You know life is getting real again when the Rude Boys of Summer are back! That’s Big D and The Kids Table to you and me!
It’s hard to believe but these cats have been around for about 25 years. It’s been a minute since we heard from this Boston-based ska-punk legendary band. The here and now has always been the place Big D calls home. For those who love loud, in your face skankin’ tunes… we just got the word when we can expect Big D’s first full-length album in eight years. The album is titled “Do Your Art,” and it’ll be released by SideOneDummy on October 22nd!
“Do Your Art” is the band’s ninth studio album and it was produced and engineered by Matt Appleton of Reel Big Fish. For Big D’s epic crooner, David McWane, the 20-track album emerged from his teenage love of punk, ska, and reggae licks with a contemporary lyrical and sonic vision.
Over the years, Big D has entertained us with hits like “L.A.X,” “Shining On,” “Noise Complaint,” “Little Bitch,” “Oi DJ!” and now they’re ready for their next level sound in the evolution that is Big D.
“Do Your Art” follows “Strictly Covered,” a collection of classic ska covers released in 2019. However, over the last few years, members have released material under The Doped Up Dollies (co-fronted by Big D’s David McWane’s wife, Brianne) and CUIDADO, while touring their own music.
About their music, McWane recently said, “Always use that magic. Realize you have it, and never put it away. Do your art, even if the current American system right now is limiting us, because no-one has time after an eight hour shift and an hour-and-a-half commute both ways, and you have to eat breakfast and you have to make dinner – there’s no time. But don’t let that stop you from doing your art.”
PHOTO BY MARK STERN
With their first of three singles being released by SideOneDummy, “Too Much” is a throw back to classic third-wave ska, with fourth-wave overtones. The song is kickin’ and brings their live performances too life through this song. It’s like being front row at Warped Tour in the early years of Big D and The Kids Table.
Successful ska bands are made a certain way, Big D is no different. They are not about being bigger, just better. That’s the thing about the For the ska community. They like bands that entertain them as well as play high-velocity dance-friendly songs that give everyone the happy feet.
For Big D, that’s what their music is all about. Connecting with their fans, and entertaining them with lyrics, smart rhymes and a kick-ass sound. They ooze that Rancid-Operation Ivy vide with the soul of The Specials. Throw in that Reel Big Fish and Bosstones onstage energy, and Big D and The Kids table is today’s ska-punk royalty.
Truth is, for too many in the music industry who like giving opinions, they believe Big D can be the next big thing, that’s spot on. But, to make that the number one goal, that’s not this band. The band has legit and down-to-earth bandmates who care about their music and the people who listen to their music. I’ve gotten to know these guys over the years, and that’s what I’ve always taken away about this band. They care about the right things and do music for the right reasons.
If being the next “Big Thing” is in the cards, that’s OK by Big D… if it happens, it happens. But that’s not what’s important to the band. For McWane, he recently said, “We simply don’t want what they want. Big D doesn’t want to play Major League Baseball and what I mean is, be a super-duper huge entertainment band. We are having a ton of fun playing in our town league with all of our friends.” That’s what makes Big D one of the most successful bands on the planet to the fans that follow the genre. Respect is something that Big and the Kids Table has earned, and no matter what any industry expert says… money can’t buy that.
Today Big D consists of, David McWane (lead vocals), Ryan O’Connor (sax), Alex Stern (guitar), Ben Basile (bass), Logan La Barbera (trombone), Paul Cuttler (trombone), Jon Degen (sax), Casey Gruttadauria (keys), Matt Appleton (trumpet), Alex Brander (drums), and with tracks featuring The Doped Up Dollies (Sirae Richardson, Brianne McWane and Erin MacKenzie. The band is electricity come to life with an energy you have to see to believe.
Big D and the Kids Table is the class of the genre, so make it a point to check them out when they roll into your neck of the woods. And buy their music! It’ll make you laugh, smile, and want to dance; maybe not all in that order, but trust me on the smiling part.
DO YOUR ART ALBUM COVER
DO YOUR ART TRACK LISTING:
01. Dead Bottle 02. Too Much 03. Toyed 04. Sociopath 05. How About a Pizza 06. Metal in the Microwave 07. Med Her Lazy 08. New Day 09. You Buggin 10. Teenagers from Outer Space 11. Lost in London 12. Beautiful Way 13. Strong & Fair 14. Tripping Over Shoelaces 15. Dispirit 16. Baby Ruth, Zagnuts, Zero, Chicken Dinner, Bit-O-Honey, Snickers, Milky Way 17. Militant Humorist 18. Forever a Freak 19. Race Car Song 20. Danny and Nannie
