Job classifications in rock ‘n’ roll can be so limiting. Frontman. Guitarist. Bassman. Drummer. Maybe a keys player or a percussionist.
And while it’s great that cellos and accordions and such are showing up more and more in rock music, the Two Man Gentlemen Band has one leg up on its peers. Frontman Andy Bean not only sings and plays the banjo, but he’s also the band’s lead kazooist.
His bandmate, Fuller Condon, sings backup while also managing the upright bass and the tenor kazoo.
These are gentlemen indeed.
This old-timey band from Long Island, N.Y., which plays nine shows in Colorado over the next two weeks, specializes in anachronistic ditties about their love of history and their history of love.
“The War of Northern Aggression” is a particularly winning song that name-drops Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee while talking about “secession” and the Mason-Dixon Line as metaphors for a struggling relationship. “Honey, you’re shooting cannonballs at my heart.” And cue the kazoo duet.
We caught up with Bean to talk about his music, his fondness of history and his draw to playing small towns while touring.
Q. You released a record called “Great Calamities.” What is the greatest of calamities that you all have experienced?
A. We performed at a tavern recently that ran out of bourbon during our show. This seemed incredibly calamitous at the time. As for great calamities from history, we’ve always been partial to the Hindenburg disaster. A giant balloon full of flammable gas seems to us a fine recipe for tragedy.
Q. What instruments are an everyday part of your live shows?
A. On stage, we perform with four-string banjo, upright bass, two kazoos, foot percussion, two novelty horns, one cowbell, a cymbal and a triangle. Plus, thanks to our generous sponsor, , we distribute free kazoos at every one of our shows. So we are typically accompanied by a symphony of a few dozen amateur kazooists.
Q. Do you ever find the whole banjo-bass-kazoo thing limiting?
A. It is a challenge. But we pride ourselves on our ability to rustle up a musical racket that rivals most trios and quartets.
Q. One of your lyrics from “The War of Northern Aggression” goes like this: “I was thinkin’ ’bout Abraham Lincoln.” Were you really? Would you consider yourself a history geek?
A. Indeed! Though, we prefer the term “history enthusiast.” We are not ashamed to let our considerable erudition shine through in our music.
Q. And so what’s your favorite period from American history?
A. We have a fondness for the clothing and music of the 1920s. But, on account of the unfortunate 18th Amendment [which ushered in Prohibition], we wouldn’t have wanted to live back then.
Q. Along those same lines, what inspired you to sit down and write a song about William Howard Taft?
A. In our opinion, any president who commissions a custom, extra-large bathtub is worthy of musical tribute. Plus, Taft rhymes with bath (sort of) which makes him easy to sing about.
Q. Who’s your favorite U.S. president?
A. As a native of New Hampshire, I’m compelled to choose Franklin Pierce, the first and only president from the Granite State. This is despite his well-deserved reputation as one of our worst presidents, and the fact that he spent his later years wandering the streets of Concord, N.H., drunk.
Q. You’re playing nine dates in Colorado in nine days. What do you like best about playing tiny towns such as Del Norte and Paonia?
A. The smaller the city, the greater the likelihood that we’ll be the only act in town handing out free kazoos on a given night.
Ricardo Baca: 303-954-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com
Two Man Gentlemen Band
Old-time music. Playing nine shows in Colorado over the next few weeks, including: Dolores River Brewery, Dolores Tuesday. Wildwood Sounds House Concert, Del Norte Wednesday. Steve’s Guitars, Carbondale Thursday. The Paradise Theater, Paonia April 18. Bongo Billy’s Cafe, Salida April 19. Avogadro’s Number, Fort Collins April 20. “Live @ Lunch on KRFC,” Fort Collins April 21. Dulcinea’s 100th Monkey, Denver April 23. Oskar Blues, Lyons April 24. More info:
