Man Man + Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers - Wonder Ballroom (Portland, OR; May 18, 2011)

Polished mania – there couldn’t be a better way to describe what Man Man is, and what it exudes. Critics want to place this Philadelphia band into a box labeled “gypsy music,” “carnival sounds” or even “hodgepodge of schizophrenia,” but that doesn’t give Man Man everything it deserves. Man Man offers a potent mixture of all that is fun with music, led by slightly crazed frontman Honus Honus, who gives 190 percent of himself to the crowd while he is onstage.

Honus certainly did that Wednesday night at Wonder Ballroom, where he and his crew put on a show full of more color and energy than I think I’ve ever witnessed. The crowd was more than ready for it, and many faces were streaked with Man Man’s signature war paint before the show even began. They didn’t have to wait for the headliners to show up before they started dancing, however, because openers Shilpa Ray and the Happy Hookers delivered a tasty punk-blues kind of set that got everyone moving and shaking.

Ray’s tiny frame and girlie features quickly showed themselves no match for what she is as a musician. She viciously pumped on her old-fashioned harmonium and shrieked so powerfully that the flower tucked in her hair fell to the ground by the end of the first song. When she wasn’t screaming, she released a smoky and beautiful voice, much like that of Heartless Bastards’ Erika Wennerstrom. Ray’s face was unapologetic as she tore through the octaves and snarled at the crowd, and it made for a highly magnetic performance.

Her Happy Hookers managed to shine themselves, with the bass, drums and guitar dropping lush rhythm for Ray to sing along with. They bounced from genre to genre with ease, weaving from beach pop rock to grimy jazz. In watching the guitarist, who was celebrating his 21st birthday, swoon all over the stage for 20 minutes, it was pretty obvious he was ready to party. Which was fine, especially after Ray referred to him as her “defiant hooker,” who “always questions my authority.”

Towards the end of their set, the foursome played a particularly rad Clash-like tune, but it was disrupted by breaks midway through that had Ray singing, and the music behind her playing, in a flowy, romantic kind of way. It was about the only disagreeing factor of their show, and it was just a shame it kept a potential hit from being as great as it could’ve been. Regardless, I am now in love with this band, and hope the rest of the world joins me in my appreciation of them, sooner rather than later.

Same for Man Man, though in witnessing the size and dedication of their fans, it was apparent these guys have a devout following already. But I fear many people may dismiss them for their crazy antics before actually giving a listen to what they’re all about. The band’s newest release, Life Fantastic, may just be the thing that tips the scales in their favor. It’s got a smoother feel than their previous albums, and plays more on the slower side at times, but is still rife with quirky touches that show the band has not lost what they were made famous by.

Honus Honus got the set rolling with a beautiful piano solo and his distinct, Tom Waits-esque vocals. The band, wearing all-black instead of their usual all-white, then joined in for a rolling rendition of “Hurly Burly” and the twinkling clap-along of “Piranhas Club.” Colors flashed as props such as a bicycle wheel were thrust into the sky, and Honus Honus wrapped himself with a glittering robe, very befitting a wizard. The tone of the songs shifted throughout the set, often venturing into Vaudevillian territory with tracks such as “Oh, La Brea.” This was a song showing the whimsical nature of the band at its best, with lyrics asking the tar pits if they were so scary because “there’s little creatures’ bones buried in your heart.”

Songs from each of the band’s albums were played, including a scattered version of my all-time favorite, “Top Drawer.” Fans were ecstatic and grateful throughout, offering Man Man heavy applause and cheering to keep them going – this paid off for them when the band came back for an encore and turned it into a loooongcore. I’m guessing it lasted 30 minutes, but the crowd never gave up on them. To wrap up the show, the band produced a cataclysmic explosion of sound, and it rightfully signaled the end to the wonderment of the night.

Life fantastic, indeed, Man Man - it might just be thanks to your awesomely infectious music.

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