When Harry K. Hairy plays a set with his band, the Monokulators , he’s not himself - literally.

“I’ve got costume changes that I like to fool around with,” he said. “Dr. Xeronis one of my current favorites (characters).

“He’s kind of a mad scientist alien creature from the fourth dimension-type experiment gone bad.”

The Monokulators will perform tonight at Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., in Lansing, with art rockers Thrall and Chapstick

“He (Mike Hard, of Thrall) is like a preacher up on stage when he sings and he gives his own ideas of how the world should be run,” Hairy said. “The guys in the band lay down this soundtrack and he kind of animates it with his lecturing, his preaching and his movements.”

Hairy said he aims to force people to remember his band for more than just the music.

“I want it to be a whole experience for them - music as well as visual,” he said.

Hairy said the basis of the Monokulators’ songs vary depending on his character.

“Some of them are personal involvement with the basics of life,” he said. “When I’m Dr. Xeron, I sing about what it’s like to be an alien trying to land on the moon.

“Another character I am is a skin diver and I sing about how humans are battling with aliens under the sea to try and recover this subterranean 116 that was left by the old ones before the beginning of time.”

Although the subjects are variant, Hairy admits there is a strong rock-oriented basis to the band’s songs.

“It’s experimental at the same time,” he said. “It’s rock undertones with experimental frosting.”

The show starts at 10:30 for those 21 and over. Cover is $3.