Pitchfork: Shins, David Cross, Fred Armisen Play Games

Shins, David Cross, Fred Armisen Play Games

Drinking for charity? David Cross facilitating a musical showdown between Fred Armisen and the Shins? A live game show? Fuck yeah!

Once again, the innovative kids behind Seattle's non-profit all-ages arts and music space the Vera Project have outdone themselves with an epic week of fundraising-- the fourth annual A Drink for the Kids, taking place June 24-30. No, it doesn't involve giving eight-year-olds alcohol, but it does involve something called "Iron Composer".

Following six days of events, the Showbox club will host "Iron Composer #13" a raucous comedic and musical competition featuring "Saturday Night Live" comedian (and former Trenchmouth member) Fred Armisen taking on Martin Crandell and David Hernandez of the Shins in a battle of extreme absurdity.

According to a press release, during the "Iron Chef"-inspired game show, Armisen and the Shins "must compose a song in 45 minutes based on a random interview with an audience member, while being distracted and confused by the outlandish characters behind Iron Composer, the audience, five ‘Mystery Turmoils', and consuming five mandatory shots of vodka in 45 minutes." The competition will be judged by comedians Cross, Todd Barry, and Jon Benjamin.

Yeah, this sounds like the best thing ever.

The event will also feature a performance by Pleaseeasaur (a dude who dresses up, often like a polar bear, and dances to his own experimental karaoke/exercise videos/musical revue), because it just wasn't crazy enough already.

Folks hungry for more "Iron Composer" should keep their eyes on the Game Show Network, because it's being turned into a TV series. Folks thirsty for more charity can spend the week before the big event going to select Seattle bars, buying some drinks, and knowing that a portion of liquor sales will go to the Vera Project.