8:30am | While there are many options available for local parental units this Saturday, perhaps one of the most interesting is a rare appearance at 1 PM by The Amoeba People at the newly opened Gatsby Books, located on the North side of Spring, just East of Bellflower.
Hailed by the likes of the legendary Dr. Demento, and greeted with screams (of delight) by younger audiences, their humorous stage antics, compelling lyrics, and excellent musicianship are most pleasing to adults as well.
Let us now meet The Amoeba People.
Sander: Who are The Amoeba People?
Mr. Hedgpeth: We are musical ambassadors from the planet Crouton, here to learn about Earth’s natural history, its codes of social conduct, and of course, its dance moves.
Sander: And what, pray tell, have you learned about Earth?
Mr. Hedgpeth: That children are, by far, the most curious component of the human spectrum. They remind us of ourselves.
Sander: Your songs seem to be full of information. Why is that?
Mr. Hedgpeth: The Earth is full of fascinating information, yet music for kids often focuses on more trivial matters like the concoction known as peanut butter and jelly. We just want to expand the range of music for kids and what it can be about.
Sander: Are you concerned that personifying vegetables may discourage their consumption by children?
Mr. Hedgpeth: [laughs] I hope not! I’m a vegetarian! But maybe it will get kids to seek out the work of Jimmy Durante, star of stage and screen. I’ve heard more about the use of the word “esoteric” in that song [The Ballad of Toshi the Turnip] than I have of personifying vegetables, so you at least have got me thinking.
Sander: This is a concern parents have raised about “Veggie Tales.”
Mr. Hedgpeth: Well, The Amoeba People universe is not solely inhabited by vegetables. We have also personified office supplies, and we doubt that will discourage their use in the workplace.
Sander: Actually, I’ve put my stapler outside.
Mr. Hedgpeth: It has begun!
Sander: Do you find that there’s a certain age that connects most profoundly with your message?
Mr. Hedgpeth: Surprisingly, the over 50 crowd has been as enthusiastic as school age kids! My own children are 5 and 8 and they’re obviously into it. But we have received positive feedback from kids of all ages, though preschoolers seem to prefer dancing over parsing the complexities of the lyrics, which is OK with us.
Sander: Dancing seems to be a significant component of your performance methodology.
Mr. Hedgpeth: Yes. Our show at Gatsby, however, will be more driven by storytelling, sound effects, and a bit of marching. But we’ll be dancing on the inside.
Sander: I notice that all of you tend to dress in a similar way. What is the meaning of your “uniform?”
Mr. Hedgpeth: When The Amoeba People first made contact with Earth, the first people they saw were the scientists at the M51 Records Laboratory, who were decommissioned by the government back in the early 1960s. However, these scientists were never informed that they were supposed to shutter their operation. So they have dutifully worked all these intervening years without updating their wardrobe or vernacular. The Amoeba People naturally assumed their attire.
Sander: Some of your songs have a great many words in them. Is it challenging to remember them all, and have them come out in the correct order?
Mr. Hedgpeth: Due to the absorbitive properties of our natural amoeboid forms, we seem able to recall the words in working order (for the most part).
Sander: Well, I think this may be the best interview I’ve ever conducted. Is there anything else you think our readers should know?
Mr. Hedgpeth: Yes! In our ongoing efforts toward peaceful world domination through music, storytelling, and sweet dance moves, we have recently discovered one of your legendary human disc jockeys (Mr. Dr. Demento) has recently played us on his show and has heartily recommended it to his listeners. This, though we are not prone to show emotion, has touched us deeply.
Also, our science-based audio cartoon (what you humans call a podcast) entitled “Dead Scientists!” recently hit the top 5 in the science category which surprised and flattered us. We have more episodes in the works.
Also, we have been to all corners of this galaxy, and we can honestly say Gatsby Books in Long Beach is the finest bookstore we have encountered. Mr. Sean Moor is a master.
Sander: Where can these audio cartoons be found?
Mr. Hedgpeth: In the iTunes store. It can be found in the podcast menu under the science and medicine category. Or iTuners can simply do a search for Dead Scientists and it will pop up. It’s free! Or humans can go to m51records.com and listen to it there.
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So, there you have it: The Amoeba People performing at 1 PM this Saturday, at Gatsby Books, located at 5535 E. Spring St. Ample parking is available behind the store, in the very large parking lot. While you’re there, be sure to check out the portrait of Jacques Derrida on the wall behind the counter.