Sometimes you hear a song for the first time and swear you’ll be humming it for the rest of your life. This is exactly what happened when I heard Barnes & Barnes’ “Fish Heads” on the Dr. Demento Show during a summer trip to Boston. My parents got to hear me singing about Fish Heads the rest of our vacation. While I thought I didn’t know anything about the band, it turns out I “grew” up with either Art or Artie Barnes. Actor Billy Mumy was half of the group. How much time did I spend watching him as Will Robinson on Lost In Space? Who knew the guy who played “Greensleeves” with the Robot would come up with “Fish Heads”? The other half was his high school friend Robert Haimer. The duo came up with brilliant tunes beyond “Fish Heads.” Now you can once more enjoy them when Zabagabee – The Best of Barnes & Barnes arrives on DVD after being released on VHS back in 1987.
Jose Ferrar (Dune) opens the special talking about how Art & Artie Barnes were the rage of the English stage when he was a child. Jerry Siegel tells us how Art and Arty got him to create Superman. Larry “Wildman” Fischer testifies about them. Then we get the glory that is “Fish Heads.” This is the song I want played at my funeral. We get the long version of the video that was co-directed and featured Bill Paxton (One False Move). Dr. Demento appears. I thought the song was bizarre. The video even takes it up to the next level of absurdity. Ever see a fish head at a movie theater or wearing a sweater? How did they find so many fish heads.
Dr. Demento shows up and swears Barnes & Barnes played at Woodstock. “Love Tap” has Bill Paxton as the man receiving love taps from his girlfriend. Really wish they’d lay this video before a screening of Aliens. Shaun Cassidy (The Hardy Boys) and Shirley Jones (The Partridge Family) give strange tales of their time with Art & Arty. “Soak It Up” has Bill Paxton only getting wet from his woman this time. Mark Hamill reflects on their friendship while Rae Dawn Chong (Soul Man) swears they’ll were a thruple. “Ah A” shows Rae Dawn Chong performing a banana dance to this blissfully simple song. I think the MC from Cafe Flesh pops up at the end. Devo’s Booji Boy and “Weird Al” Yankovic prove they are the same people in this special. “Party In My Pants” is a great party song. The video has a bunch of stop motion dolls partying in pants. Dr. Smith from Lost In Space and the guys from America recall the band.
“Pizza Face” has Miguel Ferrer (Twin Peaks) taking a girl on a messy date at a pizza parlor. Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers is a pizza delivery guy. Plus we finally see that Billy Mumy was Will Robinson when they “share” a guitar solo. Steven Stills from CSN&Y tells us how rock could have been changed. Rosemary Clooney reveals Barnes & Barnes were supposed to be the stars of White Christmas. “When You Die” has dancing in a cemetery. Might have to schedule this for the end of my funeral. Art & Artie Barnes understood the absurd journey of life.
Zabagabee – The Best of Barnes & Barnes is a testament to the crazy genius created by Billy Mumy and Robert Haimer. If you catch yourself humming “Fish Heads” – you need to experience the full joy of what Art and Artie created sonically and visually. Why aren’t Barnes & Barnes in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (along with Weird Al)?
The Video is 1.33:1 full frame. This was made for VHS although I don’t thing North American Video had it on the shelf. The image looks fine. The Audio is Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo.
No bonus features.
Liberation Hall presents Zabagabee – The Best of Barnes & Barnes. Directed by Billy Mumy, Robert Haimer & Miguel Ferrar. Starring Billy Mumy, Robert Haimer, Miguel Ferrar, Bill Paton, Flea Migue Ferrar and Doctor Demento. Running Time: 36 minutes. Rating: Unrated. Release Date: July 24, 2026.
