Rat Pants

Today's Music of the Day is actually a concert review. Over the weekend, I was in Minneapolis, and had the chance to take in a performance by Mark Mallman: local favorite, piano abuser, all-around wacky guy. He was promoting his new album, Invincible Criminal, and treated the audience to an 'unplugged' performance.

Mark Mallman himself was introduced with a reading of his life story by a local 'celebrity', the name of whom has escaped me. She did introduce herself as the host of her own show - something like 'Malibu Barbie's Slumber Party' - which may or may not be safe to search online for with children around. Anyway, the reading was somewhat humorous - particularly when Mallman chastised her from off-stage ("read it, it's all fuckin' true") - though it was lessened somewhat by the fact that Malibu Barbie's talents seemed to consist of showing off her legs and basically anything not involving words.

Finally, Mallman came out, drummer and bassist in tow. He was also flanked by two individuals in rat suits; these rats didn't actually have a direct presence in the show, but sat on the stage and watched The Wizard of Oz on an old-fashioned Zenith(?) television. Mallman, for his part, wore a white tuxedo jacket over a sleeveless plaid shirt, with some oddly blotched dark jeans, looking every bit like a younger Tiny Tim who dressed himself from a bag of clothes left at the Salvation Army.

For his part, Mallman was mostly focused on the music, playing a number of songs without much banter with (or from) the audience. The smallish crowd - probably between fifty and sixty - was appreciative of his music, though. Mallman was very active, generally standing to sing and play the piano, sometimes with one foot on the piano itself. He even played a song with an electric guitar, though not without taking a verbal shot at guitar players in general ("they know their place").

There was an amusing interlude midway through the show where Mallman shut off the television and told the rats that it was time for bed. He promised them a bedtime story and asked them to lie down on the stage; one of the rats was wearing jeans, having forgotten his 'rat pants', and Mallman told the two rats to switch places because of this. (Note: I'm not sure if Mallman was scolding the rat in jeans or not, but I suspect it will be a while before I hear the phrase 'rat pants' again.) The 'bedtime story' was about an incident in Portland, Oregon, where Mallman and his band had been 'partying' with a couple strippers. (Mallman: "I had written the word 'poop' on the window with hair conditioner; it was not one of my proudest moments".)

There was alos a brief encore, in which Mallwolf made an appearance! (Note: Mallwolf is actually Mark Mallman with a wolf mask.) This would have been the high point of most other (read: lamer) shows.

Overall, the Mallman show was very entertaining. It was somewhat unfortunate that he focused on his music so much, as the comedic bits seemed to be well-received by the audience. Still, Mallman is a more than capable pianist, and his vocals, while somewhat more dramatic than accomplished, were certainly a strength. I don't know that I could hang out with Mark Mallman, who is probably a nice enough guy if you remember the rat pants that you are responsible for, because he simply seems just unhinged enough. I suppose I feel the same way about him that the Dandy Warhols feel about the Brian Jonestown Massacre, as recounted in the film Dig!:

Eric Hedford: "...I will not have them anywhere near me again."
Peter Holmstrom: "I'll still buy their albums though."

Well, maybe that's a bit harsh, but the Mark Mallman experience is certainly not easily forgotten.

For reference:
http://markmallman.wordpress.com - some free music here! Enjoy.

In Other News:
The Bryant Lake Bowl is a pretty wicked place to hang out. Where else can you see a concert, bowl, and get Belgian beer (and mojitos!) all in the same place?

Actual album reviews coming later this week, I swear!

In a day or two, I might be back to normal, so long as I don't run out of peanut butter.