- Man Man
-
For other uses, see Manman (disambiguation).
Man Man 
Background information Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Genres Experimental rock Years active 2003–present Labels Ace Fu Records, ANTI- Associated acts Mister Heavenly Website manmanbandband.com Members Honus Honus (Ryan Kattner)
Pow Pow (Christopher Powell)
T. Moth (Jamey Robinson)
Chang Wang (Billy Dufala)
JeffersonMan Man is an experimental band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Man Man is known for their exuberant live performances. When performing, the members of the band sometimes coordinate their outfits, often seen in white outfits and, more commonly, war paint.
The band uses pseudonyms—the frontman is Honus Honus, and its other members are Pow Pow, Chang Wang, Turkey Moth, and Jefferson.
They're known for their multi instrumental style that centers on the piano playing of lead singer/lyricist Honus Honus accompanied by a wide variety of other instruments played by the rest of the band. On recordings, Honus usually plays piano but during the live shows he uses a Rhodes Piano or a Nord Electro 3. Other instruments played by the rest of the band include a clavinet, Moog Little Phatty, sousaphone, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, flute, bass clarinet, drum set, euphonium, Fender Jazz Bass, Danelectro baritone guitar, xylophone, marimba, melodica and various percussive instruments including pots and pans, toy noise makers, chinese funeral horns, spoons, smashing plates, and fireworks.
Contents
History
Man Man released their debut The Man in a Blue Turban with a Face in October 2004 on Ace Fu Records, but they did not begin to tour extensively until their follow-up album Six Demon Bag was released in 2006 to positive reviews. During 2007, the band opened for Modest Mouse on several U.S tours, gaining them further public attention. Not long afterward, Nike began airing a series of commercials starring Rainn Wilson with Man Man's "10 lb Mustache" as the background music.[1] "10 lb Mustache", "Feathers", and "Engwish Bwudd" were featured in season 3, episode 8 of the TV show Weeds. The band also recorded a cover of "Little Boxes" for the title sequence of that episode.[2]
Man Man released their third studio album Rabbit Habits on ANTI- in 2008, and embarked on a North American tour in March 2008, with Yeasayer and Tim Fite splitting dates. They performed at numerous festivals including Voodoo Experience, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, All Tomorrow's Parties, Primavera Sound, and the Meredith Music Festival that same year.
Man Man released their fourth album Life Fantastic in May 2011 with producer Mike Mogis (of Bright Eyes and Monsters of Folk fame). The first song on the album was "Steak Knives," which was inspired by a failed relationship and the death of a close friend. It took Kattner over a year to write.[3]
Prior to settling on Man Man, the band was named Gamelon and briefly Magic Blood.
Honus Honus has made an album with Nicholas Thorburn of Islands and The Unicorns, and Joe Plummer of Modest Mouse and The Shins under the name, Mister Heavenly.
One thing that has been floated around is Honus Honus from Man Man and I [Thorburn] making a record in a new (sub)genre we are developing, called Doom Wop, which is essentially low frequency, and extremely slowed down music atop traditional doo wop harmonies. Or something.[4]Discography
Studio albums
- The Man in a Blue Turban with a Face (2004)
- Six Demon Bag (2006)
- Rabbit Habits #186 U.S. (2008)
- Life Fantastic #157 U.S. (2011)
EPs
- Man Man EP (2004)
- Little Torments 7" (2008)
References
- ^ http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/article/6980/feature/music/catching_up_with_man_man
- ^ http://stereogum.com/5806/the_shins_man_man_do_weeds/show-tunes/
- ^ http://inflatableferret.com/interviews/interview-honus-honus-of-man-man/
- ^ Evan Weiss (2009-10-20). "The Arts Section: Islands Feature". The Arts Section. http://www.theartssection.com/2009/10/music-vapours-by-islands.html. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
External links
- Official Site
- Interview with Honus Honus, Ryan Kattner, The Inflatable Ferret 10/13/11
- Interview with RadioUTD
- Interview with Tiny Mix Tapes' Chris Ruen
- Interview with Pitchfork Media 05/22/06
- WHYME Podcast #49: Interview with Honus Honus of Man Man
- NPR Broadcast of the June 30, 2006 concert in Washington, DC
- Tiny Mix Tapes article on current tour.
- Set of 6 live videos at scheduletwo.com
- Honus Honus interview with Ted Coe on KCSB-FM's The Freak Power Ticket 08/30/10
EPs Man Man EP · Little TormentsCategories:- American rock music groups
- Musical groups from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
