Fatkid Dodgeball on High Street
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U Weekly - www.uweekly.com
article by Mandy Simon
If you’ve ever thought that eating 16 sliders from White Castle after 3 shots of Beam sounded like a good idea, or if watching fat kids play dodge ball sounds entertaining, then you already have something in common with Fatkid Dodgeball.
Rocking the Columbus, Athens and the Cleveland bar circuit, Fatkid is accruing fans from all over the state. Two lead guitars and harmonizing vocalists coupled with a deep bass presence give Fatkid fans what they want: a rocking show with compelling lyrics and actual musical talent to boot.
A long time in the making, the Fatkid Dodgeball name has an interesting history. Frank, lead vocalist and bass player, first thought of the name after his freshman year roommate used the expression, “If they wake up, I’m out like a fat kid in dodge ball.” Three years later the expression came up again while brainstorming, and the band decided that was the perfect fit to describe what the band’s about-- having fun. Their songs are melodic and catchy. You will find yourself singing about “Ohio Skies” while nuking your ramen noodles.
“Take Your Time,” another single from their upcoming album, includes a rap about White Castle, derived from guitarist Potts’ single days.
“We would go out and it would be like Night at the Roxbury. All my guys with gel, cologne, we’d be at a bar going, “What’s up, what’s up, what’s up.” Finally it would be 2:30 in the morning. We’d all just decide to go to White Castle. “If we don’t meet no girls, yo it ain’t no hassle me and my boys are goin’ down to White Castle.”
“I’m not trying to rap. We’re not being serious. But we want to rock, and we want people to approach us and talk to us. With the White Castle rap, it reminds people that they can talk to us.”
Though looking to branch out, Fatkid Dodgeball is still partial to their roots, exemplified in their “Ohio Skies” single that’s getting a lot of love on CD 101 and a little bit of love on other regional stations. To request the song on the radio, you can go to http://www.fatkiddodgeball.com and click on the links to local radio stations. They don’t expect fans in Michigan to request the song during football season.
Upcoming plans include a tour and CD release. Frank explains, “We’re in the process of a tour. It’s like a weekend warrior tour. Starting in mid-October, we’ll be heading out of Columbus, staying out on the road during the weekend coming home during the week to pay our bills.” They also expect to release their first album this November. Songs include “Get It,” the official song of the National Dodge Ball League, and “High Street,” named after our own well-trodden High Street. The new album promises a deeper rock and roll influence, and maturing lyrics. “When we first started out, the songs we wrote were more about girls, drinking, and partying. And throughout the past year or two, we’ve graduated college and did a lot of things we hadn’t done before. A lot of the writing is self-reflective on where you’re at in your life, and issues that are just a little more mature. It’s a song about walking down High Street, looking back at all the stuff you’ve done, where you’re going now, being confused, but feeling that everything will be okay.”
If you’re not into checking out new music, then I hope for your sake that Fatkid is playing at the next bar you frequent. Look for a CD in November, listen to music and find out where Fatkid Dodgeball is playing by logging onto http://www.fatkiddodgeball.com. |
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