Black Kids

With 2008's Lollapalooza blasting off today in Chicago and the blistering sun beaming down on thousands of drunk music fans, it makes sense we offer up a review of one of this year's hottest bands to grace the Lolla stage.  Of course I'm talking about the pop-indie-rock five piece, Black Kids. 

The band's debut album, Partie Traumatic is proof these five party rockers, hailing from Jacksonville Florida, pack a hell of a punch.  The single, "I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You", released in April of 2008 by Columbia Records, has such an infectious bass line and catchy keyboard melody, it will make the stiffest of the stiff want to get up and dance without inhibition.

What distinguishes Black Kids from other dance-rock groups of today is the childlike double-dutch-rope-call-and-response vocal technique accompanying lead singer Reggie Youngblood.   

All in all, If you want to have a good time, have a couple of drinks, laugh with your friends and dance until your legs give out, Black Kids's Partie Traumatic is for you.

Ali Youngblood 

In the world of punk rock journalism it's customary for the interviewer to be an asshole towards the band he's interviewing.  It's the punk way of showing the band he likes them.  For example, he'll start off with the most offensive question imaginable, such as, "you guys have been on tour for a while, when are you going to start playing your instruments?"  It's meant to be funny and at times, it is. 

By the same token, any rock musician who sits down with a punk rock journalist has the power to determine whether the interview will be funny, sad or nothing at all.  With that said, thank god I'm not a punk rock journalist and thank god Ali Youngblood is the coolest girl in the world.

I asked ask Ali a few open ended questions and she quaintly and concisely answered them while chuckling the whole time.  Perhaps this time the joke was on me, but I didn't mind.

StopBeingFamous:  I'll start off with a fun one: who really controls the Black Kids MySpace?  Are fans talking to you, other members of the band, or a guy named Biff.  

Ali Youngblood:  Ha,ha,ha who’s Biff?  What’s a Biff?  Black Kids control MySpace, but we also have a mystery friend update all the info for shows and friend adds. 
 

SBF:  What is your zodiac sign?  

AY:  Libra, no cusp.

SBF:  I saw your band open for Cut/Copy in Chicago, at the Abbey Pub.  When Cut/Copy stepped on stage, I spotted you in the crowd dancing like you had never seen them perform before.  How is this possible when you see them same do the routine every night on tour? 

AY:  Ha,ha,ha? I love supporting friends with awesome songs.

SBF:   Ok!  Ha,ha,ha, while in Chicago did you get see any of the city, and if so, what was the most attractive thing you saw? 

AY:  We went out in a taxi to Wicker Park. I’ve been to Chicago to visit friends and all I remember is snow. It was neato. I’ve never seen snow before then! 

SBF:  Where do you feel most comfortable?  

AY:  In my bed, whichever bed is my bed that night.  I’m never home anymore.

SBF:  If you could tour with another band, who would it be?  

AY:  Collapsing Cities, we toured with them and it was too much fun.  Plus, I like their songs. 

SBF:  What is your relationship like with Dawn? 

AY:  She’s like a sister, except there’s never drama. 

SBF:   I understand you and your brother Reggie are originally from Jacksonville, Florida.  While on tour, how do you feel about being away from home?  

AY:  I miss maybe two friends, my parents and my dog, Kahimi Candy.

SBF:  If you had to have one piece of music play softly in your head for the rest of your life, what would it be?  

AY:  “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green. 

SBF:  What are your pet peeves? 

AY:  Nose blowing at the table – There’s too many! Ahhha! 

SBF:  How did the group come up with the name Black Kids? 

AY:  We kept making names that turned out to be taken, so Black Kids came out on top. 
 
SBF:  How did it feel the moment your band released Partie Traumatic?  Was the pressure lifted?    

AY:  Live show-wise the pressure was definitely lifted.  It makes a big difference when people aren't staring at you with a blank expression. 

SBF:  Would you rather play one round of Russian Roulette and win 8 million dollars, or have unprotected sex with ten strangers from the most AIDS-ravished region in Africa?