In case you missed this little gem when it was set loose on the interwebs in January, behold - one of the most bizarre musical instruments ever fashioned: the Badgermin. Dreamed up and constructed by UK-based engineer/sculptor David Cranmer, the Badgermin is a magical, mythical, nightmarish hybrid of 2 cult favorites: a Theremin - that mysterious hands-free box of an electric instrument that gave eerie b-movie sci-fi soundtracks their unmistakable alien spook; and a Badger - portly, tunnel-digging member of the skunk family, known for his tenacity and penchant for grumpiness (and most recently, a flamboyantly badass cousin, of the Honey variety).
To hear the Badgermin in action, you can find video on Cranmer's website. A friend and I were in general agreement that the Theremin commands enough novelty that anyone in it's presence will desperately want to hear it played... for all of about 60 seconds... after which everyone will wish for it to be unplugged. I'm not convinced that cloaking such an instrument in a Badger pelt changes that observation, though I give this project high marks just the same. Well played, Mr. Cranmer, well played.
(photos by David Cranmer)