Mankato bars offer some pretty great surprises sometimes.

The Aboveground had Blind Melon and Shooter Jennings last year, not to mention an appearance by his wife, Drea de Matteo, formerly of “The Sopranos” and now of “Desperate Housewives.” Buster’s has brought in some great bands, including tonight’s Wookiefoot concert (see column at the bottom of the page).

And then there’s the What’s Up Lounge, which has (arguably) offered up the most surprises over the years, considering the modest atmosphere isn’t the place one would expect to see Motion City Soundtrack, Brother Ali and the Meat Puppets. Yet, all have graced the stage.

That tradition continues during the next couple of weeks with the return of Quietdrive and P.O.S. to the What’s Up, and as mentioned, Wookiefoot to Buster’s.

We talked to Stef “P.O.S.” Alexander — Rhymesayers Entertainment artist (also home to Atmosphere) — about his nationwide tour, with Mankato’s What’s Up included as one of the stops.

Free Press: Tell me a little bit about the new record, “Never Better.” Do you feel it’s your best work to date?

P.O.S.: It’s easily my best work to date. ... I felt like I was fully uncompromised on what I wanted it to sound like, and I was pushing as hard as I possibly could. It felt good. I felt like I wasn’t doing anything old or stupid. It was brand new.

FP: Your previous record, “Audition,” would you call it your breakthrough record, in terms of its widespread recognition?

P.O.S.: Maybe. I don’t know (that) I’ve had my breakthrough record yet. It got a lot of national attention, and it got lots of really good reviews. ... But for me, personally, when I listened to it, it sounds a little unfinished. (At the time), I wanted it to sound like the most daring record I could possibly make. (But it ended up having) a pop sensibility.

FP: Your early roots are in punk music. In what ways does that impact your music now?

P.O.S.: I’ve never really noticed it. But, yeah, it’s still there. ... It’s in the spirit of my songwriting.

FP: I’ve read you were opposed to mainstream hip-hop before you started rapping. What put you off about it?

P.O.S.: My initial aversion was all I had heard really was South Central Cartel, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre (and the like). I liked the beats and the style of delivering the lyrics. But, it’s just me and my mom living in this house, and I don’t call women bitches. And the bragging about the money and wealth, I’m not into that kind of thing.

FP: What prompted you founding the Doomtree Collective (a nine-member group of emcees, producers and djs)?

P.O.S.: What prompted it was me and my friends all were rapping, (we were) solo rappers, and just the whole vibe of “I know this guy who can book this show, and “I know this person who can write this article.” We built off that.