The Muldoons - Tomorrow's Rock Stars

No matter how I write about The Muldoons, it’s going to make someone unhappy. The reason is because two out of the three members are under the age of 12. Yes, that’s right. It’s a family affair – two brothers, Shane (8-years-old – vocals/guitar) and Hunter (11-years-old - guitar), backed by their father, Brian (46-years-old), on drums. See, if I say it sucks, people are going to think I’m picking on a couple of kids. If I say it’s good, people are going to think I’m taking it easy on them because they’re kids. So be it.

Overall, it sounds like a mediocre punk band with a chick singer. However, for their age, it’s fantastic. Would I listen to it without knowing anything about the band? Probably not. Should I listen to it because I know something about the band? Definitely.

The record was produced and recorded by Jack White. You see, Jack White and Brian Muldoon had a band together back in the day called The Upholsterers. Evidently, they’re still friends, and Jack even allowed the kids to borrow one of his stolen guitar licks (from “Pain [Gimme Sympathy]” - originally by Jack Starr) for The Muldoons’ first single, “Driver’s License”. White also did The Muldoons the favor of letting them debut live at a The White Stripes concert in Detroit last year. Since then, The Muldoons have done a few shows, including opening for SSM at their record release last weekend, opening for The Raconteurs, and also a live gig on the renowned Jersey City radio station, WFMU. Thank you, Uncle Jack.

The recording is purposely rough and everything else is as simple as you would expect, but if these kids can keep at it, by the time they’re both in high school, they’re going to be pretty fucking remarkable. For now, I’d buy the four-song single from Cass Records as a novelty, if nothing else, and look for another release at the end of the summer, produced by Brendan Benson.

The Muldoons - Driver's License
The Muldoons - Agitated (live on WFMU)
The Muldoons - live at Magic Stick in Detroit (from Cass Records)