Man Bites God

Want a surefire way to have a lot of fun and make no money? Become a rock comedy/satire act. You'll be the darlings of the witty and the hip, but you'll end up poor with nothing more than great memories.

Think of the great comedy acts - the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, TISM and Alberto y los Trios Paranoias, whose masterpiece, Snuff Rock, concerned a rock star persuaded to commit suicide onstage. They all parodied the rock lifestyle without ever supping from its bowls of excess.

Now, out of Melbourne, comes a trio of talented young hopefuls calling themselves Man Bites God. They write songs that, at their best, are inspired pieces of wackiness and outrage.

Where else on the planet would you come across a song about a dentist who uses a patient's mouth as his cubby house (Cubby House), a deeply sacrilegious number that wonders about the Pope's sex life (The Pope Song) or a ditty about living with a ninja, as sung by Deborah Conway (Bride of the Dragon)? And all set to a sharp, jangly pop sound reminiscent of Britpop at its brightest.

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Guitarist James Hazelden met drummer Chris Tomkins at high school. Bassist Mark Woodward, so the story goes, was found in a box on the front doorstep - at the age of 17.

Hazelden says they formed "because we got sick of rock stars who take themselves way too seriously - the kind of rock stars who close their eyes and sing their really dumb lyrics really really seriously".

"We wanted to make good rock-pop music with lyrics that weren't horrible and condescending. I don't think we consider ourselves a comedy band."

Their first gig was at the Espy in St Kilda in 2000 where they were "discovered" by Dan Brodie. Last year they played the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where The Scotsman called them "endearing and harmonious ... lunatic lyrics and melodic absurdity works well".

This year they're releasing their first album, The Popular Alternative, a serious attempt to develop a fan base beyond Melbourne's inner-city scene. During their career they have evolved a strange sense of humour far removed from any kind of mainstream.

Take the lyrics to Cubby House: "Martin was a dentist who had low self-esteem/

Because the patient he was working on did nothing else but scream." Hazelden wrote the verse because he wanted to write a song, wait for it, from the viewpoint of a dentist.

Rock needs its court jesters to prick its pretentiousness. Conway, when she heard Man Bites God were not even talking to multinational labels, replied, "Good. That means you might actually make some money."

More information They play the University of Technology bar, city, on Wednesday, 1pm, free; the Friend in Hand, Glebe, on Thursday, 8pm, $6; and the Sandringham Hotel, Newtown, on September 9, 8pm, $6 - By Bruce Elder - Sydney Morning Herald

Want a surefire way to have a lot of fun and make no money? Become a rock comedy/satire act. You'll be the darlings of the witty and the hip, but you'll end up poor with nothing more than great memories.

Think of the great comedy acts - the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, TISM and Alberto y los Trios Paranoias, whose masterpiece, Snuff Rock, concerned a rock star persuaded to commit suicide onstage. They all parodied the rock lifestyle without ever supping from its bowls of excess.

Now, out of Melbourne, comes a trio of talented young hopefuls calling themselves Man Bites God. They write songs that, at their best, are inspired pieces of wackiness and outrage.

Where else on the planet would you come across a song about a dentist who uses a patient's mouth as his cubby house (Cubby House), a deeply sacrilegious number that wonders about the Pope's sex life (The Pope Song) or a ditty about living with a ninja, as sung by Deborah Conway (Bride of the Dragon)? And all set to a sharp, jangly pop sound reminiscent of Britpop at its brightest.

Advertisement

Advertisement
Guitarist James Hazelden met drummer Chris Tomkins at high school. Bassist Mark Woodward, so the story goes, was found in a box on the front doorstep - at the age of 17.

Hazelden says they formed "because we got sick of rock stars who take themselves way too seriously - the kind of rock stars who close their eyes and sing their really dumb lyrics really really seriously".

"We wanted to make good rock-pop music with lyrics that weren't horrible and condescending. I don't think we consider ourselves a comedy band."

Their first gig was at the Espy in St Kilda in 2000 where they were "discovered" by Dan Brodie. Last year they played the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where The Scotsman called them "endearing and harmonious ... lunatic lyrics and melodic absurdity works well".

This year they're releasing their first album, The Popular Alternative, a serious attempt to develop a fan base beyond Melbourne's inner-city scene. During their career they have evolved a strange sense of humour far removed from any kind of mainstream.

Take the lyrics to Cubby House: "Martin was a dentist who had low self-esteem/

Because the patient he was working on did nothing else but scream." Hazelden wrote the verse because he wanted to write a song, wait for it, from the viewpoint of a dentist.

Rock needs its court jesters to prick its pretentiousness. Conway, when she heard Man Bites God were not even talking to multinational labels, replied, "Good. That means you might actually make some money."

More information They play the University of Technology bar, city, on Wednesday, 1pm, free; the Friend in Hand, Glebe, on Thursday, 8pm, $6; and the Sandringham Hotel, Newtown, on September 9, 8pm, $6 - MAG ONLINE

“an explosion of garage-band rock, synth pop and complete absurdity” – Beat Magazine

”throws together elements of punk, electronica, rock and pop to create a fast-moving, action-packed longplayer as rockin’ as it is absurd.” - Inpress - Various

Man Bites God hold a unique position in Australia. In the comedy world they are seen as Musical Comedians, even though they are the first to admit that there are many others that are far more comedic than they are. In the Music Industry they are seen as a talented band that happen to write some pretty funny songs. This ability to exist in either world is how they can produce an album such as The Popular Alternative, that will have you tapping your feet as well as laughing your head off.

The CD kicks off with the tune Rock ‘n’ Roll Lifestyle where the boys, with their tongues firmly in their cheeks, lament the hardships of being a Rock Star. This funky little number makes you want to dance.

Despite the very graphic nature of the first two absurd verses, Cubby House is a beautiful song that explores the concept of the Cubby as a place of safety and comfort. This song features a piano arrangement that just screams “delightful”. Just when you think it can’t get more adorable, the closing chorus is sung by a children’s choir. It makes you want to relive your childhood!

Next up is the token single Bride of the Dragon (which has a brilliant animated video that has been shown on Rage). While this song is great when performed live with James handling vocal duties, this version is awesome with it’s additional instrumentation and the female voice of Deborah Conway. Deborah is so good at selling the song that you could easily believe that she actually is the frustrated wife of a Ninja.

God Bless the Dancing Girls is interesting in that it explores the possibly sad and lonely world of a Strip Club / Peep Show patron, yet manages to celebrate this lifestyle at the same time. It also gets bonus points for possibly being the only song that makes use of the word “ecdysiast”.

Beginning as a fairly straightforward tune with a bit of suggestiveness thrown in, The Pope Song poses the question of, beneath the robes is the Pope just a regular guy? The song soon veers off into very wrong territory with the introduction of some pretty confronting Homo Erotic material in the closing moments, all performed as a rap. This song along with Hymn (another religious number containing full on sexual innuendo and plenty of Blasphemy) are the ones most likely to push the buttons of devout Christians, whom the boys seem to take pleasure in offending at every chance they get.

Work Experience Boy tells the tale of most people’s initiation into the workforce in all it’s horrific glory. The humour in this tune is very much of the school of thought that “it’s funny because it is so true”.

A long time favourite in their live set, The War March is just like the title suggests with hilarious lyrics that are seen through the eyes of a clearly delusional Army Reservist. Mark’s recorder gets a workout in this song with renditions of some recognizable war ditties.

Funny Guy is a fairly sad song that about a poor fellow’s attempts to impress the object of his affection with humour that goes awry. Next comes Solar Flares, the wacky song of the album that’s about a girl and her hazardous apparel. With its’ many astronomical references and a catchy snare drum beat, it sounds like a mixture of They Might Be Giants and the Lucksmiths.

The final listed track on the album is Win At All Costs, MBG’s tongue in cheek Commonwealth Games anthem. It combines a scathing commentary about Australian Society’s obsession with sports with plenty of mangled sporting references to form a brilliantly funny song.

A not-so-hidden bonus track rounds out the CD. This un-named song is a extremely clever tune (featuring the sweet vocals of Nicko) that makes the Bonus Song a living entity. The song compares itself to other songs and pleads to be taken seriously, before raining abuse upon the apathetic listener.

Man Bites God have the musical chops to create brilliant tunes that are far from the One Joke songs that others are prone to produce. Each tune is packed full of humourous content that can keep you on your toes for the duration of the song. A constant shifting of musical styles which some may find a little schizophrenic, makes sure that the listener is never bored. This is a worthy addition to anyone’s CD collection.

Colin Flaherty
The Groggy Squirrel - Groggy Squirrel Australia

The self titled album, from the band of the same name, encapsulates everything you loved and hated about spelling bees, trailer parks, showers and awkward phone calls.

The first album from the Melbourne based Man Bites God trio, or conglomerate of artists, is a stellar moment in the display of range and musical talent. Songs regarding killer bees, strap-on sex, sheet steel plating and mashed potatoes are all highlights of this marvellously recorded stereo album.

The intelligent use of complex conceptual subject matter can be witnessed in songs such as track 5, Justice wears a skirt wherein a mild mannered accountant by day changes into the crime fighting cross dressing superhero 'Lady-Man' by night. Other challenging rubiks-cube style mystery songs are evident in the deep, dark Better Gnomes and Gardens which empowers the forlorn folklorish downtrodden Gnome to fight back against the overbearing capitalist establishment of which he is helplessly a victim. In my mind, there are just not enough songs about devilishly angry Gnomes anymore. A highlight...

In contrast, the light and toned consumer anthem Sponsorship judges the mass market industrial mall complex with much ironic disdain. This song is also highlighted by the use of voice samples from the legendary Denzil Houson. Another figure of great value is ex-triffid Rob McComb, on track 9.

A valuable album - perhaps more songs about plate steel or alloy sheeting could make it better. Still, an excellent and exciting recording.

- The Program - Australia

Man Bites God are the pinnacle of a twisted sense of humour. A sense of humour unnoted in a bio leaning more towards lines pointing out the musicianship of the band. Their musicianship is far from the best part of this release, despite a cacophony of instruments making appearances. Rather this album's strongpoint is of course the humour. It's funny as hell. The album opens with 'Shapeshifter', about a woman chameleon a shapeshifter if you will (who incidentally could even be a moment of abstract thought think about it!). Sponsorship' gives much overdue shit to corporate musicians. "This song's got sponsorship, this song's got sponsorship!" before leaping into the less political 'My Shower Curtain' ("My shower curtain/thinks it's a person"). Pathetique' features actor Bob Franklin (of Bad Eggs fame) being, well, hilariously pathetique, but twisted humour peaks when 'Anywhere' is summed up with the line "She let's me put it anywhere" (a line later overshadowed in that very song, but we're a G rated website!) Australian comedy, as most Australians would know, is very much a hit and miss situation that lately has had the misfortune to be more miss than hit. Then Man Bites God came along and hit enough to make up for everyone else. Hilarious! - Undercover Media, Cocacola Music Guide

"endearing and harmonious... lunatic lyrics and melodic absurdity works well and will undoubtedly give rise to other acts singing from the same hymn sheet... covering a range of styles from barbershop through rock, folk and funk, the songs would have Spinal Tap in a spin... these Melbourne lads can play with more talent than many chart toppers." - The Scotsman