Long have I been dreading the day. The day when I would discover a new trend and think, “Kids these days!” Methinks this day has come.
Now, look, I’m only 25. 25 = not old. I realize that. But I just can’t help but feel that way sometimes. or at least feel like I’m gradually stumbling my way there.
I caught wind of this new Family Force 5 single that was releasing exclusively through Target called “Keep The Party Alive.” So I went to Target and sought it out. I was dismayed (and irritated) that it was an EP of six FF5 songs for $5.99, three of which are on Dance or Die and two of which are on Dance or Die With A Vengeance. So basically, since I already have BOTH of these albums, buying that EP would be a waste of six bucks (as it most likely also would be for anyone who likes Family Force 5 enough to care about one new song). Needless to say, I put it back on the shelf and bought a bag of chips instead.
Some of that is irrelevant to the point I’m trying to make. Possibly all of it. Sorry. But in case you’re wondering, it’s this new brand called PopChips. They’re delicious.
I wondered why they had a single releasing already. John Reuben is releasing a new single per month for four months, but that’s because he has a new album coming out. But FF5 is still on the heels of a remix album, and they have a Christmas album coming out soon. I like FF5, but I don’t think I can handle this much of them. But come to find out, “Keep The Party Alive” is all part of this big Halloween ad campaign for Target and these things called Skelanimals.
Now I had heard the name “Skelanimals” before in association with FF5, but never put any research into it to see what it was. Well, JfH had a News Short with the promo video in it, so I watched it. And, unless I’m missing something, Skelanimals are just little cartoon animals that have all black bodies except for the skeleton of the animal. That’s it. Don’t get me wrong, they’re freakin’ adorable. But yeah, that’s all they are. And they’ve somehow become a sensation with emo kids, young kids (two ten-year-old-looking girls passed me by at Target wearing Skelanimal apparel while talking about their Skelanimal clothing and frantically searching for the Skelanimal section…no exaggeration) and they even have Skelanimal bands on their website. FF5 is included in that section, along with bands like Meg & Dia, Silverstein, Chiodos, and even As I Lay Dying (which may be the weirdest one to me. I mean, why would a metal band be all about some cutesy little animals?)
I’m not trying to sound angry, or be a jerk or anything. If you like these guys, that’s perfectly okay. I just would like someone to explain to me if there’s some validity in this, or if it’s just another passing fad like Trolls, Pogs and slap bracelets?
Or am I just getting old?