Quick Hits: Fan-tastic New Video for Red Pants Band, Prolific Schwartz

I know I sound like an old codger when I say something like, "When I was 15." However I feel compelled to do it again right now. " Especially when the new video from Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band was created by 15-year-old Madison Durand from Rhode Island.

Animation teacher Tim Labonte found out about Danny's crowdfunding efforts for RED PANTS BAND (the new album) via They Might Be Giants social media. He offered to help create a lyric video for the upcoming release. In fact, Labonte mentioned a talented student (Durand) who wanted the experience of making a music video.

Now at 15, "back in the day," I had tried my hand at creating short Super 8 videos. They were pretty poor in quality. In fact, when I saw the works by other students in my class, it only emphasized that I should stick to what I knew best – writing. But Durand has technology and talent at her disposal; a lethal combination for such a young person.

Here is her creation, debuting via Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band, for "Only One You":


Stephen Michael Schwartz is nothing if not prolific. He and his band, Parachute Express, have released a dozen albums over the course of 25 years. Now his second solo CD, BUCKET OF WOW! is here. A fast, bouncy jaunt for kids of young ages, Schwartz's music is familiar to anyone who has patronized Gymboree and his song "We The Children" was incorporated into (then) First Lady Hillary Clinton's fight against child abuse.

 Five years ago Stephen and Parachute Express toured China and it left a lasting impression. They continue to make biannual treks across the globe to perform. And "The Panda Bear" is definitely inspired by the experience. The title track is punchy and upbeat, the tandem of "My Rainbow World" and "One Rainbow" describe the color spectrum in vivid detail, and 'I'm Being Followed By the Moon" debunks an "original conspiracy theory" that many youngsters believe.

Matt (5) has only lost his two bottom front teeth and is in constant anticipation of the rest following suit. Stephen demystifies the process on "Losing a Tooth," a duet with a young girl. Three decades and tens of thousands of miles in, Stephen and company are still overwhelmed by the reactions to their music from youthful audiences. That's the underlying theme behind "Bucket of Wow," and wouldn't you like to have one, too?

BUCKET OF WOW! is available from Stephen's website, Amazon, and iTunes.

Get Up & Dance With Danny & Red Pants Band

Danny Weinkauf knew it was time for something different. Sure, he was the longtime bass player for They Might Be Giants. Absolutely, he had produced an acclaimed first solo CD for kids. But now came the next evolution – front man for his own ensemble, the Red Pants Band. And what better way to kick off the celebration then with a CD entitled RED PANTS BAND?

Oh, all the pieces fell into place. Beach Boys musical director Scott Totten signed on, as did Staten Island's Tina Kenny Jones. And guest vocalists? Don't get me started – from his own son, Kai Weinkauf ("Picky Eaters") to Robin Goldwasser ("Love Is in the Air").

The songs are delightfully goofy ("This Dog's Best Friend") to Bryds-style fanciful ("Look at Those Clouds"). "Groovy Red Pants" sounds like a Fountains of Wayne/That Think You Do 60s throwback.  Danny throw in a little science as well, continuing a trend he started with his contributions to TMBG's kid discs. "Botany" Admittedly, the Johns seem to have cooled on the genre. They've ceded the playground to Danny, who is ready, willing, and able to populate the place with power-pop pleasures.

Like Chuck Folds' snarky Big Bang Boom, the Red Pants Band go under deep cover. They are not just a "for kids" band, they are singing from the perspective "for kids." That is no more clearly evidenced than in "Eyes in the Back of Her Head":

I tried to sneak a cookie
Wiped all my crumbs away.
But when I start to smile, 
She says "No more snacks for you today."

A 15-year tenure with a band is a remarkable feat, but that's how long Danny has been associated with TMBG. Considering that TMBG have logged more than 30 years, it's understandable that Danny would be itching to stretch his legs – and it takes mighty big pantaloons to get out from under that ginormous legacy. Belted or with suspenders, the Red Pants Band are just the ticket.

RED PANTS BAND is available from Danny's website, Amazon, iTunes, and CDBABY.

Here is the video for Danny's song, "Champion of the Spelling Bee":