CBB Exclusive: Shaking It Up with Milkshake

If you think Milkshake is your average kids’ band, think again. Featured on Noggin’s Jack’s Big Music Show, PBS KIDS and Discovery Kids’ ToddWorld, Milkshake is creating super cool music for kids (and parents!) to rock out to. CBB traveled to Baltimore, MD for an exclusive interview with Mikel Gehl and Lisa Mathews, leaders of Milkshake, along with fellow band members Tom Moon, Michael “Shepp” Sheppard, Brian Simms and Cord Neal. Very rowdy at times, never boring, the guys (and gal) of Milkshake are truly just a bunch of kids at heart. Photography: Gabbeli Photography (www.gabbeliphotography.com)Hair & Makeup: Douglas Martucci Click below for the photos and interview. How did Milkshake come to be? Mikel: Lisa and I met almost 20 years ago. I ran an ad in the 'Village Voice' looking for a singer for my band, Love Riot. It was 80’s New Wave glam rock. [Pictured below.] Lisa:  I lived in an apartment in the Village, had purple hair, but I loved the music and lyrics that Mikel was creating. He talked me into moving to Baltimore, which is where we live today with our families. How did Love Riot become Milkshake?Lisa: I was always a singer/songwriter, and as such, you’re always changing styles. We never wanted a style of music to limit us. As Love Riot, we were doing great. We were booked months ahead, touring the country, opening up for acts like Sarah McLachlan and 10,000 Maniacs. Mikel: Then, one day when we were driving on the NJ Turnpike, Lisa turned to me and said, “Mikel, guess what? I’m pregnant and the doctor thinks it’s best for me to stop performing right now!” Lisa: Music is a constant evolution and since I had a baby, I began creating songs for my daughter, Jesse. And Mikel started his own family, too. Milkshake is a result of where we were at a particular point in our lives. When did the other band members come into play?Lisa: I wanted to do a rock band for kids, and for that, we needed a full band. At the time, there wasn’t a lot of rock

Published: 2008-01-24 Provider: Celebrity Baby Blog Keywords: CBB Exclusive, Interviews, Kid photos, News, Quotable quotes