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Weird Science

By Joseph Schwartz

Imagine Weird Al Yankovic bent on world domination, or perhaps a more malevolent Mystery Science Theater 3000. Or Morgus the Magnificent with an electric guitar. Somewhere in the area defined by those reference points lies Consortium of Genius, the mad scientists of rock comedy. The band is celebrating its 10th anniversary by making the transition from the stage to television next month when the pilot of their new TV show debuts on July 2 on Cox Cable 10 in Orleans Parish. The band plans on using its unique style of sci-fi comedy to attract viewers and help lesser-known rock bands in New Orleans gain exposure. Each episode will feature a different local band that will undoubtedly obstruct the C.O.G.’s schemes.


“People forget to drink when we’re on stage,” explains Lewis D’Aubin, who plays Dr. Milo T. Pinkerton III, mad scientist and lead singer of the Consortium of Genius. D’Aubin is joined by three equally crazed comrades, Ed Merilh (Dr. Harry A. Rachnid), Jim Fairchild (Dr. Z), and their robotic percussionist, Drumbot.


Each show is based on the C.O.G.’s latest attempt to take over the world, and the result is usually a mixture of prepared and improv sketch comedy, in addition to songs that parody musical genres. In one episode, they perform their death metal classic, “Death to the Angel of Death.”


“We’d like to be taken seriously for being funny, but we’re also serious musicians, and you’ve really got to love the music to truly parody it,” explains Fairchild. “We love all music and we are trying to parody each style.”


Although much of the humor comes from parody and the situations, C.O.G. stories are character-driven. “Every character has got his own motivations,” D’Aubin says. “I mean, we would have already taken over the world if everyone was acting cohesively, but unfortunately, everyone’s got their own agenda.”


Television will give the C.O.G. ample opportunities to experiment (no pun intended). A large part of the group’s shtick is the charmingly cheesy special effects that recall b-movies along the lines of Ed Wood’s Plan 9 from Outer Space. The pilot episode, “A Strange Case of Horn Zombies,” featuring local brass-rock band Egg Yolk Jubilee, is like a cross between Bill Nye the Science Guy and Mad TV, with fake commercials for C.O.G. brand products such as “Hair Club for Mad Scientists”.


D’Aubin also invites bands interested in being a part of the show to contact him. “We’re offering our table,” he says. “Most kids don’t have any inkling of the local music scene. We’re giving them a local alternative to mainstream media. There is a whole other side to New Orleans music that doesn’t get covered.”


The Consortium of Genius will be performing at the Howlin’ Wolf July 1 to kick off the television show and celebrate the band’s 10th anniversary.



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