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Le Diamant Brut: Man Man & Cruiserweight
What’s the Deal: Describing the music this Philly fivesome spew and spurt forth is a tricky task, but here’s one interpretation. They’re kind of like if a giant ran through a major city and gobbled up Tom Waits circa Swordfishtrombones, a 50s-era jazz singer, a gypsy musical troupe and a circus of experimental sounds. Man Man would be the sound his stomach made as it rumbled and groaned with a dangerously volatile case of indigestion. Their sets during South by were wildly entertaining with all members bouncing around the stage in white t-shirts, shorts and face paint banging on just about anything they could.
They have a brand new record, Rabbit Habits, coming out in the beginning of April on Anti-. On tracks like “Top Drawer” there’s a gruff and steamy blues thing happening with the vocals in the midst of xylophone, keys, guitar and whatever else they found to beat on. Man Man often pull out an arsenal instruments like the clavinet, euphonium and melodica to accompany such clamoring tunes as “Black Mission Goggles.” It’s a rough and feral song with growling and yawping vocals, a circus-like organ, percussive tapping and rapping and an Eastern European gypsy sound.
Something Interesting: They do a version of “Little Boxes” for the opening credits of an episode in the third season of Weeds. Also, the members of Man Man go by the names Honus Honus, Sergei Sogay, Pow Pow, Critter Crat and Chang Wang.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Van Helsing Boombox” and “I’d Rather Go Blind”
What’s the Deal: Although pop punk may not be what’s fresh, hip or what everyone is vying for these days, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun as hell. Bands like this Austin group encourage you to step outside of your converse for a second and take a minute to rock out to something that, oh no, might make you a little less of a hipster, god forbid. It’s poppy and energetic, and singer Stella Maxwell is enough to make you want to break out that old Tilt tape (that’s right, tape) and see if it still plays. They’re on Doghouse Records (known for putting out records by The Get Up Kids, Hot Water Music and others), and they have an upcoming disc called Big Bold Letters.
One of the tracks on the new album, “Balboa” is packed with palm-mutes and power chords and a bouncing beat that follows behind a strong chorus about kicking butt and taking names. In the style of Green Day’s “Basket Case”, Cruiserweight have a video for the straight-ahead rocker “Yellow Lights” which takes place in a mental institution as Maxwell runs through the halls and occasionally rocks out.
Something Interesting: Their video for “Permanent Things” is purposefully ridiculous with 80s attire, sappy poses, playing air instruments and even a mullet or two.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “This Ain’t No Beach Party”
