In the Event That...

You Eat your Latkes with a Side of Rock

by Campbell States

Jewmongus Tue., Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m., $18-$23, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com

Angsty indie rocker Sean Altman never reached super-stardom. But Altman, the sole member of Jewmongous, has achieved a different level of success. Churning out raunchy novelty Judaica, with tunes like "Hanukkah with Monica" and "They Tried to Kill Us (We Survived, Let's Eat)," Jewmongous has taken the world of Jewcappella by storm.

The story of Jewmongous is a story of dashed hopes and unexpected resurrection, much like the story of the Jewish people themselves. Before he became Jewmongous, Altman was a serious singer-songwriter, trying to make his way in the world. "I always wanted to be a rock star," he says. In 1986, Altman formed an a cappella group called Rockapella. It was supposed to be a side project; the group played weddings and corporate events to pay the bills. One fateful day in 1991, Rockapella landed a gig on a kid's TV show and created a generation's favorite a cappella song. Altogether now: "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" Rockapella blew up, performing all over the U.S., landing a Japanese record deal and a Folgers coffee commercial. But it wasn't enough for Altman. He left Rockapella in 1997 to pursue rock stardom once again, releasing three solo albums.

In the meantime, Jewmongous was born. "I am very culturally connected with my Jewishness," Altman says, "but not religiously." Either way, his odes to the Chosen People has brought him to far-out places, like the White House Hanukkah party (a good rehearsal for his World Café gig). L'chaim.