Strange Ways: The White Stripes

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AS THE WHITE STRIPES sell more records, the more they seem to rebel. And the more people seem to love it. The alt-rock duo composed of Jack and Meg White — siblings, ex-spouses, whatever — recently released their sixth studio album, "Icky Thump," which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts.

The album is a genius smattering of varied instrumentation, ADD vocals and storytelling, and cuts from it are sure to be featured heavily at the duo's concert on Saturday at the Patriot Center.

In honor of Jack White's eccentricity, we're going to be counting down the top five weirdest things the band has done in the last few years. And we're not even going to touch the duo's relationship.

» 5. ICKY THUMP RECORDS:
For the release party of "Icky Thump," the band took over Tower Records in LA, re-branding the famous store as "Icky Thump Records," complete with its own billboard, signs, and artwork.

» 4. 3 INCHES:
In fall 2005, the band heard about a miniature toy record player manufactured by Bandai that played 3-inch records. Meg and Jack purchased 400 of these "Triple Inchophones" and sold them along with seven three-inch singles. The complete set was recently sold on eBay for more than $2,000.

» 3. MISSING UPHOLSTERY RECORD:
Before becoming an uber-famous rockstar, Jack White was an upholsterer. In 2004, in celebration of his friend's 25th year in the business, White recorded an album and put 100 copies of it into various pieces of furniture. It has yet to be discovered.

» 2. SECRET BUS SHOW:
On their most recent Canadian tour, the White Stripes decided to play in every province in Canada, and even added in a few impromptu bonus shows for only the most dedicated fans. Info for these shows would leak to a person or two and then spread through text messages and the Internet like wildfire. The Stripes played shows at bowling alleys, youth centers and, coolest of all, on a moving bus in Winnipeg. Luckily for you Stripes fans, footage of many of these shows has made its way to YouTube.

» 1. ONE NOTE CONCERT:
The most astounding of these secret shows, however, was in Newfoundland on July 16. After setting up an entire stage and entering to the cheering of about a hundred fans, Jack and Meg stepped on stage, played a single note (a C-sharp, for the record), and walked off stage. Jack declared, "We've officially played in every province and territory in Canada" before getting into a car to the cheers of "One more note" from the delighted crowd in what was the world's shortest concert. Let's just hope they don't go for a repeat on Friday.

» Patriot Center, George Mason University, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax; Sat., 8 p.m., $40; 800-551-7328.

Written by Express contributor Jason Koebler
Photo by Autumn DeWilde