The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Variety

Media Credit: COURTESY MAN MAN Philadelphia-based band Man Man will play at the 40 Watt on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. [Click to enlarge]

With growling vocals and frenetic tunes, Philadelphia-based Man Man is a five-man mind trip.

So rather than taking the typical path of self-promotion, lead singer Ryan Kattner tried a little reverse psychology in a phone interview on Sunday.

"I feel like every band is always saying 'come and see us play.' Why don't I say we're terrible, will anyone come out?" he asked. "Otherwise, no one will come to the show for the right reasons."

Thus began an interview as offbeat as the band's genre-transcending music.

"[We play] conventional pop music," Kattner said, "a cross between Nickelback, Barenaked Ladies and Rob Thomas in the trunk of the car being pushed off a cliff, on fire … like hot rock."

Au contraire. When Nickelback starts to use accordions, vintage keyboards or fire extinguishers, then we'll talk.

Until then, Man Man might be the only band to successfully integrate squeaky toys into its sometime jazzy pop, sometime gypsy cabaret hodgepodge of musical eccentricity.

The band's quirky style has earned it opening gigs for bands like Modest Mouse and Arcade Fire.

But one wouldn't know that listening to Kattner.

"We sound like everybody," he said. "We have an OK live show. We all have acoustic guitars that we emerge out of."

Coming from a band with stage names such as "Sergei Sogay" and "Chang Wang," the last bit wouldn't be surprising. But what's in a name?

"I wanted to come up with worst band name ever," Kattner (or Honus Honus) said. "We wanted the name 'Man on Man,' but we realized that was taken. [Man Man's] like ... we're cutting to the chase."

Known for their facial hair, the band members live up to their testosterone-friendly moniker.

"With a name like Man Man, everyone just talks about our mustaches and beards," Kattner said, "which is fine, it's better than talking about the mascara we wear."

Eye makeup aside, Kattner offered glimpses into the driving force behind the band's range.

"Relationships falling apart, working lousy jobs, touring a lot, and disjointed childhoods are our big influences," he said.

"A dysfunctional personal life is probably the most inspirational thing I could have. It's not something I'd recommend for everyone, otherwise they'll run the risk of being in a weird conventional rock band."

The show is part of a tour that will land the band in the Netherlands.

"It's kind of like pre-gaming," Kattner said. "You can consider this tour beer pong, we're getting ready for the big fight. We're getting ready for the big showdown at the pit."

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