ABSTRACT
How does a band that was founded in opposition to the seriousness of the California punk scene rise to fame with songs and a live show that would seem more appropriate for a children’s audience? This chapter focuses on the influences on the Aquabats, their artistic development, and their use of childlike humor and play to build a devoted cult following and a respectable television audience. Drawing on interviews, Huizinga’s concept of play, and Debord’s work on spectacle, this chapter argues that the Aquabats, particularly in live performance, create a space where their audience can play, have fun, and relive and reconsider childhood memories. The chapter also discusses the role of music in performances that are intended primarily to be humorous.
