The Time Outs

Named San Francisco's Best Kids band by the SF Weekly in 2007, the Time Outs have made their name playing at showcases like "Pipsqueak-a-Go-Go" -- which should give you some idea of how hip these guys can be. Their simple songs follow the formula that made early rock 'n' roll great: catchy beats, hand-claps, and easy choruses, with a little surf guitar thrown in for variety. Lyrically they address pressing toddler-level concerns like rain, trains, bathtime and monsters. The group features veteran musicians who have, between them, played in a litany of local bands over the years, including the Blank Stares, Field Trip, Short Dogs Grow and most recently a live karaoke band called the Amazing Embarrassonic Human Karaoke Machine.