Playing out of the box (and in)

If you're a musician and you performed on stage in a club this past week, there are only two words for you: "borrrr" and "ing." At least, that's what anyone who caught the unusual performance by Flipp might say.

Flipp ventured into nearly opposite territory Saturday, playing a totally unconfined set on the roof next to Bob's Java Hut in south Minneapolis. The cartoony band kept mum that it would play up there, fearing the cops would shut it down. Sure enough, police did pull the plug, but not before the band was joined by Art Alexakis of Everclear -- who's co producing their album -- for a set that included "Let It Be," a must for any rooftop gig.

Flipp guitarist/singer Brynn Arens performs to the crowd gathered on Lyndale Av. in Minneapolis Saturday. The band staged an unannounced live performance on the roof next to Bob's Java Hut. | Marlin Levinson | Star Tribune

Flipp's members came close to getting fined, they said, but fortunately they have a manager with experience in such matters: Bill Aucoin, who steered Kiss through its heyday. One of the officers apparently recognized Aucoin from VH1's "Behind the Music" episode about Kiss and began swapping stories. Case closed.