"Monkey in the Middle" is Daddy A Go Go's 2nd CD -- it was the follow-up to their acclaimed debut CD (Cool Songs for Cool Kids--1998). It was released in 2000 to great reviews, won a Parents Choice Award, and named to Amazon.com's Top Ten Best Kids CD's of the Year list; that was the 2nd year in a row Daddy A Go Go made that list, a fact that people still talk about in carpool line today.
This just in: Check this out - Rock and Roll Great Rick Derringer has a new CD coming out called "Rockin' American" featuring new versions of some of his greatest hits, some new songs, and a cover of a Daddy A Go Go tune. That song is "Pink Floyd Saves Hugh Manatee" and you can sample my version here at CDBABY on our "Eat Every Bean and Pea On Your Plate" CD page or at www.daddyagogo.com. Rick, or Mr. Derringer as he's still known in our house, spells it "Pink Floyd Saves Humanity" if you want to Google that.
"Not your Parents Kids Music" -- Look for The Daddy A Go Go Band live on Friday September 14th, 2007 at the Austin City Limits Festival.
March 17th in Austin, TX live on stage at South by Southwest. Bring the parents kids. I'm doing something I've never done before and that's put together a live band -- and I've recruited my 2 sons and a couple of their buddies to do it. These cats can play and the weird thing is they wont' let me turn it down. I hope I don't have to break up any fights between the 2 brothers. Surely they can get through a set without a fight? Right? It can happen can't it? I mean brothers play in bands all the time without fighting, don't they? **Update post SXSW - no fights during show - it was all good.**
Now, here are some reviews for "Monkey In The Middle."
" Take two boomer dads, a taste for classic rock and a little spare time, and you've got Daddy A Go Go. On their two CDs, the wonderfully warm and upbeat duo sings about birthdays, best friends and the travails of getting into trouble. The lyrics are pure kid, but parents will hear nods to the Eagles, the Dead and even proto-punks the Vaselines. End result: a perfect soundtrack for changing diapers, washing the minivan or just bopping around the kitchen."
-- Newsweek, May 15, 2000
"Monkey In The Middle is cool enough for kids and hip enough for parents. If you and your kids can't agree on what kind of music to listen to, give Daddy A Go Go a try...perfect for long car rides, rainy afternoons, and family get-togethers."
-- The Atlanta Journal Constitution, June 12th, 2000
"Monkey In The Middle Rocks...really packs a punch! What's cool about Daddy A Go Go's music is the fact that it's real music for real kids. You won't find cheesy, synthesized fluff tunes here. Go ahead, give it a spin."
-- Nashville Parent, June 2000
"...original children's songs set to the sound of go-go music...if you're old enough, the instrumental homage to mid- and late-1960's rock 'n roll will take you back...kid-friendly and companionable."
-- Parents Choice, June 2000.
"So much kid-targeted rock has been '50's and '60's-based that it's a genuine treat to hear what John Boydston and Walt Brewer have cooked up here: tunes which brim over with energy and laughs." -- Moira McCormik, Follows the Kids Music Biz for Billboard Magazine.
"Daddy A Go Go pulls from punk, surf, jam bands and early rock and roll. But don't think this is too hip for your kid. The best of these musical styles was always about silliness, fun and dancing, and they work beautifully as kids' songs." -- Amarillo Globe-News, May 18th, 2000
"I think everyone will enjoy the energy, laughs and rockin' good times that Monkey In The Middle provides...these songs are kid-centered, infectious and fun."
-- Chicago Parent, August 2000
"John Boydston and Walt Brewer believe that 'the family that boogies together, woogies together' and we can't agree more...smart kids lyrics set to surf guitar tunes."
-- Dadmag.com, June 2000
"Daddy A Go Go wants to make your life easier.with this clever guitar-driven kiddie pop, even Mom and Dad should be all smiles." -- The Tulsa World, March 31st, 2000
"Daddy A Go Go truly lives up to its motto, 'The family that boogies together, woogies together' in this bouncy collection of rock n' roll tunes for the entire family. From the infectious groove of the title song to the down-home rhythms of "Thank The Farmer," the songs possess the toe-tapping, sing-along inspiring quality found in the best of rock. Clever, bouncy and fun, this has something to amuse everyone in the family."
-- School Library Journal, August 2000
And those are just the lukewarm reviews.
Daddy A Go Go is:
John Boydston -- guitars, vocals, bass, engineer, producer, percussion, writer, and other fun stuff.
Walt Brewer -- plays the drums and sings too and writes, but not nearly enough. And didja know Walt was a founding member of the hugely talented and influential band called The Jody Grind in the early 90's?
Daddy A Go Go is the brainchild of John Boydston, a former CNN news producer turned stay-at-home dad. The concept was born the day his kids told him they were sick of the Barney CD and could we 'hear that Beatles CD again?'
That CD was 'A Hard Day's Night' and it dawned on John that
his kids were graduating from purple dinosaurs and stick figures and wanting some real music; He then realized
that no one was making guitar and beat music that was specifically kid and family-oriented (this was in 1998. So he dusted off his guitar and got busy writing, and recording his own songs, plus a few covers like "Scooby Doo" and "Go Speed Racer," recruited veteran Atlanta drummer Walt Brewer (The Jody Grind), and they recorded
the debut Daddy a Go Go CD "Cool Songs for Cool Kids," released on the Fall of 1998.
Boydston figured that would be a one-time project, something he did to entertain himself and his own kids; but when great reviews started pouring in for "Cool Songs" Boydston figured he was on to something -- making real music for real kids & familes that would insult anyone's intelligence.
All Daddy A Go Go CD's were recorded and produced by John Boydston in his basement in Atlanta, Ga. We expect our forthcoming #6 release (2008) to be recorded there too. People are good to us there. We are comfortable there. We know our way around there, in the dark if necessary. We can spill stuff, make loud noises, without getting yelled at.
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