Mel Gibson & the Pants

MG and the Pants established themselves in the Minneapolis music scene with the release of their debut album, 2004's "a mannequin american." Since then, they've gathered a wide audience of music fans and artists alike. Their 2005 follow-up,"w/guitar" had them collaborating with some of the areas best rappers and musicians, including P.O.S., Eyedea, Sims, Mike Lewis, Travis Bos of Chariots and many others. MG has played shows everywhere from some kids high school graduation party in Eau Claire, WI, to the Knitting Factory in New York, NY.

Equal parts underground hip-hop and electronic rock band, Mel Gibson and the Pants are rarely as hilarious as their name might imply. Instead, the band's sound is defined by an unusual combination of aggressive bass lines, cinematic keyboard sequences, and epic guitar riffs, supported by both live and electronic beats. Rapper Harold Sanders Jr. occupies the accessory nearly as often as he does the primary role, weaving rhymes in and out of the thick web woven by his five-piece band.