The Pun

Man Bites God: Choking Hazard

By Bex Lee ⋅ May 5, 2006 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

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.