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By Jennifer Robertson
Space Cadet
Debutante (Kirtland Records)
Space Cadet is a portrait of unfairness — they’re a great band you haven’t heard of but should have, and their sophomore full-length, Debutante, is a great record you haven’t heard but should.
Even though the name of the band’s previous c.d. is Greatest Hits (oh, the irony), the quality of Debutante’s punk-pop may be worth an honest retrospective in the near future. The disc is chock full of catchy, head-bobbing tracks that are not the handiwork of novices. As an artist, veteran Denton-based singer-songwriter Ted Levin has grown exponentially.
Produced by Taylor Tatsch (Ryan Cabrera, Jeff Price), Debutante traverses the same lyrical terrain as just about every other pop-punk outfit, including All-American Rejects and locals 41 Gorgeous Blocks, but Space Cadet manages to make the expected sound surprising.
The big hit of the disc is a cover. Unfortunate, yes. But good, very good. While Levin doesn’t have a raspy voice, his cooler-than-thou delivery helps him pull off a great version of Kim Carnes’ 1981 classic “Bette Davis Eyes.” Local alt-rock radio outlets have even taking a liking to it. Pretty fly for some Denton guys. — - Ft. Worth Weekly
Discography
Self Titled EP (2000)
Propulsion EP (FFroe Records - 2002)
Greatest Hits (Trauma Records - 2003)
Debutante (Kirtland Records - 2005)
Closest Thing to Closure (Kirtland Records - 2007)
Photos
Bio
Space Cadet’s sophomore release on Kirtland Records, Debutante is a thoughtful and timely tribute to the American Princess of today. A collection of works inspired by frontman Ted Levin’s troubled relationship with a girl who wanted more in life than the struggling singer could provide. “There is such an emphasis on financial and material success brainwashed into girls today. It makes it tough for someone like me, pursuing my dream of having the world hear my music, to provide that kind of life.
The band enlisted producer Taylor Tatsch, (guitarist for Ryan Cabrera) to co-produce Debutante. Within a few months the band crafted 12 original tracks and a remake of 80s smash hit Bette Davis Eyes, originally recorded by Kim Carnes. Filled with unforgettable hooks and melodies, Debutante showcases Levins growth as songwriter. Joined by Brad Steiger (bass and vocals), Danny Knight (drums), and Aaron Long (guitar), the band also showcases their growth as musicians.
The new CD still maintains the bands ever present influence of ’70’s groups like, The Cars, David Bowie, and Cheap Trick. “I don’t want the sounds of today to ruin how I remember the sounds that shaped me as a writer growing up”. This can be clearly heard in SC’s first single, a remake of the 1981 classic, Bette Davis Eyes. “It was always one of my favorite songs as a kid and re-doing it seemed to fit perfectly with the whole ‘Debutante’ theme. I wanted to put our stamp on a song that was originally sung by a woman, and recorded with drum machines and synthesizers.
And put their stamp on in it, they did. Kids who have never before heard the song, listened to it on our My Space site. They come out to the shows and say something like I love that Betty Boop song. They have no idea who Bette Davis is. They think shes an ex-girlfriend of mine Im singing about, which I find very amusing.
On the road with Space Cadet, you never know what will happen. One night our drummer threw a broken stick across the stage the stick hit our guitar player in the neck! I looked over at him and there it was, just protruding out of his neck. It was the strangest thing. He pulled the stick out and blood starting spurting all over the place. We had to stop the show for a while, but surprisingly he was OK and I finished the night with an acoustic set.
With the release of Debutante, Space Cadet will continue its intense performance schedule. Over the past two years the band has shared the stage with artists like Bowling For Soup, All-American Rejects, Default, Trust Company, Oleander, The Burden Brothers, Stroke 9, Edgewater and the 03 & 04 Vans Warped Tour.
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