matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 656
Boston, MA
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Posted on May 02 2012 04:11 PM
So I find myself in a kind of odd position: our local beach is having a summer concert series, and we might be playing one of the nights. Because it's a very "family" crowd (ie, lots of little kids) I need to adapt our setlist. so I'm looking for the most "kid friendly" tunes around. Here's what I've thought of, other suggestions most welcome. A most broad definition of "surf" is fine, and if anyone has ever done this kind of thing, I'd love to know what worked & didn't!
Wipeout
Surfin' Bird
Tequila
James Bond Theme
Pipeline
Wipeout again (just kidding. or maybe not.)
Vocally, I might do a couple pseudo rockabilly versions of old macdonald & this sort of thing; I'm not really comfy trying to sing any beach boys tunes. but then again, that might be the most requested thing.
thanks!
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on May 02 2012 04:29 PM
If I had to play to a group or parents with children, I'd feel very safe with any of these in addition you what you already mentioned. They're accessible and fun.
Let's Go
Moon Dawg
Hawaii 5-0
Green Hornet
Bumble Bee Rock
Yellow jacket
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: May 02, 2012 16:29:26
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skeeter
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 2065
Virginia, USA
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Posted on May 02 2012 04:45 PM
Is your normal material not 'family friendly' or something?
I'd just do your normal set. I wouldn't go adding songs just to please the kids. If you do what you do well, they're gonna dig it.
— Paul
Atomic Mosquitos
Bug music for bug people is here!
Killers from Space
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Ron-Rhoades
Joined: Aug 19, 2006
Posts: 958
Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii
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Posted on May 02 2012 06:04 PM
The TakeOffs entertained kids at the Sheraton Kauai Resort for 6 years. For most, if not all, it was their first experience seeing a 'live' band. We didn't do anything different and they just love the music. I'd have to say they enjoyed themselves more than anyone that saw us playing out there by the beach. We gave them TO's guitar picks and shook their little hands and they would melt into their parents arms.
Don't do anything different....they will love you regardless!
— The TakeOffs
"Kauai's Only All-Instrumental Surf Band"
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-TakeOffs/312866840587
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matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 656
Boston, MA
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Posted on May 02 2012 08:47 PM
Thanks for the vote of confidence! No, the normal material isn't unfriendly--just unfamiliar & having been to some of these shows, they really do like audience participation and such. of course, first I have to clear the hurdle of whether my drummer is available!
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
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mom_surfing
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 5321
the outer banks of north carolina
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Posted on May 02 2012 09:16 PM
pink panther theme
— www.surfintheeye.com
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Jetpack
Joined: May 28, 2008
Posts: 333
Los Angeles
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Posted on May 02 2012 11:12 PM
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deepeddy
Joined: May 19, 2009
Posts: 1263
Austin, Tejas
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Posted on May 03 2012 08:11 AM
Many moons ago, my old band Squid Vicious played a set at the Travis County Rodeo on an outdoor stage. The crowd was about 60 first graders on a field trip. We just played our normal set. At first, they just sat there. But then they all got up and started dancing and continued to dance through the entire set. They even had a mosh pit during Walk Don't Run! They loved our cover of Brand New Cadillac. Fun gig! We told them, make sure you tell your parents about Squid Vicious! Those kids are in their 20s now...
Just do what you normally do, but make sure you bring lots of tambourines and cowbells and such and get as much audience participation as you can. Maybe hold a dance contest and give the winner a free CD. And if you don't have any, make some stickers and buttons to hand out to the crowd. Kids will eat that stuff up, and their parents will respect you for showing their kids a fun time. Bring business cards and let the parents know that you're available to play at birthday parties.
— Ted James
Deep Eddy Records http://www.deepeddy.net
The Nematoads http://www.nematoads.com
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Pyronauts
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1166
Northern CA
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Posted on May 03 2012 10:07 AM
Just smile and play from the heart. The kids will dig it!
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25685
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on May 03 2012 01:51 PM
Sesame Street theme
Simpson's theme
and
Let's Go, by the Routers I think
have them yell out the Lets go part
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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drumsdick
Joined: May 29, 2007
Posts: 225
Central CT, USA
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Posted on May 03 2012 03:27 PM
Anything that gets the kids up and participating will create lots of photo/video ops, and mom, dad & grammy will love you for it.
Hand out small egg-style shakers or mini maracas for the kids to play along with you. Maybe you'll get them back. Tamborines and cowbells are too loud and spell disaster for your sound in the hands of the rhythmically-challenged (we learned that one the hard way!)
Get a pile of cheap hula hoops to loan out - just do not let the kids hoop on-stage (we learned that one the hard way - got overrun!)
Buy a big bag of colored leis, and award them to the kids for dancing, etc. in a dramatically ceremonious way. Let them pick the color they want - or suffer the consequences."Surfin' Bird" gets everybody moving, and yes, - "Wipeout" is a MUST - it was featured in the Shrek movie, I think. Have fun with the kids, and make them part of your show. Good times!
— *Dick B.
The Aquatudes
http://www.aquatudes.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Aquatudes/107419619521
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LHR
Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 2123
The jungle
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Posted on May 03 2012 06:16 PM
I've played a lot of surf to kids. And, let me tell you, I would trade 100 drunk bar patrons for three dancing kids anytime. Nothing really ever made me feel so happy as to see 3 and 4 year-old children dancing to our playing.
I have nothing more to add, except that if you drummer is good, you don't play too loud, and you can keep the high frequencies in check, they'll naturally dig the music.
— SSIV
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on May 03 2012 06:41 PM
I forgot this.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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websurfer
Joined: May 14, 2007
Posts: 1753
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Posted on May 03 2012 08:50 PM
LHR wrote:
I've played a lot of surf to kids. And, let me tell you, I would trade 100 drunk bar patrons for three dancing kids anytime. Nothing really ever made me feel so happy as to see 3 and 4 year-old children dancing to our playing.
That reminded me of this pic from some images Kyle shared of a Portland Satan's Pilgrims show some years back. I was there too--it was a fun day with a family friendly "neighborhood fair" atmosphere. (Actually that's just what it was). The Pilgrims played their standards, and as you can see, the kids had a great time (well, except maybe the little guy in the orange shirt).
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on May 04 2012 12:41 PM
Baby Elephant Walk- Mancini
The Limbo Rock
Batman Theme
Teen Titans Theme
Mickey Mouse Club
Happy Birthday (maybe)
Hokey Pokey
Happy Happy Joy Joy (Ren & Stimpy)
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25685
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on May 04 2012 01:04 PM
DP,
yer really just a kid at heart, huh?
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on May 04 2012 01:06 PM
you know me well Mr BigTiki... it is true...
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matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 656
Boston, MA
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Posted on May 05 2012 01:21 PM
These are GREAT suggestions! Baby Elephant!! Genius. My wife even plays the whistle, I could drag her up.
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on May 07 2012 05:27 PM
"Baby Elephant Walk" was surprisingly easy to learn, for me... the rhythm is your typical 50s Chuck Berry / Jimmy Reed sort of swinging rock shuffle thing... the toughest part was the lead line: the console organ riff... even that was pretty easy to pick out by ear....
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matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 656
Boston, MA
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Posted on Sep 14 2012 02:48 PM
Finally did that show. it went great! we did learn a few more "recognizable" tunes for the gig (batman, james bond. . ) and of course, this:
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
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