Yesterday was my first show at the Turner Ballroom. It was clean, non-smoking and friendly. The bouncers were there to make sure everybody had a good, safe time and haven't yet grown bitter about the multitude of rules that are bound to be broken in the future. And the show, apparently, started on time. I'm not used to any of this.
The kids there were enthusiastic, which is something I don't see much at shows anymore. I'm sure the audience is appreciative of the music at your typical bar show, but they have an almost non-existent way of showing it somtimes. I'm guilty of this, too.
These kids, though, are brimming with an overflow of energy and have nowhere to put it, so they EXPLODE at these shows. But unlike a stereotypical punk show, most of them are here for fun, not because of bitterness. I love ska kids. So happy. And no matter where you are there's always the one skinny white kid with the giant, wavy, crazy afro; this time he was wearing a shirt that proclaimed "I (heart) Ska." Dude, you don't have to tell me that. I already knew.
And of course, the reason for going was to see Big D and the Kids Table, three-time nominee for this year's Boston Music Awards. The band has been touring in support of its newest album, "Strictly Rude," and it's the first headlining tour in nearly three years.
I've seen the band perform truncated sets at The Warped Tour and open for countless bands, so seeing the band glued to the stage after the 30-minute mark (and well beyond) was a nice treat. Vintage images and videos were projected as the band played, treating the audience to appropriately timed shots of '50s pinup girls, political and inspirational leaders, and even footage from one of their very first shows.
Most of the show revolved around "Strictly Rude," but the band did lean back and pull out some tracks from "How it Goes" as well as some of the earlier releases. The show was a decent mix of f-bomb-filled, drum-fueled thrash (to get the kids moving) and laid back dub (to give them a break).
The band has always been extremely appreciative of its fan base and that reflected well through its interaction with the audience, which felt more like friends playing for and entertaining friends. The band kinda, sorta took requests at one point, but kept getting requests for the songs that were already on the set list for later.
These guys are so likable that it's impossible to just stand and watch them play. Your head starts moving ... your legs start moving ... then suddenly, you're swinging your arms and kicking your feet with the best of them.
Jason McDowell grew up in central Iowa and moved to Milwaukee in 2000 to attend the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
In 2006 he began working with OnMilwaukee as an advertising designer, but has since taken on a variety of rolls as the Creative Director, tackling all kinds of design problems, from digital to print, advertising to branding, icons to programming.
In 2016 he picked up the 414 Digital Star of the Year award.
Most other times he can be found racing bicycles, playing board games, or petting dogs.
