There was a time when having children meant the abrupt end of an era for bohemians and barflies.
Late nights of loud live music would be exchanged for late nights of loud live crying and days of humiliating participation in “clap, sing and read” groups where the musical menus rarely ventured beyond nursery rhymes and regurgitated “Barney” songs.
But times have changed.
Today — at least in Chicago — local artists, clubs and record labels who have seen rock fans drop out of sight during those toddler-raising years are taking action to get them back.
Chicago labels Minty Fresh and Bloodshot have released recent kids albums. Such rockers as Ralph Covert and Jon Langford have sung on them. And FitzGerald’s, Schubas, Nevin’s and The Hideout have carved out Saturday and Sunday afternoon slots in their schedules to present these shows that both generations can appreciate–complete with juice boxes and beer.
The latest of these shows hits town Sunday to celebrate the new Bloodshot Records release “The Bottle Let Me Down: Songs for Bumpy Wagon Rides.” This 26-cut CD from Chicago’s venerable alt-country label features “kids songs” by such local and national artists as likewho include Rosie Flores, The Waco Brothers, Alejandro Escovedo, The Handsome Family, Jane Baxter-Miller, Kelly Hogan, Neko Case, Robbie Fulks, Freakwater and more.
Records that have sustained this scene so far (terrific releases by Covert and Justin Roberts) have done so with fine musicianship, irreverence and clever lyrics. But “The Bottle” pushes the diaper even further with songs that range from sweet and serious to sick and hilarious.
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Along with a wholesome version of “On Top of Spaghetti” by Baxter-Miller, listeners are treated to the Waco Brothers’ cover of Burl Ives’ carnivorous “The Fox.” Robbie Fulks’ high-larious “Godfrey” (The Sickly Unemployed Amateur Children’s Magician) shares space with the Asylum Street Spankers’ uptempo tale of intermarriage called “I’m My Own Grandpa.” Not exactly the kind of stuff you’re likely to hear at an “Elmo Live” show, but unlikely to permanently warp a tot’s brain, either.
Still, parents who would prefer to avoid references to interbreeding can always skip on to the rest of the largely safe tracks that include a sweet telling of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” and a fairly straight rendition of “Rubber Duckie” by the dulcet-voiced Hogan.
Although Langford says he chose his contribution, “The Fox,” because of all of the “killing and eating,” the larger reason, he explains, is that, “since having son No. 1, Burl Ives has loomed large in my life.”
In fact, later this summer, the prolific Chicago musician and artist–with one of his bands, The Pine Valley Cosmonauts–is planning to put out what he calls “a low-budget minimal Burl Tribute called `Songs of Blood & Slaughter’ with Jon Rauhouse and Tom Ray.”
Meanwhile, Escovedo, known for his stirring alt-country arrangements, checks in with “Sad & Dreamy” a song about turning 10 that he somehow manages to infuse a wistfulness not often associated with kids tunes. The inspiration came from an `aging’ boy during a songwriting workshop Escovedo was leading at an elementary school in Austin.
“He said to me `I hit the big 1-0, I feel so old, my back hurts, my legs hurt, and candy just doesn’t taste as good anymore,'” lines that make up the song’s wonderfully resonant refrain.
When not listening to their parents’ tunes–or the Clash, Ramones and John Zorn–these kids of singers and songwriters can be found enjoying tunes that seem to spontaneously generate themselves at home.
“We would make up songs all the time, my children and I,” Escovedo recalls. “Some of the songs I’ve written were written with my kids, because when they were little some of the only time I could find to write was when I was taking care of them. So I would give one of them a little piano and another would beat on drums and we would play together.”
Fulks says his wife, Donna, also often comes up with ad hoc ditties for their kids.
“They are very tuneful, with a lot of commercial potential,” he says. “Sample titles: `We’re Almost There,’ `Please Don’t Eat This Boy (He’s Not a Cookie)’ and `I’m Not Talking to You.'”
Parents who attend the kiddie shows in bars seem to love the concept of getting out and exposing their kids to live music without facing the cloying commercialism of those “live on stage” merchandising zoos.
But what do the artists–as musicians and parents–think of the concept?
Baxter-Miller: “I think it’s great! I would’ve loved it as a kid. Just imagine being a kid and actually getting to hang out in a bar and see a concert that’s JUST for you?! Very cool…as long as the kids lay off the hooch.”
Langford: “I used to [take my son to shows], but 5 is a sticky age and he thinks he should play the drums with every performer.”
Fulks: “We haven’t really taken our kids, though we took them to `Milly’s Orchid Show’ [in a park, not a bar] recently.”
Escovedo: “I’m not so sure I agree with that. Leave the clubs for the adults and open them up after 5 [p.m.]. Call me a fascist or whatever but I don’t think that’s so cool.”
But Escovedo’s performing one of these shows.
“I know, but I only do it in Chicago. It’s the only place I know they exist.”
Such shows are cropping up in more and more places around the country to fill a void for a once wild group that, as Fulks says, is “spawning and domesticating.”
So what can folks expect from Sunday’s show?
“Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for one thing,” says Baxter-Miller. “A fancy lookin’ accordion! Bouncing! Dancing! Tons and tons of great music!”
CD release show for “The Bottle Let Me Down” When: 3-5 p.m. Sunday Where: The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Price: $6 for adults but kids are free; 773-227-4433 Featured performers: Alejandro Escovedo, Jon Langford, Jane Baxter-Miller with Kent Kessler, Steph Turner and Aadam showing his favorite cartoons. Plus free PBJ sandwiches and other treats!
CD release show for “The Bottle Let Me Down”
When: 3-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia
Price: $6 for adults but kids are free; 773-227-4433
Featured performers: Alejandro Escovedo, Jon Langford, Jane Baxter-Miller with Kent Kessler, and Steph Turner. Plus, cartoons, free PBJ sandwiches and other treats!
The grownups at a glance
Musician: Jon Langford
Song on “Bottle” CD: “The Fox”
Why that song? I like all of the killing and eating in the song.
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What their kids, young pals listen to: Clash and Ramones (honest!)
Fave songs as a kid: “The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde” by Georgie Fame was the first 45 I ever bought.
Musician: Alejandro Escovedo
Song on “Bottle” CD: “Sad and Dreamy (The Big 1-0)”
Why that song? I wrote it with kids in an authors workshop with 3rd- to 5th-graders in Austin.
What their kids, young pals listen to: Pop music. My 10-year-old wants to be a deejay. But they always liked the Ramones too.
Fave songs as a kid: The songs that my father used to sing were Mexican songs like ‘”Sabor a Mi.” Also stuff on the radio like The Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.”
Musician: Jane Baxter-Miller
Song on “Bottle” CD: “On Top of Spaghetti”
Why that song? Because I identify with the meatball in this song.
What their kids, young pals listen to: I have two special young friends, and they love to make up songs! And dances too.
Fave songs as a kid: On car trips my family sang a song called “Where is the Chicken in the Chicken Chow Mien?,” another wonderful song about searching for food.
Musician: Robbie Fulks
Song on “Bottle” CD: “Godfrey (The Sickly Unem-ployed Amateur Children’s Magician”
Why that song? It was the most childish of my novelty songs.
What their kids, young pals listen to: “The Bottle Let Me Down” and John Zorn’s “Naked City” on a daily basis.
Fave songs as a kid: Like a 7-year-old? “Spinning Wheel,” “Tom Dooley,” “Brand New Key,” “Tennessee Stud,” and “Theme From Dark Shadows.” (Nothing has changed much for me).