Sure enough, Playboy Manbaby was encased in a throng of people by the time I hit Conspire. Vocalist Robbie Pfeffer was circling the cage formed by the encroaching crowd. Playboy Manbaby is a crowd unto itself with six impressive players composing the group: Barry Hazen of Kid Sasmpson and the Muddy Moneys on guitar and mandolin, Chris Hudson plays bass and ukulele, David Cosme on trumpet and tuba, Steven Potter on the famed accordion and keys, and drummer Anthony Thrailkill.
Despite the eclectic assortment of instruments more commonly associated with rocknroll and genres outside of traditional rap, Playboy Manbaby does not make rock rap. They might harbor a mean streak of nerd rap (see accordion) which just adds to the overall charm. Sorta like pre-Elephant Eyelash Why? which held more to hiphop than in their later albums.
Robbie, however, is a little more lively and interactive onstage than Yoni. He was a little toned down for the Conspire show given the variety of folk that attend the event. I’m never quite sure what to expect from Mr. Pfeffer. He could have his back to the crowd while yelling his lyrics at the microphone or he could show up in drag to perform Top 40 hits (re-lyric-ed, of course).
The First Friday preview of the band was soon to be followed by their favorite format for playing: a house party. Playboy Manbaby is completely against segregation in all forms and, as such, prefers shows that can be attended by people of all ages, drinking age or otherwise.
They also like the feel of a crowd. Robbie’s theory as explained in a recent interview is “Let’s get people stuffed into the smallest place possible.” On the downside of the house party circuit is the possibility that the party might get broken up before the show is over… or even begun.
We expect to see lots of great things from Playboy Manbaby so get out to a show as soon as possible.
