There’s No Crying In The Midgetmen: Ten Years Later, and Still Daring To Be Stupid
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Oh, where to begin with The Midgetmen? At the beginning, of course. But fair warning, sensitive types: This interview is not for the faint of heart, or the individual lacking a sense of humor. And this is just the edited version.
Who knew the loud, lunatic “slop-punk” quartet would still be around after ten years of terrorizing the locals and all the unsuspecting folks they’ve met on tour? The Midgetmen certainly didn’t see it coming. They’re just as surprised as the next slack-jawed onlooker trying to figure out what planet they’re from. But it’s really not so complicated, and in their opinion, it’s cause for a celebration. Tonight, they proudly present to their fans The Midgetmen’s 10th Anniversorry Party (that’s no typo – “Anniversorry” denotes a devious, tongue-in-cheek awareness of certain levels of disdain toward their music by haters). The guys will indulge the crowds with fan favorites, and pay ultimate tribute to the geek of geeks, the weirdest of the weird, Weird Al Yankovic.
Guitarist Jon Loyens, bassist Marc Perlman and drummer Justin Petro met up with me recently at their rehearsal space (guitarist Alex Victoria escaped in the nick of time to run errands or something) to share stories about their first gig, why it is they do what they do, and why they wouldn’t wanna be Aerosmith. Or…Bret Michaels, for that matter. But a reality show would be nice.
And, of course, there was smack-talking a-plenty throughout the conversation, including the inspiration for the title of this interview, after the gents declared that there was “no crying in The Midgetmen.” “From A League of Their Own?” said Loyens. “You just may have coined the band’s new slogan!”
“And to be fair, Tom Hanks was a drunk in the movie,” added Perlman, with trademark evil grin.
Don’t miss out on the fun tonight at the Mohawk, 912 Red River. Doors open early at 6:30 p.m., because there are a lot of great bands playing the party: BOY, The Sour Notes, La Snacks, La Migra, and The Pons on the outdoor stage; The Misguided Lemming, Shivery Shakes, The Gary, The Mole People, Treaty Oak, and Teen Noir on the indoor stage, and DJ Richard Henry spinning between sets. The Midgetmen will follow their own outdoor set with a live performance of the 11-track Dare To Be Stupid album by Weird Al, in its entirety, on the inside stage.
Here’s to many more years of unrestrained ridiculousness, guys.
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