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Columbus parents, you can finally eject those Raffi and Wiggles CD’s — a new band just landed its interstellar Winnebago ready to rock the planet with cool kids music.
Formed by Ian Hummel, The Shazzbots blend folk, swing, rock, and jazz with lively theatrics reminiscent of Sesame Street and The Electric Company. The galactic ensemble includes Ian as “Captain Captain” on lead vocals and guitar; Mike Heslop as “Scopes” on bass guitar and vocals; Amber Allen as “Debora Nebula” on keyboards and vocals; Steve Frye as “Watts Watson” on drums, percussion, and vocals; and Josh Tully as “Professor Swiss Vanderburton” on lead guitar, vocals, and percussion. Ian formerly spearheaded Poophouse Reilly and the Poophouse Jug Band and Steve used to play drums for ekoostik hookah.
The Shazzbots aim to empower children with a deep and lasting love of music. During live performances they encourage lots of singing, dancing, laughing, and learning and emerge after every show to interact with fans and sign autographs. The band recently released its first album entitled Shazzbots Go! (featuring such catchy ditties as “My Cat’s Name Is Peanut Butter” and “Walkin’ Down The Street With My Chicken) and hopes to film a television series.
A proud owner of hundreds of comic books and action figures, Ian considers himself a big kid and believes that The Shazzbots differ from mass-produced children’s performing acts because their music isn’t predictable or patronizing. “Kids are way smarter than anyone gives them credit for,” he said. “We’re a real band in a real studio with honest intentions of sparking kids’ creativity.”
The Shazzbots will perform at Red White & Boom! this Friday at 4:30 in the Children’s Park by the Santa Maria, on July 18 at the Upper Arlington Public Library, also on July 18 at the Madlab Volatility Festival, on July 25 at The Violet Festival, on August 2 at The Ohio State Fair, on August 7 at The Ohio State Fair, and on August 8 at COSI.
Visit theshazzbots.com to learn more about the band and download song lyrics.
Alexandra Kelley writes about music for Columbus Underground and can be reached at alexandra477.com.
My 5 year old and I saw the Shazzbots and we were both entertained. I liked that they covered a Poi Dog Pondering tune.
their CD is really good (NOT ANNOYING) music. My 4-year-old wakes up and goes to sleep singing Bugs, Bugs, Bugs and My Cat’s Name Is Peanut Butter. It has displaced all the Kidz Bop Collection.
I need to get these guys for my kids’ birthday party
The Shazzbots are rad.
The Shazzbots are exactly what Columbus is missing. A fun, energetic kid’s band that doesn’t rely on cheese or syrup. Ian and crew put on great shows. In fact, Ian’s always up for a performance. Here’s a shot of him doing an impromptu unplugged performance at my girlfriend’s booth (Red Rover) at Comfest:
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