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Big D and the Kids Table

The Gipsy Hill EP [2]
2002
Fork in Hand

Big D and the Kids Table - The Gipsy Hill EP [2] (Cover Artwork)

Review by: LifeoftheParty
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Published on March 31st 2006

Big D and the Kids Table, a seven-piece ska band from the great Boston, Massachusetts scene, released The Gipsy Hill EP in 2002, a perfect followup to the deservedly hyped and third-wave classic Good Luck (1999). Although it only has nine songs, Gipsy Hill is a must-have for any Big D fan. This EP features three covers and demonstrates why they’re one of Boston’s best ska bands.

Gipsy Hill starts off with fan-favorite “Checklist.” This song displays what Big D and the Kids Table is all about: great horn lines, dissing the rich, and captivating and amusing lyrics. “I must've started life with a checklist,” Dave McWane sings, “I took the rules and broke 'em in two. I must've started life with a checklist and the first was not giving in like you.” The song is a staple in the band’s set list and is worth checking out, if you haven’t already. The next song, “Evil Girl Angry Girl,” is my favorite Big D song on the EP. This song just increases the momentum, and draws the listener into not just the song but the entire EP. The song is obviously about a teenage psycho who’s apparently using McWane’s “stardom” to gain respect on the scene, but this song also praises Big D’s crowds in Boston: “When the sun goes down with my Boston crowd … I’m staring at my friends hoping this will never end.”

When bands cover songs, the songs are usually either half-fast, not interesting, or not unique. Big D’s version of “Wailing Paddle,” however, is one of the best covers I’ve heard in a long time, a true third-wave classic. Big D made this song their own and makes listeners not think of it as a cover even if they are familiar with the Rudiments’ original version. The next track is entitled “Great Song,” the only instrumental song on the EP. Although not as great as the title suggests, it cannot be skipped -- even Mcwane’s famous “yeah”s.

“Those Kids Suck” stands at only 1:20 and introduces us to one of the EP’s dominant themes: Dave’s hate for posers. But “What the Hell Are You Going to Do” is only twelve seconds long, but with no horn lines and a non-existent chorus, this song still isn’t the most pointless song on the album. “Find Out (Brighton, UK)” holds the title of the Most Pointless Song Ever. A cover of one of Good Luck’s best songs, here it is Big D and others singing pretty much drunk. It doesn’t hold my interest at all, and is the only song I’d recommend always skipping over. The next song, “Scenester,” brings the EP right back to its high standard and one of its most common themes: posers. This, the most laid-back track on the album, is always a great listen on the subway to school and will give you a few laughs: “And now they listen to emotional music, when they used to like punk rock, or maybe now they like chump rock.” The song is still very relatable to this day, even if this EP is now four years old. The following song, “The Difference,” is probably the second best song on this EP. This is one of Big D’s most underrated songs of all-time and sums up the overall sound of the EP. I would like to see them include “The Difference” on their set list, as they rarely perform it anymore. The EP concludes with “New England,” a cover of a song by Massachusetts’ very own Jonathon Richman. Before they play, they introduce the song: “See I come from Boston…it’s about how great New England is…my favorite place.” Although it’s not that unique of a cover, it’s still done very well and rounds off the EP.

Known for being poor, for touring constantly, and for being a great live act, Big D and the Kids Table established themselves as one of Boston’s elite with Gipsy Hill. They can hold their own with other Boston greats: Dropkick Murphys, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the Explosion, the Unseen, A Wilhelm Scream, and the Click Five (haha, just kidding). Big D has become a common influence among local bands like In the Face (Lowell, Massachusetts), Bomb the Music Industry! (Long Island, New York), Chase Long Beach (Long Beach, California) and the Flatliners (Canada). Big D are preparing for the Frostbite Tour and will headline the annual Ska Weekend 2006 in Knoxville, TN. Seeing them three times, I highly recommend catching them on tour.

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 6:39 PM (EST)

Daly's Gone Wrong is terrible.

Posted by mcgregor107 on 2006-04-01 14:09:47

oh it is dave.. i was two feet away from you watching it happen!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 1:49 PM (EST)

The huge guy with the chops is not their sax player. He is the bass player.

Posted by i-type-poorly on 2006-04-01 12:57:45

"The EP concludes with “New England,” a cover of a song by Massachusetts’ very own Jonathon Richman. Before they play, they introduce the song: “See I come from Boston…it’s about how great New England is…my favorite place.” Although it’s not that unique of a cover"

Yes it is. Not only is that introduction a variation on Richman's intro to the original track, but Big D adds an extra verse at the end. They did their homework on the song and even added to it. I think thats pretty unique, compared to the average punk cover.

Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2006-04-01 11:53:39
My Score:

the review was not very well written, but big d and the kids table are great. probably one of the hardest working bands of today.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 11:47 AM (EST)

love the album, hate the review
scenester is my least favourite song in the world, and they play the difference about every second time i see them, so it's definitely still in their set list.

Posted by LifeoftheParty on 2006-04-01 10:18:54

April 8th!
FLAMING TSUNAMIS
BOMB THE MUSIC INDUSTRY!
DALYS GONE WRONG
THE STACKERS
RAZBARI SUMTHING

THIRD RAIL STUDIO
BROOKLYN, NY, $10
ADDRESS: 1549 63rd st, between 15th and 16th ave
SUBWAYS:Take the N to New Utrecht, or D or M to 62 St

WHO'S GOING??? email or aim me at whitemudd423@aol.com for any other info, or if your bored

Posted by LifeoftheParty on 2006-04-01 08:58:41

when the sun goes down in this Allston town
my head in my hand, a beginning and an end
i'll sit and wonder, wonder if i ever really wanted it

when the sun goes down with my Boston crowd
while i'm staring at my friends hoping this will never end
i sit and wonder, wonder why she never really wanted it

those are the lyrics.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 3:04 AM (EST)
My Score:

I definately love this album, but does anyone else find it funny that the whole band looks like a bunch of band geeks except the huge frickin sax player with the chops?

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 1:14 AM (EST)
My Score:

David McWane:
Thoughs comments about 'stealing' from my band and a '15 girl' are not just not true.
Dave

Yay, now I know who typed up the liner notes for How It Goes!

-Chinatown

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 1:12 AM (EST)
My Score:

Yetch. I like the first and last tracks on this recording. Everything else is just filler. The Mad Caddies are just so much more talented and original. And, no, I'm not kidding. For some reason CrookedDick thinks I'm being sarcastic when I say how much I love the Caddies.

-Chinatown

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 12:53 AM (EST)

David McWane:

Thoughs comments about 'stealing' from my band and a '15 girl' are not just not true.

Dave

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 12:34 AM (EST)

“When the sun goes down with my Boston crowd … I’m staring at my friends hoping this will never end.”

NO YOU DORK

its

When the sun goes down in this ALSTON TOWN

Posted by mcgregor107 on 2006-03-31 21:47:37

i was at the frostbite tour in toronto, and the lead singer was hitting on this chick who looked like she was 15. but the best part was when he went to buy her a drink, didn't have any money, so he walks over to the merch. booth and steals ten bucks!

Posted by skaboom on 2006-03-31 18:11:56

Well this is why I like ska:

It's fun. It can be either high energy(Big D), or really mellow and laid back (Hepcat). It can be either silly and lighthearted (Reel Big Fish) or progressive (RX Bandits). Some ska bands have strong reggae influences (Pietasters) and some are pretty much pop-punk bands with horns (Less Than Jake).

People tend to pigeonhole the genre, but it has a lot of diversity. So what if it's not hip anymore. I don't mind, it keeps the trendy idiots away, and you know the bands that still play it do so because they love the music.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 5:55 PM (EST)

Yeah, fuck ska.

Yay crappy grind/crust/whatever instead, cause that sounds sooo good.

Crass....hahaha.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 5:39 PM (EST)

Congratulations Feeding5000, you have out-grown Ska. Ska music is sad for this happening, it valued your listenership, however it recognizes that you will be much happier listening to Yellowcard and Mae then you ever would have with it.

At least those preppy kids at your school have good taste in music. Cockfagdickass.

Posted by feeeding5000 on 2006-03-31 17:21:13

Why, why, why doe people still listen to Ska-Punk? I used to love ska, but now I just find it stupid. All the preppy kids at my school listen to ska, and there are like 5 ska bands in the area. It's completly pointless. You might as well start a fake SXE band...Also, the vocalist pisses me off.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 2:11 PM (EST)

Not interested in the album, but how much do you charge?

$10. $15 if you want me to swallow.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 12:39 PM (EST)

Wait...so Thirtyseconds is blowing dudes for quick cash? What's the wait like?

Posted by kingofpain on 2006-03-31 12:19:54

"Probably their worst release."

I think most would give that honor to the Salem Girls EP.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 12:10 PM (EST)

Probably their worst release. Three or four good songs, then some totally disposable rubbish.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 8:56 AM (EST)
My Score:

good review. much better than the last review on this album

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 8:27 AM (EST)
My Score:

I like this release but just can't get into anything else they've put out.

Posted by thirtyseconds on 2006-03-31 06:56:08

Anyone interested in buying a signed copy of this album? I need money and I'm tired of sucking dick.

Not interested in the album, but how much do you charge?

Posted by almostpunkenough on 2006-03-31 05:07:27
My Score:

probably Big D's best.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 2:45 AM (EST)

I don't know about them making the cover of Wailing Paddle their own. It sounds VERY similar to the Rudiments version. (still good though)

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 2:02 AM (EST)

Anyone interested in buying a signed copy of this album? I need money and I'm tired of sucking dick.

Posted by ElVaquero on 2006-03-31 01:55:50

"Checklist" is a skacore classic and the best song this band will ever do.

Posted by darkstarm on 2006-03-31 01:47:33

It really does have their best songs. "Checklist" and "Those Kids Suck" are both fucking amazing Skacore songs, hands down. This is their best release, in my opinion.

Posted by the_other_scott on 2006-03-31 01:20:31
My Score:

i guess i'm in the minority with this band. never really was a big ska fan.

Posted by kingofpain on 2006-03-31 01:13:38
My Score:

Great EP. This along with Shot By Lammi are what got me into the band.

Posted by allison_le_gnome on 2006-03-31 00:33:28

The next song, “Evil Girl Angry Girl,” is my favorite Big D song on the EP.

That song is fucking awesome.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 31, 2006 at 12:21 AM (EST)

Nice review, dude.

This is my favorite Big D disc, even though it's so short.

Posted by somegirl on 2006-03-31 00:07:43

These guys are great live. I really hope they tour in Florida soon.

Posted by Godfather on 2006-03-31 00:05:48
My Score:

i fucking love this album!

Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2006-03-31 00:04:28
My Score:

this is really a great ep. everyone should own it if they like skapunk at all

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

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Big D and the Kids Table