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Mannequin Men

Who? Chicago-based troublemakers Mannequin Men — guitarist/vocalist Kevin Richard, guitarist Ethan D’Ercole, drummer Seth Bohn, and bassist Rick Berger — have been cultivating a manic, bloodied Windy City live legacy since forming in 2003. They dropped their first full length, Showbiz Witch, a fast and dirty bedroom debut, last year, but September 18th brings Fresh Rot, available via Chicago indie imprint Flameshovel.

What’s the Deal? Mannequin Men’s loose-limbed pizzazz brings to mind frequent tour mates the Black Lips; both acts’ wobbly rock’n’roll wavers between droopy-lid disinterest to all-hands-on-deck gang-vocal attack. But more often, frontman Kevin Richard’s detached verve comes off as a tight-pants swagger; “They try to tell me that I need to watch my libido / they try to tell me not to go out on a Saturday night,” he emotes, in his best Sexy Jagger, on “Private School.” Mannequin Men peak when they distill and focus; “Weekender,” built around a wistful, shaky riff, is a pure blast of reined in frenzy.

Fun Fact: Showbiz Witch was recorded at the band’s apartment-cum-studio over the course of one action packed day.

Now Hear This:
Mannequin Men – “The Boys” DOWNLOAD MP3

On the Web:
Mannequin Men at MySpace
mannequinmen.com

Talk: Will you pose with Mannequin Men?

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