Genres Experimental rock Labels Ace Fu Records, ANTI- Genre Experimental rock | Years active 2003–present Website manmanbandband.com Associated acts Tom Waits, Shilpa Ray | |
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Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Members Ryan Kattner, Christopher Powell, Billy Dufala, Jamey Robinson, Jefferson Albums On Oni Pond, Six Demon Bag, Rabbit Habits, Life Fantastic, The Man in a Blue Turban wi Profiles | ||
Man man top drawer
Man Man is an experimental band from Philadelphia. Their multi-instrumental style is centered on the piano playing of lead singer and lyricist Honus Honus. On recordings, Honus usually plays piano but during the live shows he uses a Rhodes Piano or a Nord Electro 3. He is accompanied by an energetic group of musicians and vocalists. Instruments played by 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 noisemakers, Chinese funeral horns, spoons, smashing plates, fireworks, and—on occasion—audience members' heads.
Contents
Man man full performance live on kexp
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. "10 lb Mustache", "Feathers", and "Engrish 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.
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 album featured a less "wacky" and more somber sound than previous releases. The first song written for the album was "Steak Knives," inspired by a failed relationship and the death of a close friend. It took Kattner (Honus Honus) over a year to write.
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. Thorburn has suggested he and Honus are making a record in a new subgenre called "doom wop," consisting of slow, low-frequency music transposed with traditional doo wop harmonies.
Man Man then recorded their fifth studio album, On Oni Pond which was released on September 10, 2013. The album was again produced by Mike Mogis. They have released the first single, titled "Head On." "Head On" peaked at #32 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
Honus has recently completed both a solo album and an album of children's music. On November 4th, 2016, Honus released his solo album, Use Your Delusion.
Members
with multi-instrumentalists Shono Murphy (DiPinto guitar, trumpet, percussion, vocals) and Brown Sugar (Schatzaphone, DiPinto bass, malletKAT, saxophone, keyboards, percussion, vocals).
Past members
Previous members have included, but were not limited to, Tiberius Lyn, Sweet Chestnut, Kritter Krat/Cougar (Russell Higbee, current touring bassist for Modest Mouse), Turkey Moth/Giamebee (Jamey Robinson), Chang Wang (Billy Blaise Dufala), Steven Dufala, Les Mizzle (Craig Van Hise), Jefferson, and Sergei Sogay (Chris Shar).
Studio albums
Extended plays
Singles
"Head On (Hold On To Your Heart)" - No. 32 Alternative Songs
Songs
Head OnOn Oni Pond · 2013
Van Helsing BoomboxSix Demon Bag · 2006
Engwish BwuddSix Demon Bag · 2006