Filthy Children are an institution in Colorado funk and local music.  They’ve been on the scene for over ten years and despite a major lineup change, they’re back on top of their game and ready to get yo booty on the dance floor at Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest.

I first had the pleasure of meeting these guys and gal about ten years ago.  They were absolutely amazing on stage.  I was blown away by their horn section, which boasted 4 pieces and played tight.  I was equally blown away by their frontwoman, Micah.  She was tiny, but could belt out some soul with the best of them.  The whole package was dynamic and full of chemistry.

Off stage they were hilarious.  How could they not be with 8 people in the band?!?  I always felt that their sense of humor really shone on their debut album, which was appropriately titled Knocked Up.  Micah was pregnant and the album was a tribute to her baby, with the album art featuring her pregnant belly.  Knocked Up has some really great funk songs, with some really funny lyrics.  If you can find a copy, check out Butter.

The album and their awesome music kept them at the top of the local music scene, where they were named “Best Funk” in numerous publications and readers polls.  Through this, Micah remained a great mother.  Her son was at all of their outdoor shows, cheering Mom on from the front row, usually in his “My Mom Rocks” t-shirt. It came as no surprise that when she found out she was pregnant with her second child that she decided to leave the band and focus on her family.  I truly thought that would be the end of the group.  All of the guys are terrific, but she really had something special and I couldn’t imagine them without her.

However, with Micah’s blessing, the group auditioned different frontwoman and found Jenny Anderson.  Actually last year at Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest, as I was volunteering at the Kids Music Adventure, I ran into Micah and her family.  They were out enjoying the day and she had told me that Filthy Children had found her replacement.  And as sad as she was to be going, she was extremely happy for them to be able to keep making music.  She stressed how much she really like Jenny as a person to fit in with the band she created, but also how much she enjoyed her voice and her stage presence.  How right she was!  Jenny has fit right in and blown new life into the band.

Filthy Children have had an incredible year and are one of the bands I’m most looking forward to seeing at this year’s festival.  They’ll be on the ..Old Town Square.. Stage Saturday August 15th at 6:45 PM.  Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/filthychildren There is video available featuring both leading ladies.  I still recommend tracking down a copy of Butter.

~Greta Cornett on behalf of Bohemian Nights