Ever wonder what a TV show about a crime fighting rock and roll band would be like? Well look no further! The Aquabats! Super Show! is just for you! Filled with silly antics, crazy monsters, and some great tunes, The Aquabats! Super Show! is a great show for kids and adults.
The Aquabats are a real band from Orange Country, CA. They aren’t just any ordinary band, they are superheroes complete with uniforms and code names. The Aquabats are a different kind of band. They have their super hero gimmick and even stage fight scenes with their cast of various super villains during their shows. They experienced a considerable amount of fame during the 1990s, but even though The Aquabats don’t get much attention from MTV anymore, they still continue to produce awesome music “for the Kids.”
The Aquabat!s Super Show! was created by The Aquabats’ lead singer Christan Jacobs and his creative partner Scott Shultz. The two previously developed Nick Jr. show Yo Gabba Gabba. Super Show! is an live action show with animated elements. The Live action portion of the show follows the Aquabtas in a zany “monster of the week” crime fighting format. Think Power Rangers and the 1960s Batman. All of the actual members of the band play their characters on the show. They travel around in their Battle Tram (which is much like the TARDIS from Doctor Who, impossibly bigger on the inside) fighting monsters like Antman, Cobraman, and the Floating Eye of Death. The fighting and effects might look cheesy, but they are supposed to be like that. It’s a quirky show and kids love it. The cheesyness adds to its charm.
The band also writes all of the music for the show. Some of their songs from previous albums have made it onto the show along with new songs like this one, “Burger Rain.”
The show also features several animated segments. There are shorts with the band’s anthropomorphic mascot Lil’ Bat and also a short anime style cartoon. The transition to the cartoon short is always a highlight of the show; characters find a small TV in a ridiculous location (like under the battle tram or in a bush) and exclaim “A Cartoon!” Trust me, its funny. The cartoon short follows a continuous story line while the live action portion of the show does not.
The cast of characters in the Super Show! is great. Each of the Aquabats have their own codenames and personalities.
The MC Bat Commader (played by Christan Jacobs) is the lead singer of the group. He has no super powers but he is brave and impulsive. He is the one that brings the rest of the group together.
Crash McLarson (played by Chad Larson), the bass player, is sometimes simple and emotional. He has the power to grow up to 50 feet, but he has a hard time controlling it.
Eaglebones Falconhawk (played by Ian Fowles) is the guitarist and is the “maverick” of the group. He has a laser beam guitar and is sometimes aided by his spirit eagle, called “The Dude.”
Ricky Fitness (played by Richard Falomir) the band’s drummer who has the power of super speed. Ricky is health conscious and the group’s “heartthrob.”
Jimmy the Robot (played by James R. Briggs Jr.) is the keyboardist and a humanoid robot. He serves as a database and is the groups science officer. Since Jimmy is a robot he has several lasers and weapons in his arms, but is often confused by human emotions)
The Aquabats! Super Show airs on the HUB network, Saturdays at 1pm eastern time and 10am pacific. Season 2 started last week, but you can watch the whole first season on Netflix. Season 2 will have several special guests such as Tony Hawk, Mikey Way (of My Chemical Romance) and an episode will be written and directed by Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance.
The Aquabats! Super Show! may “officially” be a kids show, but it can be enjoyed by anyone who wants a good laugh and a good time.