Uncle Monsterface

[11-14-2008]

On a cool November Friday night, Otto’s Shrunken Head became host to one of the geekiest things I’ve ever seen short of a Con of some sort. Surrounded by fruity drinks, bamboo, and ancient Land of the Lost episodes on a television, "sock puppet rock band" Uncle Monsterface take the stage.

Glancing around the room, I notice both a Dr. Horrible and a Homestarrunner shirt and know exactly what type of show this would be. The nerd — once shunned upon, this genus is now generally accepted in society. If Revenge of the Nerds taught us anything, it’s that nerds can win a rap battle using synthesizers and computer keyboards.

Blow up pool toys float over the crowd, knocking over drinks and hitting people in the head. Behind the band stands a six-foot tall blanket fort with windows and a projector showing music videos accompanying the songs. Each is a three-minute opus to Gary Gygax or video games. Mixing a hodgepodge of rock guitar riffs over synthesizer, it reminds me a lot of Atom and His Package.

Throughout the show, Uncle Monsterface would take breaks from using the sock puppets and appear from behind the fort as life-sized creatures dancing on stage. During "I’m Sorry (But Your Princess is in Another Castle)," an audience member blasted through World 1-1 of Super Mario Brothers, while the set was capped off with the most interesting rendition of Madonna’s "Like a Prayer" I’ve ever witnessed. Life hasn’t been the same since seeing a huge paper mache sock puppet writhe around on stage.

If you read Scott Pilgrim, play NES, or know the differences between the book and movie versions of Lord of the Rings, Uncle Monsterface is a band you won’t want to miss.