Animal rights: Examining the menagerie of Mau5heads before electronic artist Deadmau5 comes to Vegas

By Deanna Rilling

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010 | 1 a.m.

Once upon a time in the Great White North, a small rodent scurried into the warmth of a computer tower, only to meet its untimely demise. Upon discovering the deceased, Joel Zimmerman memorialized the critter, whom he once described to the Weekly as “quite charming.” He framed the furry creature, and the Internet handle/production moniker Deadmau5 was born.

The multi-award-winning Deadmau5 is not a DJ; he doesn’t use turntables, instead performing with a live rig built from computer gear, sequencers, controllers and other equipment most of us wouldn’t know how to handle. Deadmau5 brings it all to Vegas October 15 for a one-night-only reopening of Body English nightclub inside the Hard Rock Hotel (doors at 11 p.m., $100 and up).

Also in tow? His giant, custom mau5head that has become iconic to legions of Mau5keteers and helped make Deadmau5 one of the most recognizable electronic music artist on the scene.

The man behind the mau5 will likely muck about in his headgear for part of that set. What started off as one mau5head has grown into quite the collection, with fans typically stoked to see which giant mau5cessory Deadmau5 will wear during his gigs. (Many of his followers even make their own and wear them to shows). We take a look at the mau5head medley.

The OG mau5head: It’s red, it’s fuzzy, it’s the one that started it all. Years ago, when MySpace was popular (let’s say 2007-ish), Deadmau5 had an entire photo gallery up devoted to the making of this mau5head. “It only weighs three pounds, but after 40 minutes, it feels like 100 to me,” Deadmau5 told the Weekly in 2007. Later, putting electrical-tape Xs over the eyes gave the head an extra dead touch. Perfect for if he’s feeling nostalgic, though we have to wonder what it smells like at this point after years of sweating. How does one clean a mau5head, anyway?

I Thought Inside Out (blue mau5head): So how does Deadmau5 keep his heads from sliding this way and that while he’s rocking out? Turns out there’s a construction worker’s hat inside to prevent disasters.

I Remember (signature mau5head): If you’re travelling the world, meeting super-cool people, might as well have something to remember them by, right? Deadmau5 has memorialized some of his travels with a collection of autographs inscribed directly onto a mau5head.

Dr. Funkenstein (mix-and-match heads): With detachable ears like on those cool designer Mouseketeer hats at Disneyland, Deadmau5 can mix and match any combination of styles. Here, we see the black and orange mau5head he debuted for Halloween ’08 combined with teal ears. The black ears found their way onto another mau5head with yellow eyes.

Attention Whore (rhinestone head): Playing a nightclub without a disco ball, or a massive festival, where folks far away might not be able to see what’s onstage? Deadmau5 blings it up with a bedazzled mau5head, complete with glowing eyes. Travels well in its own road case.

Everything is Complicated (programmable LED mau5head): The mother of all mau5heads, this one made MTV audiences go, “Who’s that guy looking like Mickey Mouse, and where can I get his music?” during the 2010 VMAs. This Lite-Brite-esque head debuted along with a matching booth/cube at Coachella in April and can display moving images that switch from smiles to sunglasses (and lots more) during his set. Due to its complexity, however, this head is reserved for massive events and super-special occasions, so we know Deadmau5 will bring one of his “unhooked” heads to Vegas instead. But never fret, the Unhooked tour typically features longer, more diverse sets.

Hey, baby. Want to read our classic 2007 interview with Deadmau5? Click here for the never-before seen complete transcript.