“Dementites and Dementoids,” pay attention! Comedy music website The Funny Music Project, aka The FuMP will pay tribute to the legendary radio DJ and Radio Hall of Game legend Dr. Demento with: “Fruits of the Smogberry Trees: The FuMP’s Tribute to Dr. Demento.” This tribute album features various artists covering songs from and about the show.
In June 2025, Dr. Demento – also known as Barret Hansen – announced on his weekly show (found at DrDemento.com) that he would be retiring as of October of the same year. *mega sniffles* As many of the artists and performers of the collective known as The FuMP were heavily influenced by the good doctor (not to mention the fact that a FuMP artist has held the honor of the #1 song for the year for the first 11 years of The FuMP’s inception), “Fruits of the Smogberry Trees: The FuMP’s Tribute to Dr. Demento” was born.
Spearheaded by FuMP founder and head honcho Devo Spice (aka Tom Rockwell) and featuring FuMP regulars and Dr. Demento Show acts such as
the great Luke Ski, Devo Spice, Tony Goldmark, Power Salad, SuLu (former Dr. Demento Show sidekick), The Consortium of Genius, Insane Ian, Jeff Whitmire, Carla Ulbrich, Bill Larkin, 2 Sleeps, Ross Childs, Joe J. Thomas, MC Lars, Robbie Ellis, Mikey Mason, Robert Lund & Spaff, Dr. Sarcoffiguy, Dead By 28, Lauren Mayer, Tom Smith, Toby Danger, Nuclear Bubble Wrap, Danny Rockett, Steve Goodie, Bad Beth and Beyond, Larry Tritel, Knuckleheadz, and Dr. Demento Show superfan Christopher Bay;
the 2 disc, 40 track compilation not only includes said artists covering songs from the show’s 55 year history, but also songs about the show and Dr. Demento himself, as well as closing the album with a brand new, unreleased cover of Dr. Demento Show staple “Shaving Cream,” by Benny Bell featuring members of The FuMP with verses penned and performed by FuMP artists.
The album will be available for purchase as a digital download or on CD at TheFuMP.com beginning on Friday, August 15th, 2025.
Now we don’t have to be as sad about the retirement. OF COURSE, perhaps Dr. D could continue on forever if his conscience were transplanted into an immortal cyborg body, as fans have suggested. Dr. Demento FOR ETERNITY!
Mentions: Pickup Fruits of the Smogberry Trees: The FuMP’s Tribute to Dr. Demento starting 8.15.25 at TheFuMP.com. Cover art by Kendra Shepherd. Full track listing and artist bios available on the site. Artists from The FuMP posts two new comedy songs each week on their website at www.thefump.com which are available to download and stream for FREE. Legendary radio personality Dr. Demento called The FuMP “the Premiere Online Source for Funny Music” and “the best thing to happen to funny music since Al went weird.” Songs can be purchased individually or as a monthly subscription. High quality versions of the songs are available for sale and on compilation CDs which are produced every other month. Subscriptions start at just $4.99 a month.