Butthole Surfers American punk rock band Butthole Surfers posing for a portrait in New York City, 1996. Pictured are (left to right) guitarist Paul Leary, drummer King Coffey, and lead vocalist Gibby Haynes. (more) Butthole Surfers American rock band Written by Michelle Castro Michelle Castro is a Cuban-Chicana freelance contributor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. Michelle Castro Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 19, 2026 •History Butthole Surfers, American experimental punk rock band known for their neopsychedelic sound and unconventional performance style. Formed in Texas in the early 1980s, Butthole Surfers’ bizarre and subversive lyrics and anarchic concerts, which borrowed heavily from the avant-garde, made them a cult favorite among fans of hardcore punk. Later the band achieved a modest level of mainstream success—a shocking development for a group whose name almost guaranteed they would never be played on the radio....

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