02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Everyone Wants to Be a Rock Star. Including These Comedians.
'What if we do a deep cut of Deep Purple?'
David Wain was throwing out suggestions for Middle Aged Dad Jam Band, a revolving group of comedic actors, writers and professional musicians he's been assembling since the Covid-19 pandemic. The group, based in Los Angeles, was in the midst of filming its latest session for YouTube. The actor Mather Zickel, 55, chimed in to offer 'Smoke on the Water.'
'I don't think that's a deep cut,' said Ken Marino, 56, cuing the guitarist Clint Walsh, 52, to crank the song's opening riff.
Middle Aged Dad Jam Band (MADJB) is a cover band whose core members comprise six actual middle-aged fathers and a teen. (Mr. Wain's 17-year-old, Henry, plays sax.) The band also features guest-star vocalists (like 'Weird Al' Yankovic, Uzo Aduba and Kristen Bell).
Though they have a versatile repertoire, MADJB is led by the filmmaker Mr. Wain ('Wet Hot American Summer') and the comic actor Mr. Marino ('Party Down,' 'The Other Two'), two veterans of the 1990s comedy troupe the State, along with the professional trumpeter and the band's manager, Jordan Katz. Mr. Wain, who grew up in Ohio, is the band's drummer and a self-described ''80s alt-music scene' guy. Mr. Marino, from Long Island, N.Y., skews more 'singer-songwriter, R&B and New Orleans artists like Dr. John and Walter 'Wolfman' Washington.' As is the Gen X way, Mr. Wain and Mr. Marino found the sweet spot where their tastes intersected: Billy Joel.
'I'm fulfilling a fantasy that I've had since I can remember,' Mr. Marino said. Though comedy and music may pair well, Mr. Wain and Mr. Marino acknowledge that playing music, especially covers, feels a bit different.
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