The Boy Joys

(November 2001) 

BOY JOYS

Don’t Hate Them Because They’re Beautiful

Paula Kelley, Aaron Tap, and Ad Frank don’t NEED to play Bee Gees songs out in clubs. In fact, some of their friends think they’re crazy. You’d think Aaron would be busy enough, what with running Stop, Pop & Roll Records and playing guitar in several bands-- including Paula’s band, which, by the way, has recently come off two tours and released a gem of a record. And Ad Frank! Well, this equal parts sprightly/dour singer/songwriter has recently released a deeply personal, elegant and funny album that’s going to top more than a few lists for ‘best record of the year.’ Yep, these are some prolific and talented musicians, kids. So why don blinding white suits and croon “How Deep Is Your Love”? 

“Aaron and I were out drinking,” recalls Ad. “We had only known each other for a week, and we got into dueling Barry Gibb impersonations. I suggested we start the band, but expected it to be duly ignored like most other things I say when I'm in my cups. Much to my surprise (literally, for I did not even remember the conversation) he called me on Monday asking when we were rehearsing.” Maybe Ad forgot that Aaron earnestly covered “I Started a Joke” in his old band, Betty Goo, and that Paula has been a proud Gibb devotee since childhood.  Ladies and gentlemen, the Boy Joys. 

In their song selection the Boy Joys tend towards the early Beatles-inspired, vocal-oriented pop material, only just beginning to include some of the better-known disco tunes in their set. “Their early albums really kick major ass,” says Aaron. “And Main Course is one of the most perfect pop albums ever.“ The Boy Joys insist that the Bee Gees are underrated as songwriters, “probably because of their caterwaulic vocal stylings and the fact that they don't have a single original idea in their heads,” says Ad. But, “by bludgeoning audiences with one great song after another, it generally becomes impossible to ignore how good they are.”  Aaron agrees, “Even the so-called goofy disco stuff is often very hard-core beneath the slick surface.” All told, it’s just as fun to see this band as it is for Aaron, Ad, and Paula to get up there and sing these songs. For example, “Hearing Paula sing ‘I'm a man,’ and knowing just how wrong that is,” says Aaron.

You can find more Boy Joys information on the Stop, Pop & Roll website (www.stoppopandroll.com), and you can hear the sweet harmonizing for yourself on Saturday December 1 at The Lizard Lounge. Go on, you know you want to.