…No, I’m not talking about actual sippy cups and giving your kid a “time out.” Rather, The Sippy Cups and The Time Outs are music groups who play rock songs for kids and parents –and it seems like it’s a money-maker!
J and I were walking to get some breakfast on Sunday, and at the BART station near our house, there was a freebie magazine called Bay Area Parent on display in one of those newspaper bins, and the cover caught my eye. I grabbed a copy and read all about these groups that have carved out a lucrative niche in the parent/kid music market. It’s not Raffi, Barney, or The Wiggles kind of crap that’s being performed. Nope. It’s a blend of classic rock songs, Go-Go dancing, and DJs spinning songs.Â
The band/dance groups (i.e., The Devil-Ettes and The Time Outs) have My Space pages, and even have a trademark for their events (“Pip Squeak A Go Go â„¢ – a dance party for all ages!”).  The Sippy Cups cover Pink Floyd (“Bike”), The Kinks, a reworking of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, and even the Velvet Underground. They tend to stay away from Top 40 songs, and play songs that work well for kids and also provide a “Wow” factor for the parents.Â
Now, I’m beyond the age of humming songs heard over and over on PBS Kids, so I’m not really “in the demo” for this kind of music. But there are some people who read this blog that have small children and would probably like to hear something other than “Baby Beluga.” Does this “Rock for kids and parents” appeal to you?
–PK
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P.S. Today is my sister’s birthday. She’s not up for a big whooo haaa, so I’ll keep the best wishes on the semi-DL. 🙂
CG
March 6, 2007 at 8:45 amOh Py, where is the tribute to your big sister. I used to like Ofra way back when you introduced me to her.
Beenzzz
March 6, 2007 at 8:51 amHappy birthday to LaLuna!!!!
Py Korry
March 6, 2007 at 8:53 amI’ll do a picture tribute when I get home, but she really doesn’t want anything big.
Ml
March 6, 2007 at 9:09 amHappy Birthday La Luna!!! 🙂
I guess if I had kiddies, I would probably be into this type of music. I’m sure a lot of parents are.
Wendy
March 6, 2007 at 9:22 amAny group that exposes my 3-year-old to Pink Floyd is a-ok in my book – man, can we get a kiddie Beatles tribute band? how cool!
J
March 6, 2007 at 9:46 amI’m going to have to boot up the mac so I can listen to some of these links…but I must confess, I’m more than just a bit afraid…
My approach, like yours, has pretty much been to play what I like, and let her enjoy it as well. She has pretty decent taste for an almost 11 year old, and has the proper amount of scorn for Kid’s Bop, so I think we’re doing OK. 😉
Shelliza
March 6, 2007 at 7:14 pmI MUST check this out. My son (and his mother) has picked up a few of the lyrics to some of his favorite shows, but other than that he listens to whatever I play. Thanks for the link!
Lalunas
March 6, 2007 at 11:25 pmYou find the weirdest stuff. But it is really interesting.
Thank you Py for the wonderful wish..
jefito
March 7, 2007 at 5:17 amSophie isn’t old enough to care about what kind of music she’s listening to yet — all she wants is a beat to dance to — but Leah and I started our “kids’ music that doesn’t suck” collection long before she was born.
There are a LOT of great options for parents who don’t want to listen to Raffi, Barney, or the goddamn Wiggles, and I’m thankful for that. Matter of fact, right now I’m reviewing the latest kids’ record from Peter Himmelman — and it’s pretty darn good. Also worth letting your kids watch is the toddler-friendly, non-shitty programming on Noggin, including the wonderful “Jack’s Big Music Show.”
Jason
March 7, 2007 at 11:40 amHell, yeah, this appeals to me – and I don’t even have kids!