Meet the Band / Bag of Humans

FYI: pop culture news

Hometown: Baltimore

Current members are: Nicholas Lee, vocals, guitar, keyboards, samples; Jim Russell, guitar, synthesizer; Rob Parrish, drums, percussion; Mike vonBank; vocals, saxophone; Jon Carroll, bass.

Founded in: 1997

Style: Experimental punk

Influenced by: The Residents, Ornette Coleman, Slayer

Notable: The band's self-titled debut record comes out tomorrow. It's been in the works for a year and a half and considerable attention was paid to the artwork the accompanying CD booklet.

Quotable: Lee on the band's name: "It is about live humans being in a bag not being able to breathe. It is kind of like an analogy for the world. It came from being at the bottom of the dog pile, trying to make your way up."

Check out Bag of Humans tomorrow at the Ottobar. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7 for people over 21 years old and $9 for under 21. The Ottobar is at 2549 N. Howard St. For more information, call 410-662-0069 or visit www.theot tobar.com.

For information about Bag of Humans, visit www.bagofhumans.com.

-- Annie Linskey

To see the archive of profiled artists, visit www.baltimoresun.com / meettheband.