Mr. Serious

More than just a document of one of the most compelling, unique songwriters and performers to emerge from Minneapolis, Mr. Serious synthesizes the manic energy and reflective songcraft that define Mark Mallman. His constantly-evolving musical persona currently plays like the progeny of Joe Cocker and Freddie Mercury as a southern Baptist preaching the gospel of rock'n'roll via renditions of Hedwig and the Angry Inch show tunes. After starting out in the Stonesy trash punk combo The Odd, Mallman released a solo CD and soon became known as the Twin Cities' premier keyboard wild man, kicking and smashing vintage keyboards, dislocating a shoulder and breaking fingers.

The costumes and punk aesthetic virtually vanished when Mallman transformed into a piano showman recalling in equal parts Elton John, James Brown, Lenny Bruce and David Lynch. His third full-length, The Red Bedroom, was named the #2 record of 2002 on the Minneapolis Star Tribune's year end critics' poll. Mallman's Milwaukee and Chicago strong fanbases have been building steadily and spreading nationally, as he has opened for a wide range of acts including Beth Orton, Everlast, Cat Power, The Barenaked Ladies, and others.