CENTRAL SERVICES: Central Services presents... The Board of Education!

Central Services

Central Services presents... The Board of Education!

© 2008 This Bodek Music (634479871177)

A witty and hilarious album of kids songs created by Seattle band Central Services, fronted by Kevin Emerson, a former elementary school teacher and now a children's novelist published by Scholastic. Kids (and kids at heart) get ready to ROCK.

notes

“The Board of Education album sounds like nothing else you'll hear in the kids music genre all year. I can't think of another album that will generate the chatter this one will.” – Zooglobble kids’& family music website.

The Board of Education sprang to life in 2007 as a side project of Seattle band Central Services. After a few spirited shows, a highly praised demo, and lots of organic snacks and encouragement, the band completed BoE's full-length debut album in the winter of 2008.

Central Services was founded by high school friends and 15-year songwriting partners Kevin Emerson and Jeff Blancato. Keyboardist Eric Goetz joined them early on, and the band released a debut EP in 2005.

As CS was developing, Kevin was also writing books for children. Having been an elementary school science teacher, Kevin is now published by Scholastic and has 4 books being released this year. He also tutors at the 826 Seattle writing center. Inevitably, the music side and the writing side of Kevin’s brain started hanging out together, and the result was an ever-growing collection of witty, poppy kids songs. The first one he wrote was about a lonely tomato.

Meanwhile, Central Services was doing pretty well and had established a small but favorable niche in the Seattle and national indie music scene. Their 2006 self-released debut LP garnered rave reviews, a stint in rotation at CMJ station-of-the-year KEXP in Seattle, a month-long stay on CMJ's national charts, and a spot in Three Imaginary Girls Top Northwest Releases. The band capped the album's run with a performance at Bumbershoot in 2007.

As they prepared for their second album, Kevin showed the kids’ songs to the band, which now included Andrea Wittgens. Everyone immediately got really excited about the tunes - it was obvious right from the start how refreshing it would be to play music that was so original yet familiar, and so smart yet so much pure fun. They decided to do a couple shows as the BoE and the response was so positive that well… they went and made a whole record!

Praise for the Board of Ed:

“What sets [Central Services] apart is something spectacular: The Board of Education.” –Seattle Weekly

“A perfect, smart 'tween' record... My daughter did something she's never done listening to the record tonight... She set up the microphone, got her guitar and pretended to play along and sing.” – Susie Tennant, Town Hall Seattle Children’s Concert Series

“This witty debut cd follows a school day, complete with songs about waking up, the number eight ("When eight takes a nap, that's infinity!"), and what happens when a tomato finds out it's a fruit. Warning: these tunes will stick in your head, and suddenly you'll know all about the inventor of pavement, and exactly how much fun can be had during an ice age.” – Red Tricycle Parents’ Website

Meet the Band:

Kevin Emerson: Vocals and drums. When he's not gazing longingly at photos from the latest Mars probe, Kevin writes books for children, published by Scholastic.

Jeff Blancato: guitars, bass, and a bit of everything else. When he isn't combing through stacks of vinyl records, Jeff is an emerging voice actor.

Eric Goetz: keyboards, accordion, string and horn arrangements. When he isn't being chased by dolphins while in his kayak, Eric composes film scores for acclaimed independent films.

Andrea Wittgens: backing vocals. When she isn't biting her nails over French thrillers, Andrea rocks on her own as a singer-songwriter, currently releasing her fourth album.

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