tbh I think they're a serious parody to use your words. they've been around for ages in different style incarnations. it's only about a year and a half ago that they jumped on to the world stage via their internet presence and I believe they actually got signed to...Sony iirc. A couple of other SA artists of similar styling (example Jack Parow), were drawn up via their momentum. Here's a Parow single:wtf?! I can't tell if they are crazy serious or a clever parody.
Might go and see this guy when he comes to London in a few months.
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr7jNfZk3t8
in an aside, KEXP has a pretty decent internet streamRemind me of the Blow Monkeys. Yes, I'm that old!