Big D and the Kids Table are a band I’ve heard many times, being a favourite ska-punk band on my list. So when I found out they were releasing a new album, I was very excited!
From Boston, Massachusetts, US, ska-punk band Big D and the Kids Table originally formed back in 1995, changing members over the years and now celebrating their 30th year. The current lineup is as follows: David McWane on vocals, Alex Stern on guitar, Ben Basile on bass, Alex Brander on drums, Ryan O’Connor on tenor saxophone, Logan La Barbera on trombone, Paul Halpainy on trombone, Matt Appleton on tenor and baritone saxophone, and Casey Gruttadauria on organ.
The Good Ole American Saturday Night hit our streaming platforms on 12th June 2026 via SideOneDummy Records, with 14 tracks, some of which feature guest vocals by The Doped Up Dollies. The album was produced by Joe Gittleman and Matt Appleton, and engineered by Matt Appleton at Mad Oak, MA and The Station, VT.
The band released their first single, ‘Whiplash’, on 25th March 2026. Second single ‘Right Now’, featuring The Doped Up Dollies, followed on 28th April 2026, and latest single ‘Scatterbrain’ arrived on 27th May 2026, the same day the band announced their North American tour.
“I’m so old school that I had ADHD before they added the ‘H’!” says frontman Dave McWane. “When I was in 2nd grade the teachers & school didn’t know what to do with me. Why does he test so high in these subjects, but so low in these & why does he talk so much? So me, with a few other brave mutants, went to a school for kids like us, got tested endlessly and were always marginalized by the system. Today it gives me a careful smile when younger people come up to me and tell me that they have ADHD freely and nonchalantly. It’s beautiful to me. Though the same problem exists today and has been normalized — I don’t, and they don’t, have a ‘learning disability.’ They don’t have a ‘disorder.’ Obviously the person who titled these gifts didn’t have them. Everyone should start calling it ‘ATC’ — Attention To Creativity. That’s what ‘Scatterbrain’ is about.”
What a fun and catchy album this turned out to be! Very impressed with the upbeat ska rhythms and fast punk rock packing a punch. The brass sections are very pronounced in most of the tracks, giving it reggae vibes. Hypnotic, harmonising, energetic, loud and upbeat are just a few words to describe this album. I loved the whole thing so much that it was hard to choose my top tracks. I’ve managed to pick four, two of which are tied for the number one spot!
Firstly, ‘Right Now’ is the second track on the album. The Doped Up Dollies provide additional backing vocals here, making it so harmonising and melodic. I love the energy in this track; it’s so upbeat, bouncy and fun.
Title track ‘The Good Ole American Saturday Night’ is another the Doped Up Dollies provide backing vocals for, and their vocals are more pronounced this time. It’s storytelling at its finest, a typical Saturday night in America full of honesty and chaos.
‘Scatterbrain’ is one of my favourite tracks on the album for many reasons. It’s so relatable, being diagnosed with ADHD myself. Society labels neurodivergents as a flaw and treats us all so negatively, yet the band have turned this into something worth celebrating. It’s empowering, hopeful and honest. Its laid-back reggae groove and melodic expression make the track catchy, while still holding a lot of emotion and honesty within the lyrics.
And finally, ‘Slop’ is the fastest and heaviest track on the album. It’s another favourite for me for definite. You still get that upbeat ska rhythm, but the heavy and speedy punk rock attitude is more pronounced. This track packs a punch! You could both skank and mosh to it easily.
This whole album was such a treat to listen to! It’s another I’ll have on repeat for a while, especially my two favourite tracks. Give it a listen and hear for yourself the power of ska-punk!
