Here�s how to write an article on Man Or Astro-man?(MOAM):

You must use the words "wacky" and "quirky" at least seven times. Throw in lines like "Dick Dale meets the Ventures" or "B-movie soundtrack" when describing their music. The article must be riddled with bits about space and overly wordy descriptions that basically amount to, as the French would say, a pile of crap.

At least that's the conclusion that Brian Teasley, MOAM drummer, and I reach while discussing various interviews they've done. What started as a way to entertain oneself in a small college town in Alabama (i.e. create a band with ludicrous over the top themes) has become a vehicle for journalists to over compartmentalize and dissect. I feel slightly frightened talking with Brian considering that this is a band that once launched a counter attack on their journalists:

"We did a press kit once where I put in all our [press], corrected all the improper grammar and graded the reviews. Ninety percent of [what's written about us] is just crap anyway, yourself excluded, of course..." Brian laughs.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

So we cut the space bullshit and get down to business. After several years of consistent touring and a somewhat new album, Man Or Astro-man? is in an interesting time. Brian explains,

"Three years ago we approached things differently. We were working toward something and now I'm liking the idea of getting back to the band. This year we're gonna do a lot of EPs, Internet-only stuff, a live album and we're gonna do stuff that doesn't make a lot of good sense."

Among the things that don't make a lot of good sense? Recording their own and other bands in their new studio in Atlanta.

"We've ruined so many of our own records that now it's time for us to ruin other people�s records." Brian jokes. "People will say 'Yeah, I recorded with those Man or Astro-man? guys and they fucked up my record!'"

From here the interview goes weird places (albeit none of which are spacy or interstellar).

When the idea of the possible (yet not impending) demise of the band is brought up, Brian vows that Man or Astro-man? will not be one of those bands that leave with a triumphant bang.

"I want the band to go down like a thirty ton ocean liner with a hole in it. I want to put out the worst music ever, make the worst career moves, have a beer belly, wear flip-flops and have really bad facial hair."

He also muses that the possible evolution of the band will be a change from the space theme to a more grass roots Southern theme.

"Yes, Man or Astro-hick? is the future of the band."

He then sarcastically tells me how to finish the article.

"Now, use a bunch of words like 'wacky sci-fi hotrodders'...that usually helps pad things out. If you need any extra information, feel free to just make it up. Then write the headline: 'The truth comes out: Man Or Astro-man? are really boring, nerdy homebodies!'"

Brian then asks me if I have any closing comments or anything to add. I really don't, after all, this is just another fluff piece on those wacky guys in Man or Astro-man?.