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Black Kids

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What? In its snappy 15 minutes, the shambolic pop of veritable buzz behemoth Black Kids‘ debut EP, Wizard of Ahhhs (released for free via the band’s MySpace page in August ’07), leaves no doubt as to what spurred all the blog salivation. And “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You,” the MVP of dance fiestas for the better part of a year that topped the extended-player, now arrives packaged with the band’s debut full-length, Partie Traumatic, out July 22. Absurdly catchy — from the cherry chapstick-coated kiss of “Hit the Heartbrakes” to the Morrissey-on-a-sugar-high singalong “Love Me Already” — the new album is sure to leave fingerprints on the repeat button across the indie-rock realm.

Who? Black Kids are Christian-rock vets Reggie Youngblood (guitar/vocals) and his younger sister Ali (keys/backing vocals), plus Owen Holmes (bass), Dawn Watley (keys), and Kevin Snow (drums). Formed in Jacksonville, FL in 2006, the quintet have — after breaking out last year both in the U.S. and across the pond — toured nearly ceaselessly, and currently are on the European summer festival circuit. Stateside fans can get their fill of the Kids in September and October.

Fun Fact: Black Kids have a penchant for covers, tackling tunes by the likes of Beat Happening (“You Turn Me On”) and Sophie B. Hawkins (“Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover”), both of which are B-sides to the “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You” single.

Kevin Snow’s summer playlist:

1. “Sunny Afternoon,” the Kinks
2. “The Sun Always Shines On T.V.,” a-ha
3. “The Sun Goes Down and the World Goes Dancing,” the Magnetic Fields
4. “Sunshowers,” M.I.A.
5. “Steal My Sunshine,” Len
6. “Sun Hits The Sky,” Supergrass
7. “Sunset Beach,” the Teenagers
8. “Mambo Sun,” T. Rex
9. “Blister in the Sun,” Violent Femmes
10. “Longtime Sunshine,” Rivers Cuomo

Now Hear This:“I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You”