losing it

Monkey buys a drink from a vending machine

Say hi-diddily-ho to a Ned Flanders-themed metal band

Despite Ned Flanders’ religious benevolence and gentle demeanor, he tends to inspire quite a bit of musical hate. With an assist from David Byrne, Homer Simpson expressed frustration toward his neighbor with the castigation “Everybody Hates Ned Flanders.” And in real life, there’s now an aggressive Phoenix quintet called Okilly Dokilly, which calls itself “the world’s only Nedal band.” Besides appropriating Flanders’ slang, the band members—dubbed “Head Ned,” “Bled Ned,” etc.—mimic his fashion sense: All sport dark-green sweaters, a pink collared shirt, bushy mustaches, and dorky glasses.