REVIEW: Man Man @ The Trocadero 3/5

The Web site for the award-winning alternative weekly, the Philadelphia City Paper.

options

REVIEW: Man Man @ The Trocadero 3/5

POSTED: Monday, March 8, 2010, 9:40 PM

Filed Under: Music | Philly Bands Show

photos by Julia West

The band never said a word.

When Man Man played a sold out show at the Troc last Friday they didn't feel the need to introduce songs or band members to the hometown crowd. And forget about a little friendly banter. The songs were intended to lean up against each other, the euphoric buzz in the audience was meant to remain uninterrupted. As a result of this voodoo the sea of bouncing bodies became one creature that singer Honus Honus (aka Ryan Kattner) could control with one finger and a madman eye.

Then there was the crowd-surfing, and who knew that that still happens? When the stage diving began, Honus Honus was high-fiving, saluting, and mock kicking the brave and the cocky who had slithered their way up there. The crazy monkey-child who took a running start and simply ran on top of the audience got bonus lunatic points. But the winner came after Honus Honus hoisted himself onto the speakers and managed his way up to the Troc's balcony where he straddled one lucky audience member. At this moment a desperate and adoring fan scaled the balcony to meet his hero who, tragically never saw the kid or wanted to dodge him and turned to made his way back to center stage, leaving the dejected boy to fearfully plop on the crowd from far too high. This wasn't even half of the theatrics.

Decked out in warpaint and white tennis gear, Man Man are gifted musicians as well as entertainers. A few costume changes put the frontman in a trench coat, then a sequined top. Later, while all the other members hid behind their instruments and stands, the band's singer dumped baby powder on a drum as Pow Pow (Christopher Powell) played. With a masterful drumroll the powder turned into eerie puffs drifting across the stage. After the remaining members popped up from the hiding spots they rocked two instruments at once. Like Chang Wang (Billy Dufala) with a big old saxophone slung over a bass guitar while standing behind the marimbas. Kind of impressive. At one point Honus Honus held up two sets of keys, shaking them frantically. Even then he didn't speak directly to the audience, just gestured until hundreds of keys were pulled from pockets and rattled in the air, making the song come off the stage and live momentarily in the crowd.

To further demonstrate the band's appreciation for their Philly audience, they came out for two encores. The set list consisted of a mix of new tunes and classics, and the beauties from Rabbit Habbits ("Mister Jung Stuffed," "Top Drawer") got everyone the most excited. But when parts one and two of the night's encore came it was the gems from Six Demon Bag that thrilled. "Engwish Bwudd" and "Ice Dogs" were the two greatest moments of the show. They were the most intimate, with the crowd singing in off-key unison and Honus Honus nearing exhaustion, crouching and repeating with everyone in the entire Trocadero, "This ship won't sail, and this heart won't die."

Posted 2010-03-09 01:24:24

I just Love you!

Will

Posted 2010-03-12 22:52:05

I got kicked in the face by that 'crazy monkey-child' you so easily give bonus points to! For shame! But seriously this concert was the most fun i've had in a dog's age. Long live those crazy bastards.

Posted by Julia West @ 9:40 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Previous Story: TONIGHT: First Person Arts' "Warning: Graphic Content" at Bryn Mawr

Next Story: The Good, The Meh and The Very Ugly: Judging Oscar Fashion

Comments (0)

Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
What we're trying to do this weekend
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
NOW SEE THIS: Transit cop arrests marijuana activist for alleged disorderly conduct.
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: The Archbishop meets the Geator, the Mayor goes suit shopping, Le Bec Fin fin.
SWIMMING HOLES: Some of our favorite places to get wet
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: Indian fare rules, Dunder Mifflin lives on, Tom Jones is a god
ICE CUBE: In Memoriam: Joe Tartaglia

About this blog

Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

Follow Critical Mass editors Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@mission2denmark | @emilygee

Search this blog:

Topics:

Blog archives:

May
April
March

February
January

Past Archives: