The Star Tribune was at the Moon Maan debut.

MOON MAAN LANDS

This year’s award for best use of a theramin in a rock gig goes to Rick McCollum, whose new band Moon Maan made its local debut last Friday at the 400 Bar. Throughout the show, the former Afghan Whigs guitarist interlaced his six-string with the electric-whirring instrument (see: “Good Vibrations”). That was hardly all that was interesting about the set, though.

While his singing is only passable, McCollum is still wicked as ever on guitar. His gritty-sounding band — which includes drummer Erik Mathison (Polara) and second guitarist Bryan Knisley (Push on Junior) — allows for some explosive, MC5-style sonic experimentation. One especially harrowing song, “Feed the Meth Man,” gave me chills. Moon Maan has a couple more live dates, including May 8 at the Uptown Bar & Grill, before returning to the studio to finish its album, “Elves and Devils.”

You can catch Moon Maan tonight in St. Paul.