Review Show
MAN BITES GOD - CHOKING HAZARD
05/05/06
Man
Bites God occupy
a weird place in the musical comedy spectrum. The
music here isn’t just for comedic effect, so it’s
probably more appropriate to call them funny
musicians rather than musical comedians. These guys
are writing songs, and they just happen to be a bit
funnier than the norm. They’re the sort of band that
for the most part wouldn’t be out of place on a bill
with The Lucksmiths or Ruck Rover or any of the many
light-hearted and pun-heavy Australian folk pop
groups that dot the inner northern suburbs of
Melbourne.
Pony is a bit of a shock as a venue after the relative cleanness of the rooms in the hub and at duckboard and trades hall. Pony is a bit of a dive. On the upside, the bar is right there if you want a drink during the show, but the fact that people could smoke there was really annoying. It’s also a fair hike from the town hall hub, but on a Wednesday night it’s not too hard to find a car park in that part of town.
The set consisted almost of entirely new material (or it was new to me at least), and though the tracks were a bit hit and miss, you could always just enjoy the music if the humour fell flat. There were some absolute standout numbers, including a brilliant “socially aware calypso tribute” to lollipop ladies, complete with guest vocalist. I was also quite fond of their closing acapella number and their song about having parents that wanted to have a girl. The between song banter was reminiscent of Tripod, with the performers put each other down in a humourous manner. This was a lot of fun to watch, and was a quick and simple way to get to know the characters of the band.
Man Bites God have also provided us with arguably the cutest poster of the festival – The three boys in the form of Lego men. Cashing in on this cuteness factor, you can pick up badges of each Lego figure for $2 a pop. Some good jokes were had over the use of this merchandise as a popularity contest. Pick one up for your favourite indie badge wearer.
There’s a lot to like here, and it’s all really accessible. The songs are catchy and for the most part they don’t drag out the joke too long. The mixing was good enough to make sure you could always hear the vocals above the music. If you’re up for some mid-week fun to give you a break from the standup, you won’t go wrong here. There’s only one show left in the festival (Wednesday May 3rd – this is only a two show run), but the boys play quite a few shows all year round, so catch them when you can.
The Groggy Squirrel
Daniel Sheppard
Pony is a bit of a shock as a venue after the relative cleanness of the rooms in the hub and at duckboard and trades hall. Pony is a bit of a dive. On the upside, the bar is right there if you want a drink during the show, but the fact that people could smoke there was really annoying. It’s also a fair hike from the town hall hub, but on a Wednesday night it’s not too hard to find a car park in that part of town.
The set consisted almost of entirely new material (or it was new to me at least), and though the tracks were a bit hit and miss, you could always just enjoy the music if the humour fell flat. There were some absolute standout numbers, including a brilliant “socially aware calypso tribute” to lollipop ladies, complete with guest vocalist. I was also quite fond of their closing acapella number and their song about having parents that wanted to have a girl. The between song banter was reminiscent of Tripod, with the performers put each other down in a humourous manner. This was a lot of fun to watch, and was a quick and simple way to get to know the characters of the band.
Man Bites God have also provided us with arguably the cutest poster of the festival – The three boys in the form of Lego men. Cashing in on this cuteness factor, you can pick up badges of each Lego figure for $2 a pop. Some good jokes were had over the use of this merchandise as a popularity contest. Pick one up for your favourite indie badge wearer.
There’s a lot to like here, and it’s all really accessible. The songs are catchy and for the most part they don’t drag out the joke too long. The mixing was good enough to make sure you could always hear the vocals above the music. If you’re up for some mid-week fun to give you a break from the standup, you won’t go wrong here. There’s only one show left in the festival (Wednesday May 3rd – this is only a two show run), but the boys play quite a few shows all year round, so catch them when you can.
The Groggy Squirrel
Daniel Sheppard
MAN BITES GOD: CHOKING HAZARD
05/05/06
Inadvertently
funny and deliberately offensive, this Melbourne
based trio is the alternative punter’s Tripod. Don’t
be fooled by their clean-cut appearance’ Man Bite God
are filthy musicians masquerading as melodious nice
boys. They put the ‘blue’ in the Blues and
triple-handedly turn delightful music into delinquent
muck. But it works. It’s giggle-worthy for loyal and
virgin punters alike. As a first time viewer, I was
quietly impressed by their vocal talent and musical
versatility.
Each member of Man Bites God takes a solo turn, and the instrument of choice ranges from a comical slide whistle to an Indian bongo set. They also run the gamut of musical genres, teaming highly suspect lyrics with pop rock and gospel blues. Imagine an ode to beer sung a cappella style, or a love ballad that opens with the romantic words: ‘She was lubricated…’
It’s an entertaining set with lollipop ladies being reduced to alcoholic whores and ex-girlfriends being punched in the face. Watch frontman and funnyman James confuse his stage for a soapbox, dragging cricket and punk into a show that has no room for the verbal rant of one. Then watch him fluff his marketing pitch and tell you he has ‘CDs and stiff’ for sale after the show. It’s all grin-worthy.
Performing under red wash at Pony’an intimate, upstairs bar that feels more like a basement under construction, Man Bites God are worth a look.
The Pun
Bex Lee
Each member of Man Bites God takes a solo turn, and the instrument of choice ranges from a comical slide whistle to an Indian bongo set. They also run the gamut of musical genres, teaming highly suspect lyrics with pop rock and gospel blues. Imagine an ode to beer sung a cappella style, or a love ballad that opens with the romantic words: ‘She was lubricated…’
It’s an entertaining set with lollipop ladies being reduced to alcoholic whores and ex-girlfriends being punched in the face. Watch frontman and funnyman James confuse his stage for a soapbox, dragging cricket and punk into a show that has no room for the verbal rant of one. Then watch him fluff his marketing pitch and tell you he has ‘CDs and stiff’ for sale after the show. It’s all grin-worthy.
Performing under red wash at Pony’an intimate, upstairs bar that feels more like a basement under construction, Man Bites God are worth a look.
The Pun
Bex Lee
MAN BITES GOD
20/04/02
Dark,
brooding and utterly hilarious, Man Bites God is one
of the satirical highlights of the 2002 festival.
Having played to sell out crowds during last year's
festival, Man Bites Dog (sic) returns with with a
collection of new songs, brilliant banter and pitch
black comedy. Terrible threesome Chris Tomkins, James
Hazelden and Mark Woodward draw from various musical,
comedy and performance experiences to bring to this
year's line up something for those chasing cheap gags
something to think about.
Inpress
Inpress
MAN BITES GOD
20/04/02
Man
Bites God present Bite Sized, a collection of new
comedy songs and hilarious banter, theatrically
blended together into 55 minutes of jet-black comedy
- death, sex, violence, love - all your favourites.
Man Bites God is made up of Chris Tomkins, James
Hazelden and Mark Woodward, all experienced comedy
performers who have built an impressive fan base over
a short period of time as Man Bites God.
Beat Magazine
Beat Magazine
ON A MISSION FROM DOG
08/04/02
The
Man Bites God squad of Chris Tomkins, James Hazelden
and Mark Woodward dresses in dark suits and ties, and
white shirts, seeming to follow the fashions of the
Blues Brothers and the Doug Anthony All Stars.
But their music is a smorgasbord of styles and has lyrics that lurk in dark, satirical places. For example, beer, toilets, witch-burning, sleaze, playing a recorder, establishing your own cult, how to chat up women at an over-50s singles night and Mexico are covered in just under an hour.
While we ricochet around the world and around human nature, we are also taken away by their wacky lyrics.
One is assured of a good laugh during these intellectually crafted songs, which are supported, at various times, by guitars, percussion, a toy piano accordion, a recorder, a megaphone and an ocarina.
Even the banter between numbers is good, light-hearted stuff.
Man Bites God packs an irreverent punch, and as the show starts in the early evening, it is a recommended entree.
The Age
Joel Crotty
But their music is a smorgasbord of styles and has lyrics that lurk in dark, satirical places. For example, beer, toilets, witch-burning, sleaze, playing a recorder, establishing your own cult, how to chat up women at an over-50s singles night and Mexico are covered in just under an hour.
While we ricochet around the world and around human nature, we are also taken away by their wacky lyrics.
One is assured of a good laugh during these intellectually crafted songs, which are supported, at various times, by guitars, percussion, a toy piano accordion, a recorder, a megaphone and an ocarina.
Even the banter between numbers is good, light-hearted stuff.
Man Bites God packs an irreverent punch, and as the show starts in the early evening, it is a recommended entree.
The Age
Joel Crotty
SINGALONG SATIRE BITES
01/04/01
The
vocalist/guitarist shook his head as he confessed to
the small, but appreciative, audience: "Ten years of
classical training only to be used to write songs
about farts."
He was too hard on himself. The versatile trio Man Bites God extend their musical repertoire way beyond songs about bodily functions alone.
Gnomes with chainsaws and teaching the elderly to yodel are among the more bizarre concepts raised during their gig at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
The band is also prepared to offer some politically incorrect advice in tunes such as Don't Befriend the Fat Boy if you're a Pretty Girl, and showed a romantic side in Inappropriate Touching.
It is apparent from the opening of the one-hour set this is no place for the faint-hearted. Their material tackles sex, violence and death full-on - much to the amusement of the audience.
Although the music alone kept the crowd entertained, it was the witty banter between songs that showed the trio's comic ability.
They bounced barbs off each other effectively, though their delivery was not always completely confident. The same could be said of their singing, which at times was not clearly audible.
Despite these minor faults it was clear the band was well received.
Herald Sun
Kylie Skotinicki
He was too hard on himself. The versatile trio Man Bites God extend their musical repertoire way beyond songs about bodily functions alone.
Gnomes with chainsaws and teaching the elderly to yodel are among the more bizarre concepts raised during their gig at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
The band is also prepared to offer some politically incorrect advice in tunes such as Don't Befriend the Fat Boy if you're a Pretty Girl, and showed a romantic side in Inappropriate Touching.
It is apparent from the opening of the one-hour set this is no place for the faint-hearted. Their material tackles sex, violence and death full-on - much to the amusement of the audience.
Although the music alone kept the crowd entertained, it was the witty banter between songs that showed the trio's comic ability.
They bounced barbs off each other effectively, though their delivery was not always completely confident. The same could be said of their singing, which at times was not clearly audible.
Despite these minor faults it was clear the band was well received.
Herald Sun
Kylie Skotinicki