By: David de Young
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Doc's Kids at The Acadia - Photo by David de Young (click here for more photos from this show)
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The press kit for Doc's Kids just-released 8-song CD, Ballyhoo, came in a bright yellow plastic bubble pack with a banana taped to it. It didn't even come to my PO Box through the US Postal Service like the rest CD's in that came last week in traditional manilla envelopes; instead, it was sitting on my porch one afternoon when I came home. If Doc's Kids didn’t have my attention already, their onesheet included a quotation from me, and my name appeared in the CD liner notes (a first, I believe) under a heading called “Those that ‘get it.’” A lanyard was included with the press kit, with my own picture on it no less, guaranteeing me VIP access to the show. From some local bands this might come off as pretentious, but from Doc’s Kids it’s just cheesy enough to be adorable.
Now, really. Being of sound mind and body, how could I not accept the invitation to this show?
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Mighty Fairly opened the show
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Friday night I headed to the Acadia, a BLB-sized theater on the now gentrified corner of Franklin and Nicollet, and at about 8:30, the show opened with an acoustic set by Mighty Fairly (who lived up to their name and did a mighty fair job.) Kellie Nitz was right in the pocket on standup bass. Justin Bell, who also plays guitar in Doc’s Kids, dashed off several stunning acoustic guitar solos. And lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mischa Suemnig led the band through some solid pop fare. (I should add that Mighty Fairly normally plays electric and with a drummer. To hear them that way check out “Wake Up” at purevolume.com.)
During the “intermission,” Doc’s Kids showed a faux rockumentary of the band’s history. The film by Tom Adams (who later played drums with the band) had me laughing out loud at first. However, at 36 minutes the piece is twice, if not 3 times as long as it should be and is like that good joke you’ve heard too many times. This is not to say that conceptually, it’s doesn't remain brilliant parody, and I hope Adams makes more films as this was his first public offering.
Doc’s Kids new album Ballyhoo is possibly their best yet and serves as a crash course in who they are as a band. For those who have not heard them, they are a band that writes zany and catchy -- combined that’s “zatchy,” and zatchymusic.com is their website -- pop songs that have emotional depth because of (as opposed to in spite) of their quirks. As examples of this, think of the way They Might Be Giants “They’ll Need a Crane” is actually a heartbreaking song in a nutty outfit, or how “Fishheads” by Barnes and Barnes with its over-the-top, sappy piano part sticks with you through the years despite the ridiculous subject matter.
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Justin (J.) Bell (left) gets down with Tom (T&A) Adams (drums at right)
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One stand out track on the new disc is “Bandaid”, a clever song that might just bring tears to your eyes in an unguarded moment. (“When you’re hurting / When you’re burning / When you’re wanting / When you’re yearning / Put a Bandaid on it.) The almost Rastafarian inflection BPZMag and J. Bell give to the word Bandaid only adds to the song’s impact.) The song then builds into a lighters-up ballad with harmonies worthy of arena rock (oh, yeah, and a trombone solo.)
Other songs on Ballyhoo include the catchy opener “Bye Bye Bananas,” and a funny ode to Peru (or a map of it, anyway) which plays with the dangling clause “but it always falls off the wall.” The album also features (believe it or not) a good, heavy hip hop number called “Sexier than Slug” which in addition to its obvious reference to Atmosphere, also namechecks another local hero: “And who exactly do you think you are? / Well, you sure ain’t Har Mar Superstar.” (I happen to know Brian Zirngable (BPZMag) is a big fan of both Le Mar and Slug.) [Note to Har Mar: You probably want to get a copy of this song. It is a fucking awesome shout out.]
Tonight’s set was heavy on songs from Ballyhoo, but also featured past popular numbers like “Granola Hotties,” and “Starlight,” from Relaxed But Not Too Slow: An Anthology and “Snack Pack” from Shenanigans.
Location Info:
Acadia Café
Artist Info: Doc's Kids, Mighty Fairly
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