c. anderson

So if you were lucky enough to get through the line in time for the second band of F Yeah Fest at the Echoplex, you probably had a “who the hell is this?” moment. Your eyes were still adjusting to the light and you couldn’t check out your cheat sheet, so instead you took in the commotion that is the Mannequin Men. Kevin Richard, lead singer/guitarist—of sorts; they all seem to lead different parts of different songs—bounces around the stage singing into whichever mic happens to cross his path. “Boys” off their record Fresh Rot, blasted out infectious insanity for the Fest’s early birds. Plenty of noise, plenty of chorus screams and a mix of Talking Heads, Television, and good ol’ garage slammed together with their own recipe for who-gives-a-shit rock. By the time this Chicago band hit the crowd with the awesome track “Private School,” it was obvious the short set times were depriving us of more from a great live act. Bassist Miles Raymer said, “This was our first ever L.A. show—we had a blast and will be back.” Don’t miss them when they return!

—E. Ehlert