The multisonic experience of Hats and Statues

If you're looking to hear a new band, the Moon Bar on Berry Street consistently delivers. Owner Chris Maunder, co-founder of the upcoming Fort Worth Sings for Haiti benefit, has a strong commitment to the Fort Worth music scene, as illustrated each week by the bands that play his venue.

On March 6, the Whiskey Folk Ramblers brought a rockabilly-country sound -- with the addition of a lone horn and an accordion that lends a touch of Ennio Morricone. The band consists of Tyler Rougeux on vocals, Richard Lee Davenport on banjo, Trey Ownby on drums, Jack Daw Russell on bass, Patrick Adams on trumpet and Mark Moncrieff on violin.

But while the Whiskey Folk Ramblers are a solid, talented act, it was the opening band that stole the show.

I watched as Hats and Statues set up what seemed like an absurd assortment of instruments: The band consists of Mike Rusthoven on cello; John Warwick on guitar, harmonica, vocals and mandolin; Cole Denton on guitar, mandolin, trombone and vocals; Hunter Moehring on guitar, harmonica, vocals and mandolin; Dave Tessier on banjo and vocals; and Alex P. on accordion, drums and percussion. That's 14 instruments, for those keeping score at home.

"We just kind of picked up instruments that we used to know how to play in middle school and high school," Moehring said, "and then other weird instruments that we picked up in pawnshops. Anything that makes noise, we try to incorporate as quickly and as efficiently as possible to the music."

The start of the set had a smooth, '60s pop feel, with a subtle Beatles influence -- which inexplicably but thrillingly morphed into rough, John Lydon-style punk vocals. You got the impression that this is what the Violent Femmes would be like if they had a more endearing stage presence. (John Warwick chided the crowd for not coming closer to the stage, declaring: "We're just like Gwar, but we're pussies.")

In fact, Gwar was possibly the only genre I could not discern in this ambitious melting pot of a band.

Don't get me wrong, this was very good original music. But dissecting the musical DNA here was a bit like trying to pick up on all the references in a Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode. There were hints of the Pogues and even some Parliament Funkadelic. There was also Dixieland, bluegrass, punk, soul, funk and even some rockabilly. The in-song transitions between styles were smooth and melodic, and the number of instruments brought into service kept me guessing.

All told, it was some of the most creative local music I've ever heard.

The band recently finished its EP, recorded at a friend's home studio in Denton, and will be releasing it soon. (To hear Hats and Statues, go to www.myspace.com/hatsandstatues.) Next up is a gig Friday at the Prophet Bar in Dallas.

More about Whiskey Folk Ramblers at www.myspace.com/whiskeyfolkramblers.

Information on Fort Worth Sings for Haiti at www.fortworthsings.com.