Cannibal Kids

It’s Saturday, 4th of July, roughly 12:00 PM. Kids, teens, college-level kids and parents are piling into the open concert venue under the hot, shining Florida sun. Gates were opened only about an hour ago, so everyone is still getting into the Warped Tour mood. Fortunately, thanks to Cannibal Kids, it won’t be hard. Having previously beat through the Battle of the Bands, the group takes place on the Ernie Ball Stage, and anyone who stays for their set soon sees it was a well-deserved.
They play a short set—as all bands on the Warped Tour do—but it is not lacking of any energy or passion. Quite the adverse, as a matter of fact. Cannibal Kids managed to turn heads of those walking by, and captivate a majority of them. Girls and boys alike swayed to the alternative tunes that bubbled out of the Hawaiian-shirted band member’s instruments. Between lyrics of running away with a beloved, and “oh oh oh oh oh ohh”-ings, the crowd’s screams of excitement and proclamations of lead singer-Damian’s sex appeal surely had on-lookers swearing everyone in the crowd was an old fan.
After ending with a crowd-interactive song, the band headed over to the backstage area for an interview. In the interview, they give a very vague and suspicious story as to the origin of their band name, and explain why it is that they’re able to mesh with each other to make groovy music.
Watch the full interview and game (of “This or That” below!) - Azaile Duque

Cannibal Kids video is finally done! It was fantastic interviewing this sweet and talented group. They are truly kind and dedicated to music as well as the hard work that comes with creating it. I see them going to great heights, and I'm proud to have had a day with them. Hope all of you enjoy the feature. - Diana Jasmine Moon

Surf Indie Rock is making a comeback and quick! Cannibal Kids, from Miami FL, dropped by the 93.5 THE BAR studio & I got a chance to talk to them about their new album release & winning their way on to the 2015 Vans Warped Tour stage in West Palm Beach, FL. - Crush on 93.5 The Bar

Cannibal Kids is a Miami based indie-pop band consisting of South Florida natives Damian Gutierrez, Dustin Diaz, Luke Faulkingham and Jordon Hernandez. The musical project started in 2014 as an attempt to recreate the surf rock sounds of the 1960s.

They describe their sound as alternative rock “with coastal indie-vibes.” Cannibal Kids said they were heavily influenced by bands likes Oberhofer and Local Natives.

With a humble beginning—playing at house parties—the band went on to perform at Vans Warped Tour in the summer of 2015 and garnered attention from SoundCloud releases such as Where Are The People and Graphing.

Cannibal Kids released their first LP, Bloom, on Oct 29.

The lead single Troubled Mind is an upbeat and sunny punk-inspired song. The surf rock influences are clear with lush guitar strumming and a thumping bassline.

Graphing has a funky 70s style guitar and ringing bells. To You, For You. From Me., a song about a failed relationship, is the most melancholy moment of the album. The darker, thoughtful lyrics contrast against the relatively upbeat mood of the song. My Boy/My Girl starts out with stripped-down guitar arpeggios, with hard-hitting drums in the chorus. The band’s Miami roots are evident in the final track of the album, Outro (I Will Always Love You).

The song, the album’s only genre switch, begins with the sound of crashing waves fading into a jazzy bossa nova-inspired melody. Overall, Bloom contains lyrical themes of young love, the ocean and heartbreak.

The songs are catchy, but often monotonous in style. The instrumentation, song structure and use of varying dynamics is consistent throughout each song.

Fans of bands like Two Door Cinema Club and Best Coast will enjoy this release. Though its sound is somewhat repetitive, Bloom is worth a listen for indie pop fans. - Martina Brady