Baltimore's only hard rock children's band?
Late last year, members of Baltimore's Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad were looking for new gigs and trying to reach a new audience.
But Baltimore is only so big, and DMFS was pretty lewd, which was pretty limiting.
So, in a stroke of genius/madness, the guys in DMFS decided to start moonlighting as Baltimore's only hard rock children's band. They called themselves the Hilltop Hightops (pictured), recorded an album of children's music and started booking gigs.
Here's a piece I did on them which ran in yesterday's paper.
It's a hilarious little saga. In fact, if you remember, DMFS guitarist Ryan Graham wrote a little about it a few months ago ...
DFMS wears these bizarre costumes (like a horse head, or a mad scientist getup) when they play live. They decided to use the same outfits for the Hilltop Hightops. They kept the same songs, too. The only things they changed were their lyrics.
For example, the tune "You're Too Skinny" became "I Like Kitties."
Hee hee.
(Photo courtesy of the Hilltop Hightops)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
So they took the premise of Z Rock and made it their own? If it wasn't a rip off of a TV show it'd be brilliant. As it is, it's a brilliant rip off.
Posted by: brstevens | July 20, 2009 8:25 AM
Love the DMFS, but I think you were trying to say "lewd", not lude.
Posted by: bonnie | July 20, 2009 9:47 AM
Bah! I did it again. I make that mistake all the time. Fixed.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | July 20, 2009 9:48 AM
Awesome article, Sam! I especially love the quote from Brian Schupe. Mike's rant about profanity is hilarious, too.
Brstevens, we didn't know about Z Rock, but thanks for the link! Looks like a funny show, although it looks like they ripped off Flight of the Conchords! Hahaha.
Posted by: Ryan Graham | July 20, 2009 10:10 AM
If you're not watching Z Rock by the way, you're missing out. That show is hi-larious.
Coincidentally, the rock-based ZO2 is playing July 23 at Sonar. I plan on going just for the heck of it.
Good luck Hightoppers.
Posted by: duffster | July 20, 2009 12:04 PM