR MY WRATH\ |
| 163 | I GOT A DICK LIKE A CHAINSAW, I'LL CUT YOU IN HALF, HA-HA-HA\ |
| 164 | '''Sonic''': Bring it on, you can't replace this! Based on me on a first name basis\ |
| 165 | [[LampshadeHanging Why the fuck do you rap so slow?]] Who do you think you are, [[TakeThat Leo Camacho?]][[note]]Friend and collaborator of Duane and Brando that has appeared in a few of their songs, including as Knuckles later in this song.[[/note]] |
| 166 | * {{Malaproper}}: PlayedForLaughs with "Cheetahmen II", which reads off the game's intro narration, preserving the line "Dr. Morbis plans to use the Ape-Man to destroy his failed ''expirement''", [[invoked]] [[ObviousBeta true to the game]]. [[BrickJoke Later in the song]], this is even used as the basis of Dr. Morbis' verse: |
| 167 | -->'''Dr. Morbis''': Cheetahmen, you are my failed ''expire''ment!\ |
| 168 | I'm so sorry, you don't meet the requirement!\ |
| 169 | You're a sign I should have gone into retirement\ |
| 170 | I'll run into you and drain your life of its [[PerfectlyCromulentWord entirement]]! |
| 171 | * ManOfAThousandVoices: Brando. While Duane almost always sticks to his distinct style HotBlooded rapping, Brando frequently plays multiple characters and has a much more diverse pool of performance styles. His usual, slightly laid-back rapping/singing voice (usually reserved for heroes and [[TheLancer lancers]]) is recognizable on its own, but he also plays intense villains with monstrous voices (such as Wart of "Mario 2", Chaos of "Final Fantasy", or Agahnim of "Zelda 3"), goofy {{Large Ham}}s (Dr. Morbis of "Cheetahmen" and Dracula of "Castlevania"), as well as [[SimpletonVoice the odd simpleton]] (Clyde from "Pacman" and B. H. Pirkle of "Earthbound"). He even does a Creator/MikeTyson impression for "Punch-Out". |
| 172 | * TheMindIsAPlaythingOfTheBody: Of course, [[EveryoneHasStandards even perverts have standards]], and in "Zelda 3", Link discovers the hard way that [[ForcedTransformation being turned into a bunny]] comes with certain... ''urges''. |
| 173 | * MoodWhiplash: |
| 174 | ** The ending of Duane's "VideoGame/SuperMarioLand" is quite touching... aside from the fact that it's punctuated with a rather epic belch. |
| 175 | ** In Brando's "Zelda 3: The Light World", the Overworld theme gets heroic lyrics, up to a point: |
| 176 | --->I'll face the darkness\ |
| 177 | The angels hearken\ |
| 178 | [[ToiletHumor Your face, I'll fart in!]] |
| 179 | * MushroomSamba: Link in "Zelda 3" finds the Magic Mushroom, which in the game is supposed to be used to get the Magic Powder, but instead eats it, with predictable results. |
| 180 | -->[[Music/{{Gorillaz}} "I'm happy, I'm feeling glad..."]] |
| 181 | * MyHovercraftIsFullOfEels: From "Kung Fu": |
| 182 | -->So door igamo sensei llamo Tamagotchi Ali\ |
| 183 | I dunno what exactly that means I don't speak no Chinese |
| 184 | * NoEnding: Some of their shorter songs end without much resolution. {{Parodied|Trope}} with "Cheetahmen II", which ends abruptly after the fight with Dr. Morbis, reflecting how [[VideoGame/Action52 the original game]] itself [[invoked]] [[ObviousBeta lacked an ending]]. |
| 185 | * OverlyLongGag: The end of the "Saturn Valley" portion of ''[=EarthBound=]'' is the Grapefruit Falls password, which happens to be doing nothing for three full minutes. |
| 186 | * PunkInTheTrunk: In "The Carpet is Lava", after they kill Mike Christensen with a baseball bat [[KickTheDog for standing up to their terrible domestic abuse]], they decide to then drive out and drop his body in a river. |
| 187 | * PuttingOnTheReich: Bowser rallying his minions in the "Mario 3" video looks and ''[[NewEraSpeech sounds]]'' like a Nazi rally. |
| 188 | -->My fellow Koopas, the time for change is upon us!\ |
| 189 | The time has come to take back what is rightfully ours\ |
| 190 | The time has come to take back the Mushroom Kingdom!\ |
| 191 | We will conquer all who oppose us!\ |
| 192 | We will never give up! We will never surrender!\ |
| 193 | We will clean our teeth on the bones of our enemies!\ |
| 194 | ''[[Film/TheWarriors Can you dig it?!]]'' |
| 195 | * QuestionableCasting: {{Invoked|Trope}} in "Mario 2", where [=BrandO=] makes a jab at Creator/JohnLeguizamo being cast as Luigi for [[Film/SuperMarioBros1993 the live-action movie]]: |
| 196 | -->I like ''Film/ThePest'', and I really really liked the clown from ''[[Film/Spawn1997 Spaaaaawn]]''\ |
| 197 | But when they cast him as Luigi, baby, [[TakeThat that was just wrong!]] (And that was just wrong, wrong) |
| 198 | * RedOniBlueOni: Generally, Duane is the more HotBlooded and energetic, most often playing TheHero of any given game, while Brando takes the role of [[ColdHam the cooler, snarkier contrast]], whether it be TheLancer or a villain. It's especially evident in live shows, where Duane cannot stop moving once the music starts, while Brando maintains an incredibly controlled poise while being just as into the hype. |
| 199 | * RhymingWithItself: In the "[[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros2 Mario 2]]" song, Birdo rhymes "face" with itself a few times, and [[LampshadeHanging lampshades it]]. |
| 200 | -->'''Birdo''': I am a motherfuckin' Birdo, look at my face!\ |
| 201 | I spit eggs motherfucker, straight into your face!\ |
| 202 | I'm so hardcore, I rhyme face with face!\ |
| 203 | I rhymed face four times, now get outta my face! |
| 204 | * RunTheGauntlet: Many songs feature the hero facing all of a game's bosses in succession, but "Mario 3" gets a special mention, reserving an entire segment of the song for the Koopalings. |
| 205 | * RunningGag: |
| 206 | ** In "Mega Man 2", the word "[[BigWordShout Dead!]]" is shouted after each boss is defeated. |
| 207 | ** Duane's face appears quite often in both of the music videos for the ''Legend of Zelda'' songs. |
| 208 | ** Trevor and other characters [[NintendoHard keep dying]] throughout ''Castlevania III'', interrupting the music. |
| 209 | ** In the "[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast Zelda 3]]" videos, Link constantly saying that he has a REALLY LARGE PENIS. |
| 210 | * TheScrappy: {{Invoked|Trope}}: "VideoGame/DuckHunt" has a few bars targeting the infamous dog [[TakeThatAudience that laughs at you for failing to shoot any ducks]], including a final verse where in lieu of hunting down and presumably eating ducks, [[BlackComedy Duane and BrandO decide to just eat the dog instead]]. |
| 211 | -->I wanna kill that motherfuckin' dog\ |
| 212 | but every time I try to shoot, the safety is on!\ |
| 213 | One of these days, I'll give you something to laugh about\ |
| 214 | Duck Hunt, baby -- [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere what a pain in the ass, I'm out!]] |
| 215 | * SequelSong: They've done a few by virtue of covering games that are themselves sequels to other games they've made songs for. Even though they usually feature entirely new music aside from a few recycled {{leitmotif}}s, the duo are fond of linking them even further with lyrical {{Call Back}}s. Series include: |
| 216 | ** "[[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1 Mario]]", "[[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros2 Mario 2]]", and "[[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3 Mario 3]]" |
| 217 | ** "[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI Zelda]]" and "[[VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink Zelda II]]" were made as a duo (interestingly enough, they wrote their rap for II first), [=BrandO=] followed up with "[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast Zelda 3]]" as a solo project. |
| 218 | ** The duo worked on "VideoGame/{{Castlevania|I}}" together, while Duane covered "[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaIISimonsQuest Castlevania II]]" as Action Adventure World, while [=BrandO=] later did "[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaIIIDraculasCurse Castlevania III]]" on his own. |
| 219 | ** As Action Adventure World, Duane followed up "VideoGame/MegaMan2" with a CoverAlbum based on ''VideoGame/MegaMan6''. |
| 220 | ** {{Subverted|Trope}} with "VideoGame/{{Metroid|1}}" -- [=BrandO=] would do a cover album titled "[=M3TROID=]" based on ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'', but it's strictly instrumental and contains no major connective tissue to the original rap. |
| 221 | ** In terms of unreleased content, the two were originally planning on following up "VideoGame/MegaMan2" with a song based on ''VideoGame/MegaMan9'' (first as simply "Mega Man 9", but when they broke up in 2010, [=BrandO=] considered finishing it as "Proto Man 9". When the two reunited in 2012, it was then fully teased as "[[BreadEggsBreadedEggs Mega Proto Man 9]]"). [=BrandO=] also considered doing an entire cover album based on ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', this time as a lyric-based rap parody, much like the duo's take on ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyI''. |
| 222 | * SelfDeprecation: Knuckles' verse in "Sonic" contains this gem (which is actually a BrickJoke considering earlier in the song, [[TakeThat they made fun of Leo Camacho, who plays Knuckles]]): |
| 223 | -->So I'm looking at ya Sonic, 'cause you think that you're fast\ |
| 224 | But if you go round for round, then you're never gonna last\ |
| 225 | 'Cause your rhymes are old, bro, I think it's a no-go\ |
| 226 | You sound kinda shitty like Duane and [=BrandO=]! |
| 227 | * SidetrackedByTheGoldSaucer[[invoked]]: Link in "Zelda 3" spends a little too much time at the treasure chest game, to a point where [[BigBad Agahnim]] (already positioned to take a captive Zelda away) is left wondering what's taking him so long. Link doesn't finally arrive until ''six and a half hours'' later. |
| 228 | * ShowerOfAngst: Or rather, Seventeen Boiling Hot Baths of Angst in Episode 5 of "Zelda 3" after Link is turned into a bunny and [[TheMindIsAPlaythingOfTheBody goes on a monster-raping spree]]. |
| 229 | * ShoutOut: They make ''a lot'' of references to not just the games that they're rapping about, but pop culture in general, anything from ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' to Creator/ChristopherWalken. A few choice cuts: |
| 230 | ** When Wily reveals his alien transformation in "VideoGame/MegaMan2", Mega Man disparagingly calls him [[Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial E.T.]]. Wily immediately responds "Dr. Wily phone home!" before noting that he does love Reese's. |
| 231 | ** There's also a pretty amusing reference in Metal Sonic's verse of the Sonic rap. |
| 232 | --->'''Metal Sonic''': ERROR. DOES NOT COMPUTE. SHIT MY SYSTEM FROZE, REBOOT.\ |
| 233 | SCANNING. LOADING CONVERTER, [[WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}} I AM SONIC, INSERT GIRDER]] |
| 234 | ** ''All'' of their ''[[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]]'' songs interpolate "[[WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosSuperShow Do The Mario]]" for at least one verse. |
| 235 | ** "Zelda 3" twice segues into other songs, covered by Brando: Episode 3 features the Kakariko Village theme seamlessly transitioning into "Earth Angel" as performed in ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'', while Episode 4 features a MushroomSamba scored with Music/{{Gorillaz}}' "Clint Eastwood." |
| 236 | ** In "Mario 3" alone: |
| 237 | *** The intro is a recreation of that from Music/{{Eminem}}'s "Lose Yourself", and later on, they also make use of the infamous "mom's spaghetti" lyric. |
| 238 | *** The "VS" segment is introduced with "[[Music/{{SnoopDogg}} Smoke weed every day!]]", with Duane chiming in with "I'm [[Creator/DwayneJohnson Duane 'The Rock' Johnson]]!" |
| 239 | *** One of the backgrounds used in the music video is a close-up of the desk from ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys''. |
| 240 | *** Bowser asks his assembled troops towards the end, "[[Film/TheWarriors can you dig it?]]" |
| 241 | *** [[ItMakesSenseInContext When Mario pummels the sun]], he uses [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI Sabin's]] very own pummel technique. |
| 242 | *** Also in the music video is the "WASTED" graphic from ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV''. |
| 243 | *** During the "Dark Land" segment, the chunky guitar rhythms end up transitioning into a recreation of that of "Immigrant Song" by Music/LedZeppelin, complete with Luigi providing the familiar [[MetalScream metal wail]]. |
| 244 | *** Mario promises to take Luigi to [[Wrestling/BrockLesnar Suplex City]]. |
| 245 | * SpecialGuest: |
| 246 | ** "Final Fantasy" includes several guest voices: Mike Christensen as Spud (the Black Belt), Leo Camacho as Leo (the Black Mage), Jordan Lackey as Jojo (the Red Mage) and Bikke, Sue Whitmore as Princess Sara, and Jesse Mardis as a guest guitarist. |
| 247 | ** Leo Camacho gets guest verses as Knuckles in "Sonic" and Abobo in "Double Dragon". |
| 248 | ** "The Carpet Is Lava" also features guest verses with Michael Crane, Mike Christensen, Ashleigh Zuwala, and Ashton Zuwala. |
| 249 | ** The ''LP of Devastation'' version of "Metroid" is entirely rapped by Ally Lackey as Samus Aran, with the titular duo only limited to a single cameo line by Brando. This is especially noteworthy as the duo had previously released a demo version on their [=MySpace=], which originally consisted of Duane rapping about Samus from third person. |
| 250 | ** "Pacman" features Danielle Curavo filling in as Pinky and Michael Crane as Blinky and Inky (Brando playing Clyde). |
| 251 | ** Brando's "Castlevania III" features "Dac" (of [=YouTube=] channel [[https://www.youtube.com/gaftunes "gaftunes"]]) as Grant [=DaNasty=] and Danielle Curavo again as Sypha. |
| 252 | ** In addition to the above roles, Curavo is the duo's go-to for Zelda, playing the part in "Zelda 2" and Brando's "Zelda 3" series. |
| 253 | ** Music/{{Brentalfloss}} appears for a guest verse as Toad in "[[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3 Mario 3]]", to date receiving the first and only proper "featured artist" credit to a Duane and Brando song. |
| 254 | ** The incomplete "[[VideoGame/MegaMan9 Mega Proto Man 9]]" was originally to have Brentalfloss return for an opening verse ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp96GllszsY which he contributed to a live performance]]) and Music/MegaRan for the "Galaxy Man" segment (which exists online as a separate demo clip). |
| 255 | * SubvertedRhymeEveryOccasion: From Duane's "VideoGame/IceClimber": |
| 256 | -->Dodge the icicles falling up high,\ |
| 257 | If they hit me then I'll probably ''get mad or something!'' |
| 258 | * TraumaButton: Played for laughs in the music video for "Mario 3", where after Mario calls Iggy [[BigStupidDooDooHead "a nerd with a fat head!"]], the music fades out with a dramatic zoom-in on Iggy's face as the word "TRIGGERED" stamps above him. |
| 259 | * UngratefulBastard: Sonic in "Sonic the Hedgehog" keeps getting Tails to help him with rings and flight, but then turns around to insult him, tell him to "go the fuck away" and say how he doesn't need a sidekick. |
| 260 | * VampireBitesSuck: "Castlevania" features the final battle between Simon Belmont and Dracula, and at one point, Dracula takes what sounds like a nasty chomp out of him. In the ''LP of Devastation'' version of the song, Duane's scream makes it sound ''really painful''. |
| 261 | * VerbalTic: When they have to pad out the meter, they often say "ha-ha!" Or, if all else fails, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch "bitch!"]] |
| 262 | * VideoGameCrueltyPotential: Tails is abused in their ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' song, with the unseen player taking advantage of his infinite respawns to kill him over and over and over again. |
| 263 | -->'''Tails''':Hey Sonic, tell Player 2 to stop jumpin' in spikes\ |
| 264 | That shit hurts, even with these infinite lives! |
| 265 | * ViewerPronunciationConfusion: {{Invoked|Trope}} in "Final Fantasy", which has the character Bikke, but while the subtitles read out his name, the actual sound of him introducing himself is replaced with a cough. In a Website/YouTube comment, Brando claimed that none among them could agree on how to pronounce it.[[note]]The best official answer we have came with ''VideoGame/StrangerOfParadiseFinalFantasyOrigin'' (released in 2022, over a decade after the duo's song came out), where characters pronounce it "bee-kay".[[/note]] |
| 266 | * VillainSong: Chaos in "Final Fantasy" is unique in that most of his sections use music from the sequels, making him stand out in a song that otherwise deals exclusively with the first game. |
| 267 | -->Those fools are on their way, they'll ''rue'' the day they came this way\ |
| 268 | I'm '''''CHAOS!''''' ...in the flesh.\ |
| 269 | The Fiends compare to fleas compared to me, it's ''great'' to be\ |
| 270 | pure '''''CHAOS!''''' ...I laid [[VideoGame/DragonQuestI Erdrick]] to rest\ |
| 271 | And one by one you'll die by my hand! Oh [[OneWingedAngel look what I've become]]!\ |
| 272 | [[TitleDrop This fantasy is far from final]]... The worst is yet to come... |
| 273 | * VisualPun: |
| 274 | ** An understated one during the "Final Fantasy" music video, where during Chaos' VillainousLament, several ''VideoGame/MegaMan'' characters playing as a band, and Bass is playing... bass. |
| 275 | ** Twofold during the "Mario 3" rap: a king-transformed-into-a-dog is seen sitting in front of a Warp [[TheStoner Pipe]] with smoke coming out of it; the lyrics played during this shot are "Smoke weed everyday", a meme associated with Music/SnoopDogg. |
| 276 | * VoiceOfTheLegion: Chaos during his own segment in "Franchise/FinalFantasy", alternating between [[EvilSoundsDeep one deep demonic voice]], [[CreepyHighPitchedVoice one higher-pitched normal voice]]. |
| 277 | * WeCanRuleTogether: |
| 278 | ** Dark Link offers to have Link join him in the climax of "Zelda 2" to take over and ruin Hyrule. [[ShutUpHannibal Link promptly rejects it]] with a serious AIBreaker. |
| 279 | ** In "Double Dragon", during the fight between Billy and [[EvilAllAlong Jimmy]]: |
| 280 | --->'''Jimmy Lee:''' Join us! Don't be so stupid!\ |
| 281 | Teach all of my warriors Sousetsuken!\ |
| 282 | If ya don't, I'll put you in a headlock, G!\ |
| 283 | By the way, I think [[DamselInDistress yer girl]] really likes me... |
| 284 | * WithLyrics: Almost the entirety of their discography, though they do have a few original songs. Being mostly rappers, however, often times the instrumental is used as a backdrop, with the duo usually opting out of singing the original song melodies of their various tunes. |
| 285 | |
| 286 | ---- |
| 287 | ...[[BrickJoke DEAD]] |
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