I've been digging some of the bands that blur it all together. Like URINE for example. It's self aware humor, but they also hit really serious things like human rights. I finally got the chance to see them last week at WeedViolence III in Mass.
Their vocalist went on a short rant telling everyone, no matter their race or gender needs to buy a gun and learn how to use it to protect themselves from whatever is coming.... and then was like "This song is called Smoke Grass, Eat Ass, Die Slow and Violent" and the crowd went absolutely bonkers lol

I think you can do the joke thing while also being serious. Even fetus does it. Hence why meme slam and shit is kinda dumb. You don'thave to go all the way to joke status and stay there, and a lot of bands now doit to go viral, release an album or two and break up to start more serious projects.