We Asked a Bunch of Bands About Their Kids For Father’s Day
Father's Day is one of the most special times of the year for a father and his kids. It's a day to devote your time to each other, opening special gifts, sharing laughs, memories and fun times. For a full-time musician, however, the father/child dynamic can prove to be difficult at times with many days and months spent on the road. However, there's a plus side: Being able to share your artistic creativity (whether it be your own tunes or somebody else's) with your little ones is a truly wonderful phenomenon.
Since we love music and we think dads are pretty cool, too, we asked a bunch of members of bands we like about their kids and how they factor into their music careers – even what they listen to. You might be surprised to read what some 6 year-olds are listening to nowadays. This feature is dedicated to our writer's own father, Antwan Haskoor, who can rock out pretty hard on the accordion and whose listening repertoire consists of, well, primarily Arabic music, Kenny Rogers and Train, but still introduced him to and taught him how to enjoy music, just like so many of these kids.
Being able to hear these artists profess their love for their young ones really unearths the source behind a lot of the passion that drives their music. It proves why the blood, sweat and tears of being a musician is all worth it in the end for so many bands.
Sam Amidon
How have your kids factored into your music career?
It is a wild scene having kids and being a musician. But when they are small, they are very portable and you can bring them with you. And then when they get older, they have more strength and they can help you carry your instruments.
Do your kids like your music? What do they listen to?
Nancy, who is 8, used to be into Kate Bush, David Bowie and John Lennon, but now she just wants to listen to Thriller by Michael Jackson. I guess she has gone from the '70s to the '80s. My son, Arthur, is almost 4, and I am training him to hear the difference between Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. His favorite band is the Beatles, like all 3-year-olds throughout history and into the future.
'Fat' Mike Burkett, NOFX
How have your kids factored into your music career?
NOFX have never toured for longer than three weeks because that's about as long as we can stand to stay away from our kids. Also, I've really toned down my lyrics over the past few years because I'm scared my daughters might find out that I'm a whacked-out cocaine user that spends his spare time in a cage in a dungeon while eating ramen. Just kidding. I mean about eating ramen.
Do your kids like your music? What do they listen to?
My kids do like my music, but they wouldn't be caught dead listening to it while I'm around. My 10 year-old has a playlist I made her that has songs that are appropriate for 10 year olds to hear. Out of the 300+ NOFX songs, there are about 15 that I let her listen to.
Andrew Low, the Jazz June
How has your daughter factored into your music career?
My girl, Annie, is only four weeks old, but already I am starting to think about music in a totally different way – like, as a celebration of life rather than as an outlet for anger and frustration. Maybe it's just that I don’t have the luxury of soaking in the existential things that swash around in my head anymore because I have to get up and figure out how to stop making her cry. It’s funny because we played a matinee on our last tour and all the Jazz June guys brought their kids. I had to do a bit of editing to some of my songs because the average age of the audience was about 3 years old, and I remember thinking how depressing some of my lyrics are. I'm not saying that we are going to write summery, beach cruising tunes from now on, but I think she has given me a better perspective on the long game of life. My girlfriend is really supportive of my musical endeavors, so I don't see it limiting the amount of music I play.
Does she like your music? What does she listen to?
Again, she is only a month old, but my girlfriend plays her the Jazz June songs and she doesn’t cry, so maybe she likes it? She is into really minimal stuff like the sound of the sink turned on, so I think she is going to be into experimental noise rock when she gets older.
Anthony Raneri, Bayside
How has your daughter factored into your music career?
My daughter has factored into my music career mostly in my lyric writing. Since becoming a dad, I see the world as a much bigger and complicated place. A lot of my songs in the past focused on isolated incidents and people that were bothering me and seemed important at the time. Becoming a parent has made me see the world as a much bigger place and it causes you to brush off a lot of things that used to feel big because comparatively, they're not anymore. I write more about the world as a whole and the concepts that were really underlying in those situations that I used to write more about now.
Does she like your music? What does she listen to?
My daughter loves to hear me sing and play guitar but she hasn't gotten to a point where she gets real excited if my music is on. I think it's too loud for her. She prefers when we're sitting on the couch with acoustic singing together.
Todd Bell, Braid
How have your kids factored into your music career?
It has made it harder for sure. The biggest part for me is leaving home. I have two kids and miss them like crazy. Now that my daughter is almost 4, she is very aware of the band and that I'm leaving to play shows. My 3-month-old, not so much. That is the heartbreaking part, having your kid tell you they don't want you to leave them. When they're little and don't have a clue you are going anywhere, it definitely made it a little easier. You still miss them, but it isn't so sad. I also find myself doing less dumb things while I'm away and making better choices – I've got a family waiting for me when I get back.
Do your kids like your music? What do they listen to?
The older one who is almost 4 recognizes some of the artwork and songs and will ask about them. She'll ask, "Is this your band?" She's right most of the time or it's something similar-sounding. She likes the song, "No Coast," off our last record. Otherwise, it's a lot of what we listen to in the car. I still make a lot of mix CDs, so it's a bunch of different stuff. Things that come to mind she likes: Two Door Cinema Club, the Big Pink and Low mixed in with Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. I'm constantly playing records at home so my daughter asks a lot of questions. She asked me about the Dickies the other day. She recently discovered the Go Go's, so, Beauty and the Beat has been in constant rotation lately which makes me happy.
Eddie Reyes, Taking Back Sunday
How have your kids factored into your music career?
Being a dad inspires me when I write music. I think my kids also give me more reasons to do this.
Do your kids like your music? What do they listen to?
My kids know what I do and do enjoy my music. They watch me a lot on you tube. They like pretty much everything I like music wise. I'm a metal and hardcore kid. I love bands like Napalm Death and Quicksand and I'm also a big fan of the Joy Formidable and Ghost.
Steve Hewitt, Love Amongst Ruin
How have your kids factored into your music career?
My daughter started touring with me when she was 3 years old and has been pretty much brought up in the music business. I think, to have your kids around you whilst you conduct your very abnormal job reminds you constantly why you decided to pursue this art form in the first place. Not only have you, yourself, probably broken the mold in terms of many family generations but, in doing so, it has to now become a natural choice for your kids should they choose to follow in your footsteps. And what a future the music industry has become within the modern family for all present and future generations. To look at this now and see how the world has changed its view on music is remarkable, accepting and very positive for our kids.
Do your kids like your music? What do they listen to?
When it comes to my Daughter Emily, she's a soul music girl. I constantly send her a Jimi Hendrix album and a Led Zeppelin album every year for the last 20 years just to make sure that "the past sure is tense!," just to quote Beefheart. Then there's my son, Sly, who is 5 years old and loves Daddy's music. You can be in another room in the house when, suddenly, there is a blast of music from one of my albums and when you walk in he's going mental in front of the stereo. Consequently, every rock track that comes on the radio, Sly will say, "Is that you playing, Daddy?" It's too cute, man, but he's definitely gonna be a Rocker just like his old man.
Cyrus Bolooki, New Found Glory
How has your son factored into your music career?
Now that I'm a father, I think my passion for my career has grown. There's now yet another reason for me to continue to try and succeed in music – to not only do this for the New Found Glory fans out there, but also to help to provide for my family.
Does he like your music? What does he listen to?
My son is only a few months old, so it's a little tough to tell his tastes for music. However, he's definitely heard a lot of NFG music, both while he was in the womb and now ever since he was born, and I'd sure hope that he likes NFG. On a side note, my child has become pretty fond of a series of albums from Rockabye Baby. They take popular artists and albums and remake them into lullabies. My favorites are the Silverchair, the Beach Boys and the Beatles ones. While my wife was pregnant, when we would play any of these songs around her, our son would go absolutely nuts in the womb. I would definitely recommend it to expectant parents out there. Come to think of it, maybe there can be a NFG version sometime in the future.
Ian Grushka, New Found Glory
How have your kids factored into your music career?
I think that since I had children, the way that I think about everything has changed. Not just in my music career. Everything I do, is in some way for them. Deep down, I just want them to be proud of me and not resent me for being gone on tour a lot. But, in the same breath, I think the time I do spend with them becomes more special and we don't take it for granted.
Do your kids like your music? What do they listen to?
I never really sat down and straight out asked of they like NFG. I don't really listen to it at home, so not sure how much they actually know. I do know they're excited when we play shows near home. I also know they are confused why we aren't backstage at every other show we go to. Chloe likes Taylor Swift – she met her mom, but not her; Paramore – she loves having Hayley [Williams] do her makeup; and Ariana Grande – probably because we used to watch Victorious together. As for Oliver, he likes reading books and playing video games. So he probably likes the Super Mario Bros. theme song.
Luke Pabich, Good Riddance
How have your kids factored into your music career?
Traveling to play shows is bittersweet. It's an amazing experience to be able to travel and play shows, but it is also heartbreaking to be away from my kids. Scheduling can be very difficult, but I'm fortunate to have a supportive wife and parents who can hold everything together while I'm away. Having the ability to Facetime or Skype with my kids while away also makes things a bit easier. As a father, there is an inherent desire to do your best for your kids, so this does help inspire what I do.
Do your kids like your music? What do they listen to?
Yes, there is nothing more awesome than hearing your kids sing along to one of our songs. Young kids will listen to and enjoy any music so, unlike myself, they can appreciate anything from Taylor Swift to Slayer.
Billy Shaddox
How have your kids factored into your music career?
My two sons are a big part of my life and my career. They have inspired songs in me and whenever possible I try to take them on the road. Most of all, I want to be an example for them to show that you can do anything with your life and that true fulfillment is found when you follow your heart into something.
Do your kids like your music? What do they listen to?
My kids like my music and nothing make me happier than when they want to listen to my songs or when I stumble on them singing one of my songs. They listen to all kinds of music, some stuff that is way outside of my tastes and some things that are close to home. My 4 year-old loves Johnny Cash and my 6 year old loves everything from Presidents of the United States of America to Redfoo to Freddie Mercury.