Isn't it ironic? Don't cha' think? A little too ironic? Yeah, I really do think. It's like a guy who professes he doesn't like structured play dates, talking about a band called Play Date?
But in my defense this Play Date is awesome. Greg Attonito formerly of The Bouncing Souls and his wife Shanti Wintergate made this album for kids and parents alike. The promise there is the opportunity to listen to a punk legend turn kindie rock into something me and my kids can rock out to when we are together. A punk rock play date if you will.
There's a great thing about the musicians of our youth making albums for our children. They were fun when we listened to them back in high school or college and their ability to make great tunes never really diminishes, it's just what their singing about that changes.
It's fitting that Greg and Shanti feature a gramophone emitting a rainbow on the cover because their music is like a cornucopia of sound. Songs likeNinja Pajamas start off slow and melodically sweet but are balanced out with a dope rap by underground rapper P.O.S. in the midst of the keyboards and Shanti's voice lulling you to sleep.
Says Shanti Wintergate about their music "It's important to Greg and myself that we convey a sense of sweetness and the care that we feel for each other in every song. Treating one another with love, care and compassion is one of the most important things that children- along with the rest of us – can learn. This feeling of love and caring finds expression in the way we interact in our songs. It may be the words, the sound, or how our voices play together. Hopefully there will be more than just musical harmony felt in our music."
Ramp up the good times with songs like Ruin Your Appetite which harken back to the style of The Offspring in a song that could easily be written about my four year old's eating habits. One of our favorites is Cardboard Box a song about the possibilities of play that a box can hold for a child which may remind you of the guitar licks and fast paced jams of Veruca Salt.
Interspersed in the the album are sporadic "Public Service Announcements" about broccoli, apples, carrots, and bananas. They are quick little jams heralding the benefits of eating these things. Catchy little tunes that will teach your kids why Folic acid and Vitamin C are good for you and how they help you be healthy.
Round out the album with family friendly anthems like L-O-V-E You and Hug Hug Hug and Play Date celebrates what it feels like to be cared for and loved by someone close to you who will do anything for you.
Chris Bernholdt is a local stay-at-home dad of three and founder of the Philly Dads Group. This post is adapted from his blog DadNCharge.
