RADVENTURES AT THE AQUABATS SHOW

When our dudes' attention spans blossomed to the point of being able to stomach a full tv show, we were very ecstatic to introduce Yo Gabba Gabba.  Engaging story lines, amazing animation, and radical musical guests.. CHECK. Being able to show my kids how good Rocket From the Crypt and Dr. Dog are through a lens that they can really appreciate was truly magical.  

Fast forward a year or two, and those sweet dudes have grown to want more action packed adventure on their TV tasting palette. Enter, The Aquabats Super Show: a program with enough excitement, a dash of campy 60's Batman, and some over the top awesome tunes, created by the MC Bat Commander, AKA Christian Jacobs, AKA the Co-Creator of Yo Gabba Gabba. It seems like it's a natural evolutionary step to go from Yo Gabba to the Aquabats Super Show.  We were thrilled when the dudes jumped right aboard and became mega Aquabat fans. We've followed the show around on the now-defunct Hub channel, and have since downloaded every single episode via iTunes. 

The best part of all, is that our kids are now listening to the same music that my wife and I were glued to when we first met. Pretty dang rad.  And now, both of our older dudes have MULTIPLE real deal rock shows under their belts. If you have an opportunity to take your little one to an Aquabats show, I couldn't recommend it more.  Our kids especially dug the live show after listening to the cds in the car a bit and becoming familiar with a handful of songs. Some of our obvious faves are: "Super Rad", "Shark Fighter", "My Skateboard" and "Hey Homies". The Aquabats are very appreciative of the wide age range within their audience and take extra care that everyone is having the best time, especially the young ones.  

Get out and get to a show! Bring your kids!

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANS: DONUT FRIEND IS OPEN!

I know I gushed about it before, but DONUT FRIEND is now officially open! Radical music producer Mark Trombino's donut shop will be serving donuts with takes on all of your favorite bands. I have no idea which one i'm going to get first... Chocolate from the Crypt? Fudgegazi? Jimmy Eat Swirl?  SO MUCH GOOD STUFF! They also have a custom donut option, where you can select a pre-made donut and add whichever fillings and toppings you like. It's a dream, man.

 it's open now, from 8am-2pm everyday except Mondays. Hopefully we make it up there this weekend to try it out!  read more about it here!

LET'S GET DONUTS

Back in my "touring days", it was always a pleasant surprise to see we would be playing or passing through Portland, Oregon... not because of a rad venue, or a great crowd or anything.. but because it's home to one of my favorite donut shops ever, VOO DOO DOUGHNUTS. The place has a rad vibe with a voo doo worthy decor, and the donuts are insane creations dreamed up by pastry visionaries. Sure they've got the normal faves, but they've created donuts like the VOO DOO DOLL (chocolate frosted, jelly filled donuts with a pretzel stake), CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN (a vanilla frosted donut covered with Captain Crunch cereal), the BACON MAPLE BAR (a maple bar with real bacon on top), plus a bunch of VEGAN options. It's very cool, but unfortunately I haven't made it up that way with the family yet... 

here's a button we made for the occasion

But life just got a little bit better. Mark Trombino, a music producer responsible for records by Jimmy Eat World, Drive Like Jehu, Motion City Soundtrack (who are also big fans of the donut), Blink-182, Rocket from the Crypt, and a million others, will soon by opening a DONUT SHOP. aaaaaaand, it's in LOS ANGELES. yep, it's called DONUT FRIEND, and according to their blog it looks like they'll may be open by summer time! Now I know, you're sayin.. "ok, he can make a great record, but can he make donuts?" well, I don't have the answer for you yet, BUT, just by looking at the menu and the grip of amazingly named donuts, I think you'll have equally high hopes. From the Promise Ring, to Chocolate from the Crypt, to the Gorilla Biscuit, it looks like these are gonna be awesome. How could you go wrong naming donuts after a handful of my favorite bands. 

Did I mention you can BUILD YOUR OWN? and they have VEGAN options?  

So yeah, get stoked, check out the menu, and meet my and my little dudes there to grab a FUDGEGAZI or a GG ALMOND. 


On that note, I'll leave you with one of my favorite videos of FUGAZI. 

LISTENING TO MUSIC IS AWESOME, SERIOUSLY.

growing up in Southern California has had a few long lasting effects on me. I can't stay away from the beach, I could eat mexican food for just about every meal, aaaaaaand I'm a huge fan of just about everything John Reis, AKA Swami, AKA Speedo, etc. does. And what could be cooler but to share my love for one of his bands with my little dudes. Yep. Rocket from the Crypt is back with a new tune after about 7 years of quiet. They're one of a handful of awesome bands that are found on the new Yo Gabba Gabba: Music is Awesome, Vol 4 cd.

Rocket from the Crypt lends a new one (written by Adam Deibert of Yo Gabba, formerly of the Aquabats) called "He's A Chef". The video includes a rad cameo by Thomas Lennon (Reno 911, Wet Hot American Summer, the State). I'm a fan of it all.

Also on the record are some killer tunes from Peter Bjorn & John, Belle & Sebastian, Mariachi El Bronx, Biz Markie, and a whole grip more.

I've found these Yo Gabba cds have been huge in opening my little dudes up to other music. The Aquabats contributed a song called "Pool Party" to the Volume 2 cd, and now all the rest of the Aquabats cds are on rotation in the car on the way to school. Who knows, maybe tomorrow Rocket from the Crypt, tomorrow Drive Like Jehu?

Check out the cd from Amazon right over heeeeeeeere.

And while you're clickin on stuff, check out the video for "He's A Chef" below!!