THE SIPPY CUPS: Kids Rock for Peas

The Sippy Cups

Kids Rock for Peas

© 2005 The Sippy Cups, LLC (837101101899)

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The Sippy Cups play cool pop-rock tunes irresistible to parents and kids alike. This live show was recorded in 24-track digital at a hot San Francisco club in May of 2005. Includes songs from The Beatles to Syd Barrett to The Ramones.

notes

From San Francisco Chronicle - March 20, 2005 "Kid Rock" by Delfin Vigil

"This is a song that our friend Syd Barrett taught to us," says the soft-spoken man wearing a turquoise-blue blazer and a goofy top hat. "He used be in a band called the Pink Floyd. And they wrote some wonderful children's songs."

Before the dozens of parents in the audience have a chance to question why this cuckoo character and his band have decided to entertain their kids with lyrics from the warped mind of the king of psychedelia, an extraordinary thing happens.

Nearly 100 children are jumping up and down and singing along to ... good music. From the impeccably cool likes of T. Rex, Sly & the Family Stone, the Monkees, the Velvet Underground ...

Put the Tylenol away. Barney is not in the house.

In the time it takes the Sippy Cups to unicycle through a bouncy rendition of Pink Floyd's "Bike," it becomes clear to the assembled moms and dads, most of them Baby Boomers, at this rock concert with training wheels: Their children could use this kind of musical education.

Leave them kids alone!

"We don't want to be too squeaky-clean," explains the Sippy Cups' lead singer, Paul Godwin, 43, at a Montara cafe about a week after the show. A casual striped shirt and corduroy trousers have replaced his top hat and "Miami Vice" turquoise sports coat. "If anything, our M.O. is preaching good music to children."

Godwin came up with the idea to form a grown-up rock band for young audiences (and their parents) about three years ago while playing "Bike" on the piano as his then 2-year-old son circled around the living room on a red tricycle.

The band name came first, inspired by the hundreds of kids who have brought plastic sipping containers to the music classes Godwin teaches as director of Music Together of San Francisco.

And after an impromptu living room jam with his friend and Montara neighbor, lead guitarist Mark Verlander, Godwin's vision of the Sippy Cups was filled to the brim.

Amid the wine and revelry of that first evening, Godwin and Verlander wrote their first song, set to the tune of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit. " They performed it at a benefit to build a park in neighboring Moss Beach. The lyrics went something like: This is Moss Beach/ Build a park here/ It's less dangerous/ Get your checkbook.

"After we performed the song at the benefit, I said 'Thanks, we're the Sippy Cups,' " remembers Godwin. "Mark and I had no idea what were getting into."

Doug Nolan, who stilt-walked at the Moss Beach park benefit, joined the group as the band's leader juggler, unicyclist and quite possibly most popular Sippy Cup. AJ Kim was on bass and David Gilmour (not that David Gilmour) banged the drums as the band performed set lists of elite classics, like the Velvet Underground's "Who Loves the Sun," the Kinks' "Village Green Preservation Society" and Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah."

What followed was a year of steady gigs in packed theaters throughout the Bay Area -- and shows at some of the coolest, most coveted rock clubs in the region, including 12 Galaxies and the Rickshaw Stop.

Classic -- but never cheesy -- cover songs for kids seem to be the secret to the Sippy Cups' success with this particular subculture. That and their friendly interactive shows: At most Sippy Cups gigs, children get to bang on drums, xylophones and are encouraged to jump on the stage, squeak their noses and get crazy. Sometimes Verlander even lets kids push the buttons of his effects pedals while he's playing.

"We try not to do any Top 40 stuff," explains Verlander, the mellowest Cup. "Even with Beatles tunes, we try to play their more obscure songs. That way parents can say 'Wow. I haven't heard this song in sooo long.' "

Verlander realized he and the band were onto something special during a rendition of the Beatles' "Dear Prudence."

"All of these kids were in front of the stage singing along to one of my favorite Beatles' songs. It was incredible. I was practically in tears," Verlander says. "I'll never forget the day my dad brought home 'Sgt. Pepper's. ' I was about 5 or 6 at the time. That's the kind of experience I want my daughter, Lia, to have too."

"My son loves kids' bands like the Wiggles," says Nolan, 39, of the Australian kids' sensation (see related story on Page 20). "The Wiggles are great at what they do. But I think parents sometimes think 'I'm going to go insane if I hear this song one more time.' Hopefully that's where we fill in the gap."

There's already a long line waiting to fill any gaps and spaces available in the Sippy Cups. Since demand for the group's performances have expanded past the Bay Area and into Grass Valley and Santa Cruz, the original drummer and bass player were replaced by five new members: puppet mistress Jen Kantor, keyboardist Alison Faith Levy, bassist Adam Donkin and drummer Joe Becker.

The Sippy Cups get musicians offering their services after every gig.

"Check this out," says Godwin pointing to a binder full of post-gig requests and comments.

"I'm available as guitarist with cow suit," reads one applicant.

"I can be backup singer!" begs another.

The response to the Sippy Cups has been overwhelmingly positive -- with one exception.

Godwin's son was reprimanded by a preschool teacher after being caught singing the lyrics to the Ramones' "I Wanna Be Sedated." "They said, 'Bodhi, that's not appropriate,' " says the clearly proud papa. "So now we changed the lyrics to 'I wanna be elated.' "

The Sippy Cups hope to reach a national audience as part of their next phase. A puppet show gig based on Pink Floyd's "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" album, performed in its entirety, is in the works. Kind of their rock- opera move. Think the Wiggles meets Blue Man Group with an edgy, interactive and grander scale, they say.

"It's not like we're against Disney entertainment or the folky bluegrass stuff that is traditionally associated with children's music," Verlander says. "That's nice and natural music. But you're never going to hear us playing 'Kumbaya.' "

reviews

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  • Love it!
    author: Rebecca

    My kids like this music-- but I have to say that I like it even more! It's so refreshing to have "grown-up" music in the car for a change. I'm looking forward to seeing the Sippy Cups in concert and to introducing other friends to this awesome band.

  • Trippy Sippy's
    author: Juliet Keen

    Kids love being high on life, and this music brings out the head nodding, arms flailing, twirling, swirling dancing in them, that captures a previous time, when we all danced like no one was watching! yay to getting away from the kids formulaic 'toons', and into freedom of enjoying music by talented musicians!!!

  • My son listens over and over!
    author: Amy O

    It is so refreshing to have a CD that doesn't have the same old kid songs on it- my 2 year old son played it over and over again when he got it - the whole family loves it!

  • thanks
    author: laura

    Thanks for kids rock for peas. We really enjoy the CD and I don't hear my little one asking me to put in one of her CDs!

  • Great Find
    author: Sarah

    My 2 year-old son loves to sing, "ba ba ba ba who loves the sun." A lot of fun and easy on mommy's ears.

  • I like it.
    author: Kelly the Librarian

    Music that appeals to kids and adults flies off the shelves here at the library where I work. This is a great CD and I fully anticipate it getting a lot of play in this community. Worth buying.

  • Woooo Hoooo!!!
    author: J & M

    This CD is so fun. It is so different than any other "kid" music we have. My daughter is 16 months old and this gets her dancing more than any of our other CDs. We just love it.

  • We love it!
    author: Tiffany and Zoie

    My daughter and I love all the songs. We rock out in the car everywhere we go.

  • author: Christopher

    CD was great and very upbeat! My kids love the variety of the music.

  • Great musicians
    author: Christy Dempsey

    Great CD and the Sippy Cups are hilarous and fun! My daughter is only 2 and she rocks out to them! Thanks for bringing fun music to us parents who are tired of the same old kids stuff!

  • Abby loves Kids Rock for Peas
    author: Jim Crowley

    We gave our grand-daughter (2 1/2) Kids Rock for Peas for Christmas. She listens to it at least twice daily. She loves it and best of all, her mommy does too.

  • My nephew can not stop playing this cd, and I do not mind at all!!
    author: Danielle

    It felt like this cd was at my door the day after I ordered it on line. I was excited about the purchase considering music is a major part of my life as well as my nephews. However, it was not until I saw my 4 and 2 year old nephews groovin' to the tunes that I knew I had given them music I love, but in a way that speaks even louder to them. They already knew most the songs, but it was like the cd was composed just for them. It is great, and now we can groove together!!

  • Great fun for all ages
    author: David

    We gave this to our 2 year old for Christmas as a stocking stuffer and we had to replay it several times X-mas morning... and it was the adults who were asking for it to be replayed as much as our daughter was asking for it to be played "Again!"

  • Fab!
    author: Bridget

    I bought this CD for my niece for Christmas and it ROCKED!! Such a great alternative to the usual kids' music. It was recommended in Parents magazine, and the album did not disappoint! Thanks for something new and different!

  • Sippy Cups ROCK!
    author: Sally in CA

    It cracks me up to hear my 3 1/2 year old singing Pink Floyd from the back seat. Okay, I confess, I even listen to it when the kids aren't in the car!

  • Big Fun for all sizes!
    author: smarty

    Music for the little ones that keeps the big ones happy and singing along - great selection! Would love to have a Sippy Cups CD that was recorded in a studio since it's hard to scan around & find songs on the live version.

  • Rockin' fun!
    author: Emma

    If you want to be elated, then this is the CD for you. It's fun for adult and child. My daughter cannot get enough of Kids Rock for Peas. It's also helped her learn the days of the week.

  • So much Fun!!
    author: Michael S.

    SO much fun! I read a review in WIred Magazine of the Sippy Cups' new album, but this one looked good too (and it is)! I enjoy the eclectic selection of bands they cover on this album. Someone on Ebay was trying to sell the new cd for $40 but CD Baby Rocks!!! I found such a great selection of the Sippy Cups as well as other good kids cds. I will be back as soon as I pay for these and a few more boxes of diapers!! Hope you enjoy this 2.

  • Great!
    author: Kris

    Kids Rock for Peas is fantastic! Nicki loves bopping along in the car to the songs, and I don't want to pull my hair out listening about why we shouldn't play with electricity while standing in water or other inane children's lyrics. Thank you Sippy Cups!

  • Great for Kids and Parents
    author: abu_humus

    Great meet-in-the-middle musical alternative for our family. I like Country and my husband likes Rock N Roll. He was thrilled by the artists represented, while I like the kid-friendly feel.

  • we've rocked the mini-van!
    author: connecticut mommy

    This has been such a great purchase. Both of my girls, 4 years and 19 months, really love singing and dancing along. The CD has you from the first song... all the way to the end. My four year old especially loves listening to all of the children singing, talking, and laughing on the recording. Best part? I feel like a cool mom, introducing my girls to some funky music... a nice change from the typical kids music that is out there now.

  • Enjoyable for everyone in the family
    author: willo

    I read a review of this album in Mothering magazine and decided to give it a try. My 3 year old enjoys it for dancing music. I really love their cover of "Dear Prudence". Even my husband, a fan of 1980's heavy metal, likes this album best out of all of our kids' CDs.

  • Fun for kids and parents!
    author: Paula

    This is fun music for everyone, plus my daughter, age 2, loves to listen to the kids talking on the CD.

  • The favorite at our house.
    author: B Barkley

    Our daughter loves this CD and luckily we do too. We have purchased multiple copies for gifts to spread the Sips around the country. Also, love CD Baby as a resource for buying the CDs.

  • Discriminating hits for the aging hipster's offspring
    author: M Schattenberg

    As I am somewhat of a rock snob, I heard a reference to the Velvet Underground on Kids Rock for Peas and almost died--who would have ever thought to do that?! Great choice of songs, not cutified or dumbed down, in the live album spirit that introduces kids to the electricity of being at a real (not lip synched, I might add) show.

  • We love the Sippy Cups!
    author: Beth

    This is my 4 year old's favorite CD - he askes for it every time we get in the car - which is fine, because we all love the music! Thanks, Sippy Cups for such a great CD!

  • The Sippy Cups music rocks. It is the Kid's favorite
    author: Father Bob

    The CD has a lot of happy, fun kid's music that adults can enjoy too. Thank you Peter Finch of KFOG - San Francisco for your enlightenment and introducing us to the Sippy Cups. When are they on tour?

  • how can you not like the Sippy Cups???!!!
    author: Vanessa

    This CD rocks!!!! Both my kids (4 and 2) love it. We particularly like to sing Who Loves the Sun. If you like this CD, go see the Sippy Cups live. You won't be disappointed!

  • Perfect - My neices love it and so do I!
    author: Kimberley

    This is a great CD. I was worried my 5 and 1-year old neices would prefer their 'kiddie' music (why is it that Elmo's voice appeals to small kids???). But the Sippy Cups music is done in a way that also gets their attention. Proves kids CAN like good music! One other thing - the cdbaby website and shipping were awesome!

  • Sippy Cups Rock!
    author: Tom McCarter

    The Sippy Cups have produced the ultimate record for kids. This is the great music I grew up with, not the Barney blather normally fed to kids these days. And the band is faithful. They play their instuments really well and you really get the SPIRIT of the tunes as well as a great rendition. I don't have a kid (I bought the CD for my niece), but I would go see this band anyway just to hear these great tunes performed live again.

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