Moon Maan, Food Team, Mark Mallman
@ The Turf Club

Moon Maan (the new local band led by fomer Afghan Whigs guitarist Rick McCollum) has slowly been building up their profile locally with scattered gigging, but all of that should change soon with the pending release of their debut album in early 2005. Those curious about what the combination of McCollum and local scene vets Bryan Knisley (guitars), Erik Mathison (drums) and Kate Clements (bass) sounds like need wait no longer—just get your ass on the information superhighway and shuffle over to MoonMaan.com where you can download four in-progress demos that show what the band’s been up to since their February 2004 formation. Those fond of the Whigs’ dark and soulful crunch should find plenty to love on cuts like “Even Up the Score.” Another man from a (semi) famous band starting afresh is also on the bill, although one could arguably be hard pressed to pick a less auspicious beginning band name than Food Team. I’m still eager to see what former 12Rods leader Ryan Olcott has up his sleeve with this new project. Closing out the night is everyone’s favorite local madman pianist Mark Mallman, making his return to the Turf Club stage for the first time since his completion of “Marathon 2” there a few months back (the longest song ever at 48 hours). Hopefully returning to the scene of his marathon-induced dementia will mean an even more crazed performance than usual. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. The Corner of University and Snelling Avenue, St. Paul. 651-647-0486. van Alstyne