Big D and The Kids Table

Big D and The Kids Table is a ska/ punk band. They are not too popular but that is because their genre is not very popular. They are considered an underground band, like most ska/ punk bands including Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish. Big D came together ten years ago when the band met in a college in Boston. They put on insane live, local shows in dorms, halls, clubs and basements all over New England. Big D formed their own label, Fork in Hand Records to put out their first album, Shot by Lemmi in 1997. The band has built a very vibrant punk/ska scene around themselves.

However, before they hit the studio, Big D was contracted by SideOneDummy Records who told them, “You need to do a ska record. You need to do the album that ska music needs,”. McWane of Big D says, “So we decided to do it, and it was awesome”. Their career is successful and although they are not in a popular genre, they are a very popular band among the very few ska fans. Big D and the Kids Table plays an average of 200 shows a year and plans on taking things up a notch to lead ska’s next big resurgence.

Big D’s albums are very adventurous and fun. They have faster songs while they also have slower ones. Their album Strictly Rude released March 20, 2007 includes both types of their songs. The album includes a dancy opener, “Steady Riot” and the creepy, ominous “Snakebite”. The fourteenth track on Strictly Rude, “The One”, is an upbeat, sunny song. This song sends a message of optimism. The songs also has different points of view.

"The One" involves someone convincing their friend that their girlfriend is trouble and that he deserves better, “That woman is trouble. You’ve got to wake up. I know you wanna love her for the rest of your life. But man, there are much kinder girls here tonight.” This song is an excellent example of optimism in ska/punk music. Another example of optimism in "The One" is "And if you keep that smile then you'll find a way. And if you keep your sun out then you'll find a way. And if you keep the pressure down you'll find a way." Big D is sending a very strong message that if one stays positive, then they will find a way through obstacles and difficult times. In the middle of the song, Big D changes the point of view to that of the friend receiving the advice, "But what if I get lost? And what if I can't find? A girl to take care of, a girl to be just mine?" Then the point of view returns to the original narrator and Big D strikes again with an awesome line of guidance and reassurance, "No need to worry now, the one will come around. No need to worry now, the one will come around." Clearly, this is a very influential band sending direction and posterity to their fans.

Big D and The Kids Table has many songs. "The One" is not their most popular but thier fans find it to be a total hit. The song has a good flow and a catchy tune. Like most ska songs, "The One" is very upbeat and positive.

P.S CHECK OUT MY PLAYLIST TO HEAR "THE ONE" AND OTHER INSANELY AWESOME SKA SONGS!