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Honus Honus Balances Man Mans New Album Tour With a Role on AMCs The Vampire Lestat
On the road with a band that defies genre and on a set that breathes 1920s gothic vibes, Philadelphia’s own Honus Honus is pulling double duty. The 38‑year‑old frontman of Man Man is simultaneously promoting the group’s latest record, Carrot On Strings, while rocking the bass in AMC’s television adaptation of Anne Rice’s The Vampire Lestat.
Carrot On Strings hit streaming services on June 7, 2024 under Sub Pop Records, marking Man Man’s first new material in almost seven years since 2020’s Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In‑Between. In the band’s announcement the album is described as a continuation of its signature blend of experimental rock, krautrock rhythms, and theatrical flair.
The promotion is a North American tour that began late last year. Honus explained that the tour was postponed for two years because of personal circumstances and the economic uncertainty that followed the COVID‑19 pandemic. He said that touring with a five‑to‑six‑member van had become financially unsustainable, a reality he described as “the stark reality of how the economics of touring really fucked up everything.” The schedule includes a headline slot at the Family Hoedown festival in June and a set with Death Valley Girls at Underground Arts on July 23.
While the tour is underway, Honus is also working on The Vampire Lestat, a new AMC series that premiered in 2026. In the show he portrays Salamander, the bassist in the titular vampire’s goth‑rock band. Honus began the project as a music supervisor for the first season, a role that evolved into a writing position when he was invited to join the writers’ room. He added that the opportunity allowed him to write songs for the show and, after the season’s conclusion, audition for a small acting role.
His background in screenwriting—earned at the University of the Arts (UArts) in Philadelphia—has proven useful in both capacities. He recalled that the program was discontinued several years ago, a fact that surprised him when he learned it had been shut down. Despite the closure, he credits the education he received with shaping his approach to storytelling, whether on stage or on set.
Honus’s career trajectory mirrors the eclectic spirit of early‑2000s Philadelphia, which he describes as a hub for experimental and hard‑rock acts. He cited bands such as Need New Body and Make A Rising as part of that scene, noting that it offered a space for artists who “wanted to embrace experimental music” before mainstream tastes shifted back toward classic rock. He also recalled the surreal moment when the band’s cover was featured on the cover of City Paper’s “Band of the Year” issue, a highlight he described as both surreal and humorous.
The Man Man lineup has evolved over the years, but the core remains a collective of multi‑instrumentalists who share a curiosity for genre‑less music. Honus compares the band’s approach to that of Ween, noting that both groups resist fitting into a single musical category.
Beyond touring and acting, Honus has continued to broaden his creative output. He released a solo record under the name Honus Honus in 2024 and collaborated with the indie supergroup Mister Heavenly on projects in 2011 and 2017. His recent move to Brooklyn follows years in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, expanding his network within the independent music community.
The combination of touring, television work, and ongoing projects illustrates the multifaceted nature of contemporary music careers. As Man Man’s Carrot On Strings tour progresses, fans can expect to hear the band’s experimental sound live, while viewers of The Vampire Lestat will see Honus bring his stage presence to a new medium.
The next scheduled Man Man performance is on July 23 at Underground Arts, where the band will share the stage with Death Valley Girls. The tour schedule continues to expand through the summer, with additional dates announced on the band’s official website and social media channels.
The article’s information is drawn from the July 21, 2026 interview published by Philly Mag and corroborated by official releases from Sub Pop and AMC.
Carrot On Strings hit streaming services on June 7, 2024 under Sub Pop Records, marking Man Man’s first new material in almost seven years since 2020’s Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In‑Between. In the band’s announcement the album is described as a continuation of its signature blend of experimental rock, krautrock rhythms, and theatrical flair.
The promotion is a North American tour that began late last year. Honus explained that the tour was postponed for two years because of personal circumstances and the economic uncertainty that followed the COVID‑19 pandemic. He said that touring with a five‑to‑six‑member van had become financially unsustainable, a reality he described as “the stark reality of how the economics of touring really fucked up everything.” The schedule includes a headline slot at the Family Hoedown festival in June and a set with Death Valley Girls at Underground Arts on July 23.
While the tour is underway, Honus is also working on The Vampire Lestat, a new AMC series that premiered in 2026. In the show he portrays Salamander, the bassist in the titular vampire’s goth‑rock band. Honus began the project as a music supervisor for the first season, a role that evolved into a writing position when he was invited to join the writers’ room. He added that the opportunity allowed him to write songs for the show and, after the season’s conclusion, audition for a small acting role.
His background in screenwriting—earned at the University of the Arts (UArts) in Philadelphia—has proven useful in both capacities. He recalled that the program was discontinued several years ago, a fact that surprised him when he learned it had been shut down. Despite the closure, he credits the education he received with shaping his approach to storytelling, whether on stage or on set.
Honus’s career trajectory mirrors the eclectic spirit of early‑2000s Philadelphia, which he describes as a hub for experimental and hard‑rock acts. He cited bands such as Need New Body and Make A Rising as part of that scene, noting that it offered a space for artists who “wanted to embrace experimental music” before mainstream tastes shifted back toward classic rock. He also recalled the surreal moment when the band’s cover was featured on the cover of City Paper’s “Band of the Year” issue, a highlight he described as both surreal and humorous.
The Man Man lineup has evolved over the years, but the core remains a collective of multi‑instrumentalists who share a curiosity for genre‑less music. Honus compares the band’s approach to that of Ween, noting that both groups resist fitting into a single musical category.
Beyond touring and acting, Honus has continued to broaden his creative output. He released a solo record under the name Honus Honus in 2024 and collaborated with the indie supergroup Mister Heavenly on projects in 2011 and 2017. His recent move to Brooklyn follows years in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, expanding his network within the independent music community.
The combination of touring, television work, and ongoing projects illustrates the multifaceted nature of contemporary music careers. As Man Man’s Carrot On Strings tour progresses, fans can expect to hear the band’s experimental sound live, while viewers of The Vampire Lestat will see Honus bring his stage presence to a new medium.
The next scheduled Man Man performance is on July 23 at Underground Arts, where the band will share the stage with Death Valley Girls. The tour schedule continues to expand through the summer, with additional dates announced on the band’s official website and social media channels.
The article’s information is drawn from the July 21, 2026 interview published by Philly Mag and corroborated by official releases from Sub Pop and AMC.
