ART CENTER RADIO.

photo by Jeff KogaA week and a half ago, Kidrockers took over the Echo to put on a one of a kind show.  Silversun Pickups and Henry Clay People were on hand to provide a party soundtrack for the new generation.

Thos unfamiliar with Kidrockers either don’t have kids, aren’t into music, or both.  Kidrockers is a series of shows that take place across the country that brings music to kids.  We’re not talking music like Raffi and The Wiggles.  This is real music.  Real music that grown ups listen to.  It’s just presented in a kid friendly environment, or in the case of this show a small club transformed into a kid friendly environment.  The Echo looked very different during Kidrockers compared to normal shows.  The center of the floor was cleared off, and placed on it was a plethora of Twister mats with cushions on top.  This area was for the kids to have a seat and dance if they wanted.  Kidrockers also took place at 1pm on a Sunday, which isn’t normal concert time, but perhaps it’s normal kid time.

The Henry Clay People took the stage first, and they played songs that older fans would be very familiar with.  The kids seemed to be really into the band.  A few kids were up on their feet dancing to the music.  HCP played a modified cover of “Old McDonald Had a Farm” in which they picked kids to yell out animals for the song ranging from cows to goat-monkeys.  In a twist ending, HCP closed with Mott the Hoople’s “All the Young Dudes.”  A song that none of the kids looked familiar with.  Nonetheless both parents and kids seemed to enjoy this cover song.

After a break including some kid friendly rock trivia, the Silversun Pickups took the stage for an acoustic set.  This was a treat for everyone in the audience.  Silversun Pickups don’t play acoustic very often, and although none of the kids likely knew how awesome this was, they were still very into the music.  The band had fun with the kids, and even brought one up on stage for “interpretive dance” during the set.  Despite the mellower vibe of an acoustic set none of the kids seemed to lose interest.  They were all rather enthralled by Brian Aubert’s playing and singing.  After their third song the band answered questions for their young fans.  When asked how their name originated, Nikki the bassist told the kids that it came from a liquor store by their house that they would buy milk at.  When another kid asked Brian what their first song was, Brian told him it was called “Kissing Families” and offered a sample.  The “sample” turned into a full-blown acoustic version of the song. 

Kidrockers is a great way to expose kids to music that is actually relevant today.  It provides kids with a safe and fun environment to listen to some great bands.  By keeping the ticket prices down ($9) Kidrockers provided a fun, affordable, and educational alternative to taking the family to a movie.  It’s great to see that events like this now exist for kids.  Letting kids do things and go places that adults go is a huge thing.  Older fans who think Kid Rockers sounds enticing should note that adults are required to be accompanied by a kid age 3-13.  So if you really want to go see the show, take your little brother.  You’ll both have fun, him probably more than you.