Artist Profile: Black Kids
Straight outta Jacksonville, it’s the best new American band since Vampire Weekend, the awesomely-monikered Black Kids. I’d say that Black Kids are the only good band to come out of Jacksonville, like, ever, but as a classy-looking fellow who overheard me discussing Black Kids with a friend of mine in the grocery store hastened to remind me, Jacksonville can also be credited with shitting out Limp Bizkit back in the 90’s. So yeah, Black Kids are pretty much the best Jacksonville band ever.
As for the name, there is technically only one “whole” Black Person in the band, as brother-sister vocalists Reggie and Ali Youngblood are half-black, half filipino, but none of that really matters - let’s just get to the music. It’s awesome. Like, really really awesome. Like a less morose Robert Smith meets The Go! Team shouts and some bad-ass 80’s synths awesome. It’s pretty indie-pop, almost twee at times… I mean, “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You” could easily be a Los Campesinos! song with its playful subject matter and instrumentation, and it’s going to make for one hell of a debut single when it inevitably headlines a release in the not-too-distant future. It’s one of the best tracks I’ve heard in a minute and the unquestionable highlight of the band’s Wizard of Ahhhhhs demo EP, which is available for download in its entirety from the band’s MySpace page. The quality isn’t exactly ideal, but there’s no doubt that there’s still something very special that shines through on these demo tracks.
Despite virtually no touring experience and very few shows outside of the Jacksonville area, a sensational performance at Georgia’s Athens Popfest got the blogs buzzing and left Black Kids the toast of the festival. A few important folks in the UK took note - further proof that blogs really can get a band a record deal (*cough* Vampire Weekend *cough*) - and now they’re one of the most sought-after bands on the market. And for good reason - all four tracks on the EP are incredibly impressive, and though “Not Gonna Teach” is the undeniable chart-topper of the bunch, the other three have all spent time in heavy rotation on my iPod as well. “I’ve Underestimated My Charm (Again)” is my current favorite, so it gets the nod for posting along with “Not Gonna Teach” below, but you’d be a fool not to hit their MySpace and download the rest of the tracks. With an EP showing virtually limitless promise and write-ups in both Pitchfork and NME already to their name - not to mention Arcade Fire’s manager on their team - Black Kids are set to do very big things very very soon. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
MP3s:
“I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend…” - Black Kids ((highly recommended))
“I’ve Underestimated My Charm (Again)” - Black Kids ((highly recommended))
September 30th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Finalllllyyyy something not for adult easy listening, right Jay?
but seriously, so ridiculously good
September 30th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
2nd link doesn’t work for me…
btw, thanks for coming back!!!
September 30th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Accidentally posted the wrong link for “Underestimated”, but it’s fixed now. My bad.
October 1st, 2007 at 1:04 am
I’m totally digging this, Derek. Awesome, man.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:08 am
Not to be negative, but the best band out of Jacksonville would be Lynyrd Skynyrd, not Black Kids. Perhaps you meant to say Black Kids is the best new band out of Jacksonville in a long while?
I have to admit, they are pretty infectious.
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:27 am
Black Kids may very well be the best band ever to come out of Jacksonville… but Jax isn’t as shitty as it may seem. In addition to Lynyrd Skynyrd and a whole host of other “Southern Rock” bands (Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, 38 Special, Derek Trucks) and lame-ass “punk” bands like Yellowcard and Red Jumpsuit whatever, there have at least two (yes… TWO!) great bands to come from the Bold New City of the South: Rein Sanction (2 records on Sub Pop in the early 90s) and Crowsdell/Shannon Wright. And there were also the Beggar Weeds, our last “next big thing” from the early 90s. They went into the studio with Michael Stipe, were voted Sassy Magazine’s “Sassiest Band”… and then broke up instead of putting out an album.
October 5th, 2007 at 10:29 am
that was quick…http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/best_new_music
October 5th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
These stupid hipsters are only getting “big” because they have a hipster monopoly on this town.
One of them works for the free weekly magazine where The Black Kids get press almost every issue. The Folio Weekly used to be a political opinion magazine and when that “Black Kid” Owen was hired, it turned into a damn fashion magazine. Who else would he put on the cover of “SPRING FASHIONS” besides his tall, gangly bandmate? They have whole issues about the hipsters and how they hate their tattoos now.
So many people complained about the vapid issues that changes have finally been made to bring The Folio Weekly back to it’s original greatness.
Two of the Black Kids work at one of the only big clubs here that used to give many local bands shows and now they only give shows to themselves. It used to be a great club and now they call it a “Discoteque”, play remix music and hold parties to celebrate crappy movies like Factory Girl.
Then they put two females in the band and WHOA! Now they are unstoppable.
They have an article where they talk about how they know nothing about music (which is not surprisingly missing from all Folio Weekly archives). They don’t care about music and they’re just the popular kids who will grow up to be lawyers who will chat by the fireside in Lake Tahoe about how they were in a band when they were kids.
They should stop depending on their pouty looks and hot 80s bands formulas and really work on their music. They haven’t even bothered to work on an album and are staying afloat by one catchy single.
Sink
or Swim
I’m hoping for the sink, although they’ll just be replaced by more boring hipsters with fashion magazines.
October 5th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
“They haven’t even worked on an album and are staying afloat by one catchy single.”
Well I’ve got 8 excellent tracks by them, so they’re barely short of an album (and a good one at that), and I’m pretty sure Pitchfork just awarded their entire four-track demo Best New Music honors. Furthermore, they’re being managed by Scott Rodgers, who also manages another little band called Arcade Fire, and are being represented by the UK’s preeminent music lawyer with interest from all the prominent labels in the UK. So yeah, I’m pretty sure they’re gonna go the band route - I don’t exactly see court rooms and summer houses in their future.
October 5th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
The Folio reference is completely out of sync with the timing of everything. And Folio weekly sure as hell didn’t get the Black Kids where they are. And that club may have evolved a bit, but they are the ONLY place in town that actually pushes for fresh new things. There are places in town, for local bands, stuck in the 90’s, to continue playing.
Redneck concert goers and redneck club owners don’t want faggy kids doing something outside the norm. So why rag on the only place that lets it happen?
Of course, there’s going to be a handful of Jacksonvillers that will be pissed that a group of young, spry, and smart people are repping a city that is so badly stunted. If that club didn’t get kids interested in new things, didn’t get kids into seeing different bands, and didn’t let bands that would NEVER roll through town play there, then were would this city be?
Oh yeah, complaining about how there hasn’t been a good show since Nirvana played Einstein-a-go-go.
Move forward, the rest of the country is. It’s about time Jacksonville caught up.
October 5th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
As long as Jacksonville continues to exhibit the ignorant fat red-neck image it deserves, no one will take the city, its music, or even its football team (which will be in L.A. within 5 years) seriously. Folio Weekly is the least of Jacksonville’s problems; half the population still thinks it’s the seventies, and most of this city looks like the seventies was the last time someone cleaned up the town. Hated to think what all the out-of-towners thought when they were here for the Super Bowl and had to drive Arlington Expressway and all the associated eyesores it offers in order to get anywhere. Oh well, there’s always Plush and all the 18-year-old mothers-of-two looking for an employed man.
By the way, the music of the Black Kids is pretty good; if they want to be taken seriously over the long haul, they need to leave this town.
October 9th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
that reminds me I need to go on a diet.
October 27th, 2007 at 4:34 am
Quite Simply: The Black Kids are not a talented band. They have the most retarded lyrics I’ve heard in … well… ever with way below average song structure. Nothing about this band is unique or different, but that is why they are becoming so popular so fast. They have easily digestable lyrics and music. Simple music for simple minds. People have been conditioned to actually like the more dumbed-down lyrics and elementary song structures, so NO WONDER The Black Kids have become so popular so fast. It’s just how it is these days. I mean … think about it… you had bands such as BAND OF HORSES (who are BRILLIANT!!!) at CMJ, but The Black Kids are getting more press. Seriously, WTF? Dearest Black Kids, I don’t give a shit that you played Athens Pop Fest and inadvertantly opened up for an Elephant Six band –ELF POWER … you don’t have that cred, Black Kids. Why? Because you are a sucky, sucky band. There are so many more bands that are deserving of the attention who have better songs, better work ethic and well –better everything. I’m just disappointed in today’s music listeners. You should want for something better and start thinking outside of the box. And I don’t give a shit that they signed with Arcade Fire and Bjork’s management… who gives a rat’s ass? That doesn’t make them Bjork or Arcade Fire. I hope their management comes to their senses and drops them before they lose money on this joke also known as The Black Kids. To me, they represent what is wrong with music these days. They’re a bunch of kids wanting to being rockstars with no regard for actually putting out good, solid music. Wake up people.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Hooray for remembering Beggarweeds, Crowsdell and Rein Sanction!! I think these guys are catchy and fun. No harm done. How about Whaleface? Another hard-working Jax band with more of a punk vibe that is deserving of some attention.
November 12th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Jacksonville does have some great bands, none of which I have seen listed on this list above. I think it is wonderful that the Black Kids have broke out of jax and got their name out there. Good for them! I just find it sad that wonderful bands like Shangrala, Jessie Magnum or Jonathan don’t get more attention. Jax has so much more to offer than most people give them credit for.
November 21st, 2007 at 3:26 pm
are the process of releasing their album “this is how we communicate”. trust me, they will explode! www.myspace.com/shangrala
November 28th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Shangrala suck. What a bunch of cocks. And get those guys a dictionary or spell check or something. “Shangrala?” Please.
December 2nd, 2007 at 3:22 am
I was just kidding about Shangrala. They are pretty nice guys, and they make great music. I’m kind of a dick for saying such mean things about them.
December 2nd, 2007 at 7:28 am
yeah, right. burn, you got me. what the hell is a “shangrala” anyway? i stand by my original statement. “shangrala” are a shit band with embarrassingly bad lyrics. they suck. but they sure are masters of self promotion, though!
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:24 pm
i’m a dick. shangrala is really one of my favorite bands. i just like being a cocksucker every now and then.
December 2nd, 2007 at 4:47 pm
“mr. blackwell truly says says?” seriously. think about it before you hit the “submit comment” button.
i guess it’s hard to think straight when your mouth is stuffed full of cock, huh mr. jeren? or is it the shitty lyricist? maybe you guys should spend less time lurking around internet blogs and spend a little more time listening to music made this century. seriously guys… the 90s are over. heck, the early 2000s are over, too.
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:09 pm
I love shangrala. Stop being creepy.
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Ha! This is funny! I had a friend send me a link to this blog. Of course, I do not expect everyone to like my band, Shangrala. There are plenty of bands that I personally do not care for. I love the Black Kids. Hi-fives to Reggie and Owen! Amazing!
December 7th, 2007 at 1:33 am
Good Lord there is a lot of hate going on on this blog. I had no idea that my mouth was full of cock, but I guess I should get a handle on that. Mr. Blackwell, I don’t know you, but i’m sorry you don’t like my band. A friend told me that there was all sorts stuff being said on here about us, and wow I had no idea. You’re entitled to your thoughts, and I’m glad we live in a world that allows people to love or hate all kinds of music. In the meantime, I guess we will live trapped in the 90’s and with our mouths full.
Kisses.
December 7th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Shangrala should spend more time being homophobic, reading dictionaries, playing bar chords, and following bad grammar with off-color words. I agree.
December 7th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
shangra who?
December 7th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
i think mr. blackwell is on shangralas bankroll…you can’t fool a foolster
December 7th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
The way Mr. Blackwell spews at the mouth, sounds like his passion for cock well excedes his passion for music. You dont have to be so salty about it.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
he sounds a little cocky… oops
December 7th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Mister Blackwell hangs out at TSI and tries to ge 15 year old girls drunk. shame shame. JSO is watching.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
What? No, you are wrong. I like cock.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
ok. 15 year old boys? it’s still wrong.
December 8th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
jacksonville=BORING!
December 9th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Ticked off in jacksonville wrote:
“Who else would he put on the cover of “SPRING FASHIONS” besides his tall, gangly bandmate?”
ACTUALLY, that was me on the cover of the Spring Fashions issue of Folioweekly. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Jared Chase Bowser. I am tall. I have been said to be “gangly” (is that a word?) But I am no Kevin Snow. However, I am a local badass, you could say. I’m on probation. I’ve been indicted by the government for copyright infringement and conspiracy. I made it into the coveted pages of Rolling Stone Magazine long before the Black Kids. But anyways, just writing to clear up any confusion! hehe, Kbye!
December 10th, 2007 at 2:10 am
Thats it, I’m moving to Portland.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
I just purchased the new Shangrala record and it rocks! Fuck that Blackwell kid, they sound nothing like a 90’s band. They have created something that has not been heard before.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
These guys are absolutely amazing, if you go their myspace they’ll direct you to getting Wizrd of Ahhhs EP for free. I cant remember when and how I first heard them, just browsing the net, but now I can’t get them out of my head. Favorite song: “I’ve Underestimated My Charm (Again)” absolutely amazing and “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You”
Definitely one of the best low profile bands that everyone loves…The world should know more about these guys, but I like keeping them my secret, b4 MTV finds them and overkill!