Ratboy Jr.
Since the release of their fist full-length album, Smorgasbord, Ratboy Jr. has been hard at work performing at festivals such as Mountain Jam, Green River Festival, LEAF, Strange Creek Campout, Some Kind of Jam, and more.
"Worms" by Ratboy Jr.
Ratboy Jr. is singer and guitarist Timmy and multitasker extraordinaire Matty (he plays drums and keyboards at the same time!) and they are located in the beautiful Hudson Valley. They are a rocking duo for all ages. They perform energetic, catchy, and sometimes improvised tunes with hooks and stories that will get stuck in your head- songs about robots, emus, and garbage men. Their live shows have been getting a lot of buzz. They seemed to have found the formula for a super fun show, a perfect mix of audience participation, hilarious onstage banter, and a slide whistle!
Learn more about this kid-friendly band on their website: RatboyJr.com
The Interview with Timmy and Matty...
What artists are you listening to right now?
As far as family music we are listening to Dog On Fleas, Uncle Rock, and They Might Be Giants. We also have been listening to a lot of Cake, Gillian Welch, Noah and The Whale, and Ween. We also like to listen to artists painting, its fun have you tried it? It sounds like this "shnhhhhdhhhhqqqqww"
What song do you wish you had written?
Tim wishes he wrote Boa Constrictor by Shel Silverstein.
Matty wishes he wrote The Dukes of Hazard Theme
Who are your major musical influences?
Weird Al Yankovic, Ween, The Ramones, Frank Zappa, Queen, and Emmet Otter's jug band.
If you could interview one musician/band, who would it be?
Animal from The Muppets
What was the most memorable festival show that you’ve ever played?
Mountain Jam 2010 when we played right before Michael Franti. Also we had breakfast brought to us on stage at Some Kind Of Jam 2011, that was pretty awesome!
What's your favorite festival?
The Green River Festival, Mountain Jam, and the Rosendale Street Festival.
If you were putting on a festival, who would be the headliner?
Tom Petty
Name something that nobody doesn't like.
Monkeys, bubbles, playgrounds, and monkeys blowing bubbles at a playground.
Kid-Friendly Fests
Diane and Ziggy are in charge of “Jerry’s Kid’s Camp” at this fest. These kind folks welcome little ones to partake in activities such as tie-dying, games, a parade and crafts. Craft donations are appreciated, and costume wearing is encouraged at Dead on the Creek!
This fest, a great Memorial weekend getaway in Cumberland, Maryland, offers a multitude of activities for kids of all ages. The Kid’s Area offers arts and crafts, games and special musical performances throughout the weekend. Additionally, “Friends of Deckers Creek” comes out to increase watershed awareness in a fun way, and the “Allegany Arts Council” brings an arts bus along to provide for some unique, hands-on art experiences.
This year's HSMF will feature two options for families courtesy of the "Rockin' Nannies" Childcare service. The "Rockin' Slumber Party" will occur nightly from 8pm - 4am and will provide children with movies, snacks, games, crafts and lots of TLC in a secure and safe environment. Additionally, the "Superstar Treatment" pre-booked private care will cater to small groups within the RV and Family camping areas. Check "The Rockin' Nannies" out on Facebook, or on their website at www.therockinnannies.com
This California festival has a “Carnival Cove,” an enjoyable spot where the kiddies can play games, win prizes and pretend to take a walk on the moon in the bounce house!
Festivarians love to bring their kids to this festival located in gorgeous Telluride, Colorado. Telluride provides a multitude of family-friendly activities including a family tent, shows by the Living Folklore Clowns, juggling lessons, hula-hoop decorating with Betty Hoops, the “Jammin’ Jim Show”, Diablo lessons, a kids’ parade, and last, but certainly not least, the kids talent show. Phew! Those kids are going to have a busy weekend!
Vibes features a “Kid’s Corner” that offers a spot for youngsters and their parents to chill that is within ear’s reach of the main stage. Additionally, the “Teen Scene” offers this age group a chance to receive some musical instruction or just to jam with one another. In year’s past, our Best Guest at the Fest, Mike Turk has been in charge of making this a great home base for musically-inclined youth.
This West Virginia festival on Marvin’s Mountaintop has a limited-capacity designated camping area for families with kids under 12 only. In addition, there is a Kids Play Area with a schedule of activities that occur throughout the weekend. Just like many other fests, All Good also offers a Family Camp/Quiet Camp for those who prefer sleep to the late-night set.
Coloring outside the lines in encouraged in Denton, Texas at this springtime festival. The Children’s Art Area offers an introduction to an array of mediums such as painting, sculpting, forging, designing, drawing, carving, and building. At the Children’s Art Tent kids can expressive their creativity with projects such as marble and mural painting, wood working, clay sculpting, tangram art, stamp art and collage to name a few. This tent is supported by 75 volunteers over the course of this two-day event.
Kids in Kentucky rock thanks to the Kids Village and a brand-spankin’-new playground at Terrapin Hill. This fest also offers the little ones special workshops and activities such as yoga, face painting, art projects, a kids’ parade, a hula hooping workshop and a drumming workshop!
Terrapin Hill also offers a great tip for parents on their site:
“It is recommended that you get wristbands for your kids at the gate and write your name and cell phone number on them. In the unfortunate event your child gets separated from you, we'll know how to contact you.”
Richardson, Texas’ arts and music festival has a special spot for kids with all kinds of games, activities and entertainment. Karaoke, a petting zoo, a sand pit and a rock wall are all available for non-stop sensory pleasure. Furthermore, children can observe over 150 native Texas butterflies and a display of the monarch butterfly metamorphosis the the Live Butterfly Habitat, or enjoy hula hooping, bounce house, a petting zoo, and a sand pit.
Celebrate the 4th of July in Oxford, Maine with the whole family thanks to Nateva Festival! If you decide to bring the kids, fill out the “child pre-registration form” available on the fest’s website. This will help with coordination efforts to assure that you and your child will have your best festival possible. Nateva offers a large number of options such as children’s entertainers, a kids’ magic show, puppet making with Ash Street Puppet Works, carnival rides and specific bands for the kids. Andy “The Music Man” Morse and Friends also perform an interactive musical show daily at the Kids’ Club.