Gig Review: Jelly Kids at Suncorp Piazza, Brisbane

What did you do on Australia Day? Well here in Brisbane, I was fortunate enough to be treated to some great music at Suncorp Piazza,on a sweltering summer’s day, courtesy of Brisbane’s very own Jelly Kids. The band hit the stage at 11 o’clock to an audience of around three hundred people. Fortunately the sound engineer really knew his stuff, and managed to get a great sound, rip-roaring loud and ready to go.

The band, looking sharp in their co-ordinated outfits, began their set with the lively opener “Eating Jelly with Your Fingers". Food, as you can imagine, is a key component of the lyrics, with many references to food throughout the set. Here a number of different approaches to eating are described, accompanied by some melodic keyboards and a clever reciprocal vocal technique. The song has a noticeable jazz influence, further cemented by an electrifying guitar that moved up and down the fretboard like snakes on a hot tin ladder!

“Funky Red” reminded me a little of The Jackson 5, with its seventies vibe and uplifting rhythm which really got the crowd going. Prizes were handed out to the most deserving dancers as the crowd began to increase in number. Children generally love to play musical statues, so the introduction of a freeze dance was another welcome addition to the performance. This set the show up nicely for “Dance Like an Emu”, another action song, where the children were encouraged to impersonate a variety of different animals. Incidentally the lead vocal on this song was performed by the keyboard player, revealing a further depth of vocal talent.

The kids were all now on their feet, as the band raised the tempo with the slightly country influenced “Fruit Salad”, as the delights of eating fruit were described to emphasise the importance of healthy eating. The audience were then encouraged to do an impromptu Mexican wave, as the sounds of the ocean introduced the next song “Beach Reggae” an appropriate song in the heat, with lyrics including sun safety advice for the kids. As education was now on the menu, “Alphabet Groove” was a well timed addition to the set from this jazz inspired eight legged groove machine. Next up the audience were treated to a game of Name That Tune, with familiar songs such as “Waltzing Matilda” tossed into the air, in an attempt to test the musical memory of the audience.

Despite a hefty half hour of performing in soaring temperatures, there was still plenty of bounce left in the set, as the band crashed through the remaining songs at a hectic pace. “Chocolate Now’”, a song apparently about a child’s request for chocolate at the dinner table was well received. Here bananas, spaghetti and pizza are all rejected in favour of chocolate, which left me wondering if it was sung from personal experience. We were then treated to a jazz influenced version of “The Hokey Pokey” which had everyone up and moving. The set finished as it began with another rendition of “Eating Jelly With Your Fingers” with the audience invited down the front for one last dance.

Jelly Kids really know how to work an audience, their set is varied in pace, and is highly interactive incorporating fun games and activities throughout. A major strength of this band is they recognise, when you perform for families, it is not enough to just stand there and play your instruments. The audience needs to feel involved and there needs to be diversity and activities that engage the kids, which is exactly what Jelly Kids do.

I am guessing that there must be at least one teacher in this band, as at times the show panned out like a fun music lesson. Another plus, is the majority of the set is made up of original songs, which is a refreshing change from the usual array of covers on offer. In short they are a highly entertaining outfit and a delight to watch. Having being suitably inspired, I left the concert with some of their songs still playing in my head, and a renewed interest in sampling some of the culinary delights that were on offer all around me. I couldn’t find any jelly and ice cream, so the veggie burger just had to do.

Look out for Jelly Kids coming your way.

Melbourne - Kindie Rock Capital Of The Universe

You may ask yourself what is kindie rock?  And the question this time won’t come in the form of a twenty-first century rewrite of the Talking Heads classic, “Once in a Lifetime”, but from the accumulated interest of an inspiring musical genre - namely kindie rock.  So what is kindie rock?  Salon defines it as a type of children’s music that ‘melds the sensibility of the singer-songwriter with themes aimed at kids under ten years of age’. Furthermore, it is a sound that brings music and families together, with the music often appealing to both young and old alike.  This has resulted in a shift from the time when parents would venture out to watch their favourite artists at night, unaccompanied by their kids, to a new paradigm where parents and children can now enjoy the same music together during the day.

Kindie rock is already well established in the USA with the likes of Dan Zanes and They Might Be Giants leading the way.  For many Australians, the dominance of the mighty Wiggles over many years has meant the Australian public is largely unaware of many of these innovative artists who operate outside the mainstream.  The reality is kindie rock is hip and happening throughout Australia, and nowhere more so than in Melbourne.

Everybody loves Melbourne, whether it is the Australian Open, the Melbourne Cup or the best coffee in the Southern hemisphere, Melbourne has always been the place to be.  From The Seekers to The Birthday Party, over the years Melbourne has provided the world with an array of outstanding musical talent that continues to expand to this day.  In the light of all this, perhaps it is about time we explore some of the artists currently embracing the kindie rock genre emerging right in the heart of this great city.

These include The Kazoos, Little Feet Music, The Mudcakes, The Mighty Buzzniks, The Rrrrrockets and Zucchini Clan.  All these bands share similar features, as they are great live, play original music, perform copious gigs and all offer something different from the mainstream.  Indeed they are part of an organic movement, which is actively growing, and inspiring children and families in ever increasing numbers.  Consequently, they have given a new collective voice to the Melbourne music scene, but this time for families.  Despite the similar strengths of these bands, they all have their own unique and individual approach, an approach that is certainly worth exploring in more detail.

Kicking off with The Kazoos a duo that combines early childhood educational principles, with a theatrical and hilarious live show.  The Kazoos is the brainchild of husband and wife team Chris and Celia Hill who use comedy, theatre and music to engage their audiences.  Standout songs such as “The Funky Shuffle” and “The Animal Walk” encourage movement and dancing, further complementing the interactive dynamic of the show.

The natural rapport between Chris and Celia forms the bedrock of their live performance. With a bright and colourful image, and an impressive set of props, the band literally transports their audiences to another world.  This is a world of theatrical interaction, underpinned with catchy songs that are easy to dance to.  They clearly play to their strengths, and must be doing something right, as they have already built up an army of fans including a number of famous musicians and celebrities.  Kasey Chambers has expressed how much her ‘little boy loves the Kazoos’, and Chris Cheney from The Living End is also a huge fan.

Next up, Little Feet Music, who I was fortunate enough to see perform live at the Rhymes Festival in Melbourne in 2012.  Their live show impressed me a great deal, and encouraged me to dig a bit deeper.  Singer-songwriter Rachel Parkinson is the creative powerhouse behind Little Feet Music, and has been involved in the entertainment industry since the early nineties.  Having played in a number of bands, and on a variety of instruments since the age of sixteen, her vast experience has proved invaluable over the years particularly in the live format.  The Little Feet Music live show is well worth watching, as Rachel has amalgamated an impressive array of musicians, well capable of delivering a highly entertaining, and colourful performance.  However, Rachel’s primary motivation appears to be educating and inspiring children, with education lying at the very centre of her artistic approach.

Her new CD Giggle Jiggle featuring songs such as “Five, Four, Three, Two, One”, point to a new fun way of learning, adding further potency to her music.  She has taken this educational ethos a step further by running her own music classes where her musical expertise and ability to engage with young children aims to unlock their creativity, open up their imaginations and stimulate their senses. I’m sure William Blake would have approved.

It is difficult to ignore a band with a name like The Mighty Buzzniks, who perform smart, insightful crisp rock music for kids.  Again like the previous bands mentioned, they have a great image and are excellent live, but for me their major appeal lies largely in the strength of the songwriting.  To date the band have released two CDs The Great Space and Bug Out, which are both brimming with memorable tunes.

Jamie Saxe is the lead singer and main composer of the band, and is a formidable songwriter in his own right. If you won’t take my word for it, he recently achieved international recognition for his composition “Ow Ow Ow”, reaching third place in the hugely competitive International Songwriting Competition 2013 - no mean feat.  The songs do most of the heavy lifting in this band, sure they look great, and can all play well, but it is the songs that give them the edge.

The Mudcakes are an Australian-American duo featuring key members Sherry Rich and Boston’s Rick Plant.  Both members have a rich musical pedigree, which has enabled them to stake their claim at the very forefront of the kindie music scene in Australia.  The band has already released three critically acclaimed CDs to date.  Stand out songs include “Monkey Boy”, “I’m a Sock” and my own personal favourite “Jump”.  The major strength of this band for me however, is their authenticity.  It becomes increasingly obvious when you see and hear The Mudcakes that there is genuine vitality in the music, leaving the recipient with the impression that the band literally live and breathe their craft.

Their sound is melodic and lively, but more importantly authentic and uncontrived.  They come across as the kind of people who would turn up at a dinner party with a guitar and burst into song at any given moment, and not take themselves too seriously in the process. In short, The Mudcakes provide a refreshing and authentic alternative to some of the more prosaic and contrived acts dominating the mainstream.

With an eclectic sound that combines big band, rockabilly and ska, The Rrrrrockets deliver an interesting variety of musical styles, which take the listener on a nostalgic musical trip down memory lane, with a focus on maximum fun.  Everything from Madness to The Monkeys can be heard, with the band quite adept at switching between different musical styles between each and every song.  The band also has a great image, and when playing live take their audience on a journey of retro musical styles with their own original interpretation. Maximum fun, maximum entertainment, and compelling content, enough said.

Last but by no means least Zucchini Clan, who look like a bunch of psychedelic leprechauns, flown in especially from Ireland to wreak havoc.  They have described their live show as ‘a bit vaudeville, fae, with a twist of punk’, or alternatively ‘music for free range kids'.  I believe their music should appeal to all comers, with its unique blend of folk, punk and psychedelia, which reveals an undeniably original sound.

This band once again ticks all the boxes, as they are seasoned musicians, who clearly recognise the value of music and the arts, which they have described as ‘incredibly important in the intellectual, educational and spiritual growth of children’.  However, for me it is their originality that makes them stand out. From their name, to their sound to their image this wonderful, weird and wacky band have managed to explore the unexplored, venturing where no band has gone before.  Expect the unexpected here!

If you do happen to live in Melbourne, and are looking for something different, then it is definitely worth venturing out to see some of these bands.  You might meet some interesting people and have a great time along the way.  Many of the shows are like mini rock concerts, where kids get a chance to dance down the front, and experience the type of live concert they will no doubt encounter later on in life.  Wouldn’t it be great if your child could claim their first gig was The Mudcakes or Zucchini Clan, and perhaps then be inspired enough to pick up their own instrument of choice and have a go?  Melbourne has become the new breeding ground of kindie rock, now it’s time to jump on board and dig the new breed.

Album Review: Dream Big - The Wanna Bees

A few years ago I asked my daughter’s friend, then aged eight, what she wanted to be when she grew up.  Her response was quite elucidating, and perhaps typical for someone of her age.  She wanted to be an actress, a singer and a doctor.  No shortage of ambition here I thought.  Nonetheless, it seems that despite our best efforts, we are still subject to a somewhat flawed education system focused on circumventing the dreams and aspirations of children.  It is refreshing therefore, to discover a band, which have targeted this theme, and in doing so have managed to highlight the inner world of a child’s mind, one of seemingly endless possibilities.

Dream Big, the new album by The Wanabees, is the perfect follow-up to their debut Work Together, which I reviewed back in February.  Here we have a whole cast of new characters on display, including pilots, vets, school teachers and firemen introduced to inspire children and empower them to dream big.  The album is also literally brimming with funky rhythms, catchy melodies, and emphatic statements throughout.

The opening track “We are the Wanabees”, is something of a foot stomping crowd pleaser, which reminded me a little of “We Will Rock You”.  The song is a real statement of intent full of enthusiasm, and assisted by a highly effective horn section. “Do You Like” has a pulsating rhythm, and is used on a number of occasions throughout the album as a kind of persuasive chant to introduce each of the characters described.

“Valerie Vet” is more dance orientated, with a stop and start arrangement for additional effect.  There is also an imaginative keyboard on display, which further embellishes the sound, alongside anthemic vocals and pulsating drums.  “Stephanie Stethoscope” combines dance with heavy rock, as the lyrics demand to know ‘are you pumped up’?  Fireman Freddy has an interesting seventies influence, which conjured up images of Starsky and Hutch, if you’re old enough to remember them the first time round.  “Hooray for Heidi Hose” has some delightful children’s backing vocals, which soften what is a quite powerful and percussive track.  The middle eight sounds like you are actually experiencing the ride on the fire truck.  The keyboards again give the song something of a seventies vibe, although the main strength of the song is its superb melodic chorus.  “Pilot Pete” is another super song which reminded me a little of “Give Me Some Loving” by the Spencer Davies Group.

“Penny Plane” introduces some good old-fashioned rock and roll, more reminiscent of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” than the Beatles.  “Terry Teacher” combines rock and rap very effectively; with that notable seventies style guitar riff again dominating the sound, along with some highly charged drumming from Rob Donaldson.  “Charlie Chalk Board” opens with quite a grungy guitar, and some interesting keyboard patterns throughout.  The song is built around the rhythmic delivery of the title, with the chant ‘Charlie Chalkboard’ vehemently delivered into the microphone.  The lyric ‘he’s old school but we think he’s cool’, is perhaps referring to the proliferation of interactive white boards in classrooms.  The brass section adds further melody to the overall sound, as well as contributing to an almost reggae inspired finale.  “Dream Big”, arguably the best song on the album, brings up the rear with its powerful message right on cue.

There is no shortage of variety or imagination on this album.  The band has once again dreamed up an assortment of compelling characters, which they sing about with gusto and relish.  The songs are catchy upbeat and informative, and the individual musicianship adds an additional layer of melody to the overall sound.  You are left with the impression of a deeply committed band that really cares about their subject matter.  Furthermore, they have managed to capture the spirit of childhood ambition and dreams, through highlighting the importance of role-play in learning.  Full marks to The Wannabees and let the children play!

Album Review: Raise Your Hand - The Not-Its!

Armed with their skinny ties, pink tutus and grungy guitars The Not-Its! have exploded onto the American music scene, with their unique brand of family entertainment.  Their latest album Raise Your Hand is excellent, drawing on influences from sixties psychedelia, seventies new wave and nineties grunge, and delivered with uncompromising power.

An attempt to make a video with an uncooperative cat may have inspired the opening track “Funniest Cat Video,” where an exploding guitar introduces the pristine vocals of Sarah Shannon.  The song reveals the band has a sense of humour, and is able to deliver music that is cool, sophisticated and amusing.  “When I Fell” hints at their Seattle roots, particularly through the grungy guitar intro, which can be heard screaming out of each speaker.  “Motorcycle Mom” benefits from some engaging guitar melodies throughout, and a very catchy chorus.  “Bee’s Knees” emphasises the importance of bees in the food chain, and does so through a child’s perspective, highlighting the declining bee population.

The title track “Raise Your Hand” invites the listener into the classroom, accompanied by an interesting orchestration of vocal harmonies slightly reminiscent of Queen.  The grungy rhythm provides background noise to this lyrical lesson in early development, emphasising the importance of raising your hand to be heard.  “Nose In A Book” further explores educational matters with Jennie Helman’s hypnotic bass leading the way.  Additional potency is achieved through punchy guitars and defiant lyrics, revealing the frustration of the imaginative child forced to put a book away by an overtly officious teacher.  Any song that values reading is all right by me, as the bookworm fights back, and about time too.

There is also an interesting flirtation with nostalgia on the album, where the past is revisited, in order to be shared with the next generation.  “Hey Eighties” takes the informed parent on a trip down memory lane, where Rubik’s Cube, Ghostbusters and break dancing are some of the themes explored where cherished memories are delivered into a melting microphone.  “Great Day” is optimistic, unfolding like a celebration of life, harnessing lyrics that remind the more mature listener of the timeless flight of early childhood, and of more innocent days.

However eclectic the song content appears, there is nonetheless a unifying musical style throughout.  The music revels in a consistent flirtation with punk, psychedelia and grunge.  “Haircut,” although lyrically bearing some resemblance to Crosby Stills and Nash or the Troggs, is delivered with a raw even venomous reaction to the threat of a haircut, somewhat reminiscent of Elvis Costello’s “Pump it Up”.  This conflation of musical influences serves the band well throughout. “Love Is Love” further embraces the psychedelic feel, as a wafting melody serenades an image of the love shared during a family meal.  Social issues are also addressed, as we are reminded, “love is patient and always kind, even if your family doesn’t look like mine”.

The album also benefits from some quite sophisticated arrangements.  Captivating harmonies are utilised throughout, and on tracks such as “Mosquito Eater” in particular, the boy girl vocal blend seems to add to the energy and overall vibe of the song.  The track “Echo” is also enhanced by a kind of reciprocal vocal effect, to further dramatise a family excursion to the Grand Canyon.  The song “Waiting List” a kind of cathartic rant against the frustrations of standing in line, incorporates some skilful drumming from Michael Welke, punctuating the melody to great effect. The dual guitars of Tom Baisden and Danny Adamson effortlessly complement each other throughout the album, utilising the necessary space, and playing off each other to great effect.  The guitars can also really tear it up where required on tracks such as “Flannel Jammies” where the hard-hitting guitar, reminded me a little of the Cult’s “Wild Flower”.

This album has fifteen superb songs, sung with vocals as clear as crystal and delivered with music as powerful as an electric storm.  Whether singing about ordinary everyday events, educational values, environmental concerns, love or even nostalgia it is all here in one unifying and compelling piece of work.  The music is energetic, powerful and highly melodic, and the subject matter is both cheerful and engaging.  If this band is as good live as they are in the studio, they would certainly be worth watching.  So all you motorcycle moms, do yourself a favour, check out The Not-Its! and have a truly “Great Day”.