It's mostly a typical rock-show scene—fans writhe about on the crowded dance floor, twisting their bodies to the band's rhythms. One or two lie passed out on the periphery. The floor is littered with debris and sticky with a sugary film from spilled drinks. One fan sits at the foot of the stage, staring, fixated on the band members.
It is typical, that is, except for the fact that, at five foot nine, I have no trouble seeing the band from the back of the crowd, though they're on a low stage, barely elevated above the floor. The lead singer steps away from the microphone stand after belting her vocals, picks up a small bottle and blows a long stream of bubbles. The crowd, mostly aged two to nine (and under three feet tall), erupts with joy.
The group on stage, The Pop Rockets, bill themselves as an "original rock band for kids—ages zero to 125—and their far-out grown-ups." After performing nearly 40 shows around the Pioneer Valley, the four-piece band has elicited many a giggle before today, and converted more than a few pint-sized fans and far-out grown-ups.
Cooper Abate, four and a half, seen earlier near the stage, eyes fixed on the musicians, is one such fan. His eyes widen and he lowers his head in a big nod when asked if he likes The Pop Rockets. When asked specifically what it is he likes about them, he replies simply, "Their songs."
The Pop Rockets have won fans like Cooper and his brother Mason, two (seen dancing with an upside-down basket on his head and a shaker in his hand), with unabashedly silly pop tunes written from a child's perspective. The Pop Rockets lyrics are about things that kids can easily relate to. Lead singer Laura Cayer, who writes most of the songs, sings about trucks, having a best friend, new sneakers, getting clean, and, of course, bubbles.
"When writing our songs, we try to remember not to talk down to kids. It's about appreciating being a child," says Cayer.
"Children deserve to have pop songs written about their lives," says drummer Fraser Keller-Stowe. The band lists their children (all are parents of rock 'n' rollers aged six and under) and their childhoods as their most important influences, with "space aliens" a close third.
Many of the far-out grown-ups who belong to The Pop Rockets rugrat-fans are fans themselves.
"It's just about having fun," says Keller-Stowe. "I have seen plenty of grown-ups who are at our shows without any children."
Part of the appeal for parents is that Cayer's lyrics describe the realities of being a parent or a kid. On the song "Clean, Clean," she sings: "Gonna wash away the funk/ hop right in and take a dump/ we're getting clean, clean if you know what I mean/ clean, clean if you know what I mean." The Pop Rockets offer a punchy verve that is an alternative to the sleepy folk tunes by the likes of famed children's musician Raffi.
"What I love about The Pop Rockets is that it's good music no matter how old you are," says Ted Eisenman, 36, the grown-up who belongs to Vivien, four (who was reticent when questioned on her opinion of The Pop Rockets, though her shimmy during their set was comment enough).
"I think the parents like The Pop Rockets as much as the kids," says Mark Zaccheo, who belongs to Gabriel, four and a half, an enthusiastic fan. "We go to all their shows."
The Pop Rockets were born not long after Gabriel, when Laura Cayer and keyboardist Laurie Siggillino Broussard met at a play group in Greenfield. Soon after, bassist Rob Broussard and Keller-Stowe signed on. All four members are longtime musicians who "turned a corner when they became parents," Keller-Stowe says.
Playing in The Pop Rockets allowed them to continue making music, but get the kids to bed on time. Since their inception, the band has recorded two albums, and a third is slated for this summer.
The Pop Rockets have carved a niche playing at elementary schools, birthday parties and other family-centered venues. But one must have an energetic inner child to truly appreciate their music.
Donovan Riley Robinson, 12, whose mother is standing nearby, chooses his words carefully when sharing his opinion. "It's interesting…" he says. "I've never really heard music like 'Party in the Potty.'"
