Those Black Kids are all right

Florida buzz band doesn’t care what you think of their ‘challenging’ name

PROFILE. Black Kids. Any way you look at it, it’s a contentious handle. But that’s just the way this much buzzed about group from Jacksonville, Fla., likes it.

“It’s like our music — challenging,” says Black Kids singer and guitarist Reggie Youngblood. “The fact that it bothers some people isn’t a bad thing. It’s a litmus test. If you have a problem with it, we probably don’t want you around anyway.”

Bold words from the seemingly mild and thoughtful 27-year-old Youngblood, who  formed the multiracial dance rock band almost three years ago with his younger sister Ali (vocals, keyboards) and fellow local musicians Dawn Watley (keyboards, vocals), Owen Holmes (bass) and Kevin Snow  (drums).

“Owen, Kevin and I have all been in bands around Jacksonville for years, but this is the first time we’ve all been in the same one at the same time,” explains Youngblood.

“I don’t think Dawn’s been in a band before, and it’s the first time I’ve played with my sister. That’s not completely OK,” he adds of this sibling inclusion. “We don’t hang out. If we weren’t playing music, we probably wouldn’t see much of each other.”

They’ve certainly seen a lot of each other lately. Black Kids haven’t been home all year thanks to a  busy touring schedule, and it’s likely to stay that way.  Their sudden rise to public and media attention started last year,  after the band offered a free download of the Cure-meets-Bloc Party influenced “Wizard of Ahhhs” EP via their Web site.  The ensuing buzz eventually  landed them a deal with Columbia Records, which will release the band’s debut album, “Partie Traumatic,” on July 22. The album was recorded with former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler as producer, a savvy pop pairing if ever there was one.

“That was the first time we had worked with a producer, and I don’t want to work with anyone else [but Butler] ever again,” gushes Youngblood, somewhat starstruck. “When we recorded the EP there were painful moments where we’d just look at each other not knowing what the answer was. Bernard had those answers. I loved Suede as a teenager;  I loved Bernard’s solo stuff, too. When someone suggested we work with him I just said, ‘Yes, please.’” 

Cut Copy
with Black Kids and Mobius Band
Tonight, 8
The Paradise
967 Comm. Ave., Boston
MBTA: Green B Line to
Pleasant St.
SOLD OUT