Man Man<\/a>\u2019s tech rider must read like a sideshow\u2019s inventory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
• 6 sparkly purple capes<\/span><\/li>\n
• 5 bouquets of paper roses<\/span><\/li>\n
• 2 black boxing gloves<\/span><\/li>\n
• 4 sets of keys<\/span><\/li>\n
• 1 human skeleton (authenticity optional)<\/span><\/li>\n
• 2 white fur coats<\/span><\/li>\n
• 1 taxidermied deer head<\/span><\/li>\n
• 24 jumbo feathers, red<\/span><\/li>\n
• An assortment of hats<\/span><\/li>\n
• 1 signing plastic owl<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  That all or any of this could be incorporated into a performance without making it stink of student theater would be a minor miracle. Fortunately, Honus Honus and his band of merry pranksters are miracle men. It\u2019s been four years since Man Man played New York, and six since they released an album, 2013\u2019s <\/span>On Oni Pond<\/span><\/i>. In the meantime, it seems they\u2019ve done nothing but rehearse, write new music (they released the two-song single \u201c<\/span>Bleach<\/span><\/a>\u201d earlier this year), and perfect a stage show fit for a traveling circus cult.<\/span><\/p>\n

  Man Man played a generous 90-minute set at Brooklyn Bowl Tuesday night, but before the six-piece took to the stage, opening act <\/span>GRLwood<\/span><\/a> threatened to steal the show. The rowdy two-piece from Louisville, Kentucky peddle what they call \u201cSCREAM-POP,\u201d summoning a roar with only drums, guitar, and vocals. Singer\/guitarist Reg Forester has a shriek that could shred paper, and the wit to match. Forester and percussionist Karen Ledford gave brief, droll introductions to their songs, which included \u201cI Hate My Mom,\u201d \u201cWet,\u201d \u201cBisexual,\u201d \u201cNice Guy,\u201d and \u201cI\u2019m Yer Dad.\u201d The latter two tracks were the best, addressing abusive men of different stripes (overtly machismo vs. inconspicuous predators) with incisive humor. Both songs included improvised rants about everything from pizza rolls to Facebook stalking that are sadly absent from GRLwood\u2019s 2018 LP <\/span>Daddy<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

  Aside from their infectious energy and sly quips, one of the most intriguing things about GRLwood was Forester\u2019s double life as a singer; one minute, she\u2019d be tearing her vocal chords to meat scraps, and the next, piercing the ceiling with a pristine falsetto that inched toward the whistle register. You can\u2019t help but wonder if this self-described \u201cKentucky fried queerdo\u201d has a secret history singing\u00a0 in church choirs.<\/span><\/p>\n