By: Kristi Hetchler
Minnesota indie pop group Bad Bad Hats will once again be performing at the High Noon Saloon. With a name inspired by children's franchise Madeline and the Bad Hat character, and a new pop edge, Bad Bad Hats' is well suited to its quirky yet sincere position as one of the Minnesota music scene's darlings. Who else would make a music video co-starring a bowl of salad?
Bad Bad Hats is comprised of Kerry Alexander, Chris Hoge, Connor Davidson and formerly, Noah Boswell (bassist). Lightening Round was his last work with the band, as he moves forward with graduate school. Davidson began playing drums on Lightning Round, and after became a new permanent member of the band. Bad Bad Hats was formed at Macalester College in Minnesota. Alexander and Hoge first formed a duo after finding each other's demos on myspace. The band has now grown to releasing their second album, Lightning Round, and touring the country.
Key to their appeal, as always, is the sincerity in each of Alexander's lyrics, always heard clearly over the song, even when the music builds in intensity below it. Lightning Round is more subdued than the intensity of Psychic Reader, their 2015 album, which demands attention with songs like Shame. Lightning Round is also a pivot towards a more synth-pop sound, with lighter effects and hovering choruses, like on the song Makes Me Nervous. There is a Fleetwood Mac influence on the album, that can be heard in tracks like 1-800. The album was produced by Brett Bullion, who had the band record in the studio live. The album sounds terrific for it, the openly sensitive Alexander and the lush keyboards sounding not unpolished but still vulnerable to the listener. The LP is full of love songs, a topic that never wears out it's welcome because of the complex emotions the band brings to it in every song. Standout track Nothing Gets Me High is a prime example of how the album is tinged with dissatisfaction and discomfort. Similar feelings come out in the track Girl, which focuses in on unreciprocated feelings.
Their 2018 performance was described as having “endearing stage banter” and “infectious joy”, making catching Bad Bad Hats on Friday sound even more appealing. Bad Bad Hats will be performing at the High Noon Saloon on March 6th, with doors opening at 8:30 pm and the show at 9:30 pm. The performance is limited to ages 18+.
