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) Jefferson

Man Man is an experimental band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Man Man is known for their bizarre live performances similar to those of the Mars Volta and Mr. Bungle, which over time have become legendary.

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, fireworks, and on occasion, audience members' heads.

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 "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.

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 written for the album was "Steak Knives," which was 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.

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.

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)

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