Alt-rock punk trio Residual Kid is a loud and rambunctious force to be reckoned with in Austin’s jam-packed music scene. The trio of Deven Ivy and brothers Ben and Max Redman are multi-talented, each taking turns singing, drumming and playing guitar. They also have a mean stage presence, Ben is ferocious on drums, while Max and Deven thrash around on stage, truly enjoying what they are doing. And we, the audience, are right along for the ride, enjoying every minute of it.
Residual Kid teamed up with Austin psychedelic prog rock band The Boxing Lesson for a mini-tour of Texas last weekend, which began with a free show at Hotel Vegas on East Sixth Street. Both bands work with legendary producer Frenchie Smith at The Bubble in Austin. Smith doesn’t just take on any act, so that’s saying something big.
Residual Kid started the show off with a set that was, in the simplest terms, pure, fun, energetic rock and roll. Their music has more than a tinge of grunge with a huge heaping of pure adrenaline. Sonic Youth, early Nirvana and even Hole came to mind as they rocked out on their seemingly huge guitars. It took me back to the early-to-mid ’90s, wearing flannel and jamming out to the grunge greats on my Sony Discman. And I’m quite sure I’m not the only one.
Their performance also garnered some stares and amazement from onlookers passing by Hotel Vegas, and many of them came in to enjoy the show.
You see, the guys who make up Residual Kid aren’t even old enough to drive. Deven, Ben and Max are 14, 13 and 12, respectively. To hear them rock is downright amazing. At an age when I still playing with barbies, these guys are spending their youth playing live shows, laying down tracks with Frenchie, making a music video for their upcoming single “Friend” and going on a mini-tour of Texas with The Boxing Lesson.
And that’s not even the biggest news for Residual Kid. The trio will be playing Fun Fun Fun Fest in early November and following that up with a free show after Blondie and Devo play Stubbs in September. And yes, they do know who Blondie and Devo are!
I met up with them before their set at Hotel Vegas and it was immediately apparent how much these guys love to rock. ”We are playing with Refused at Fun Fun Fun Fest!” the guys exclaimed in unison after revealing the hardcore band, along with Nirvana, as their main influences.
As far as the future goes, the boys are living in the now, but do hope for one thing in particular, “We want punk to come back!“ The influence and passion for lightning speed guitar riffs and fast-paced vocals is evident in their sound.
The guys have a few “dream” acts they would love to play with, including, of course Refused. However, they threw out a few surprising names, in jest. “We want to play with Michael Bolton and White Snake.” These guys have a sense of humor. Residual Kid know they wouldn’t be on the fast track without their fans. “Happy birthday to all our fans out there!” joked the trio. “Keep coming out and we love you guys!“
Following their set, the boys hobnobbed with the likes of Frenchie and other members of his rock stable. Ben then took the drums for evening’s headliner, The Boxing Lesson. The story goes something like this: The Boxing Lesson’s call for a drummer ended up with the 13-year-old in Paul Waclawsky and Jaylinn Davidson’s kitchen playing alongside them like he’d always been there. As a fan, he already knew all of their songs. He killed his first gig as with the band and will did double duty with both bands during the remaining two shows of their mini-tour.
Residual Kid are truly a force to be reckoned with in the rock scene and I can’t wait to catch them again. You should too.
Look out for their upcoming EP and check out the pics of Residual Kid and The Boxing Lesson on vivogig.com.
Upload your gig pics of Residual Kid to vivogig today.
July 31st, 2012
Great post about three musicians who will definitely go far. Nice work Shannon!
August 14th, 2012
Thanks Greg!