Man Man played here Sunday night at Richard's and to no surprise every one left with big stupid smiles and utterly exhausted senses. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a band more dedicated to entertaining their audience. Their very stage presence is a theatre production in itself and would be amazing coming from a less talented band. Now, when it's five members who each offer something completely essential to the whole and can each handle three different instruments (sometimes simultaneously) you kind of have to keep reminding yourself to calm down so you don't shit your britches.

I had the pleasure of catching up with front man(man) Honus Honus via the internet in the midst of their spring tour.

ChalkedUp: Is it worth all the border hassle to come to Canada? Thanks for coming by, the way.

HONUS HONUS: We love playing Canada even though it does tend to be a little stressful at the border crossings. U.S. customs always has a hard time dealing with our appearances and although I don't think we look all that shady I suppose that sounds like shade talking. Whatever. Bring on the cheese curd and gravy and we'll deal with border guns.

CU:I read a record review of Six Demon Bag from Tiny Mix Tapes and the author called into question Man Man's authenticity. "Man Man aren't a flock of miscreants; they're a bunch of kids who love to play dress-up." There's no doubt that you guys put a lot of effort into your performance and the style is deliberate, but how do you respond to an accusation like that? Is Man Man just an intelligently stylized stage show or is there something personal at stake?

HH: Tiny Mix Tapes said that? I should forward that review to my mother. For all intents and purposes, she still thinks I'm a miscreant.

CU: What's your stance on artistic criticism? Does it serve a purpose?

HH: Sure. As long as it's not too poetic. Poetry and the golden crested ship upon which it sails traffic in dangerous waters. Sigh.

CU:Would you rather live in a world that was purely romantic or purely logical? Keep in mind that in this logical world there would be no violence, hate, religion, or exploitation of any kind. In the romantic world, there would be all those things, but there would be passion and people would love fiercely.

HH: I don't know if I could survive in a logical world but I'm not too certain I'm fairing that well in a romantic one. I'd have to opt for the latter even though it breaks my heart to say it.

CU:When was the last time you got in a fist fight?

HH: Hmmm. It's been awhile but I think it was with a pile of garbage on the street. I won.

CU:From the pictures I saw, The Shape Shoppe looks like a pretty welcoming place to record. How was the experience? What was the significance of recording there-- ie: why a venue in Chicago and not a studio in Philly?

HH: Griffen (Blue Hawaii from Icy Demons/Bablicon) has been recording Pow Pow's drums for years, knows how we function as a band, works with an analog tape set-up, and has access to some amazing vintage microphones and gear. He's also a very cool dude and tall so...it was a no brainer. Chicago in February is very cold though. Very. The Shape Shoppe isn't completely freezing but it's still a warehouse space in Chicago, in February. Since we slept in the studio for two weeks, I broke down and bought a camping cot. I couldn't sleep on a floor for two weeks. Also, a minor set back was that the building's elevator was being rebuilt so we had to load our gear up and down five flights of stairs. You've seen how much gear we have. It was very punishing. It was a very focused session though and although we put in twelve hour days we didn't finish things. We'll have to go back to the cave after our touring schedule ends. We're close though. Real close.

CU:Can you tell us what the new album's called? Or at least, tell us bit about it?

HH: "Making Delicate Love to My Baby's Mama's Mama's Mama " is totally not the title of our next album. Be clear on that. Still no album title yet. Working on it. Haven't had that "vision quest" dream yet that will speak the name of this album. This record is a natural progression from Six Demon Bag but we didn't try to replicate things.

Hopefully, supporters of our band will be surprised at some of the new tunes and the directions we're trying to explore. Or thoroughly disappointed. Ah, the extremes. We've got the three minute pop songs, the nine-minute murder ballad, the 25 minute jams. Be excited.

CU:I read on Myspace that you're tracking 20 or so songs for the new album. Will it be a double or are you gonna shave it down?

HH: No. Way. In. Hell. Will. There. Be. A. Double. Album. Period. You've seen our facial hair. We know how to shave.

CU:Are you in love with being on the road or does it get tedious?

HH: The road can be unforgiving. I think in a former life I was a heavily sinning man. I'm paying for it now. I threw out my back tonight before load in. Fuck. I'm getting old, man. Gotta go rinse out the old wooden teeth now. Peace.