It was a cold fall day in 1987.  I was a 17 year old kid covering underground New Jersey bands for a popular fanzine when I first met Yosi Levin.  At the time he was playing in a punk band called The Exposed.  I had picked up a demo tape of the band at a show I was at, so I gave Yosi Levin a call and he invited me and my partner to the radio station at Ocean County College, which he was also the D.J., doing an alternative radio program.

We all seemed to click, the interview was a blast and we learned that Yosi was a geniunely nice person who had a passion for music.  We went to local shows together now and then and were part of what was then the New Jersey Punk Scene. 

Years went by, I joined the Marines, Yosi went off to college and we lost contact for nearly 20 years.

Then, one day while doing research for GoKids, I noticed a performer named Yosi would pop up now and then, I didn't think much of it until one day when I was in Jump Around Playground in Howell with my daughter.  She was playing and I picked up a copy of the Your Child Today Magazine.  On the cover, I see a cartoon caricature of Yosi and turned to my wife and said "That's Yosi, we used to go to shows together!".

Little did I know at the time the scope and impact Yosi has made on the children of New Jersey.  So many times I wanted to catch one of his shows, but between work and family we kept missing him.   On Halloween, Yosi played at my daughter's school and it was a great opportunity to catch up on some old times and finally see him live.

The performance was great.  The kids were all bopping around and his songs were as energetic as can be.  I even saw quite a few parents and the teachers really getting into it.  I thought it would be a great idea to finally catch up on old times and find out "What's Eatin' Yosi" these days.


gk: 20 years ago, you were in college playing in a relatively successful underground garage/punk band. Did you ever in your wildest dreams think that all these years later you would be releasing your fourth children's release?

Yosi: Absolutely not! When I was performing with The Exposed (punk, 1986-'87) that later turned into the New Gods (college rock, '87-'91), I would never have thought I'd be recording or performing family/kids music. At that time, my best hope was to maybe tour with Black Flag or Fugazi.

gk: So, after all your years in college, getting your BA in psychology then your masters, then 10 years working as a family therapist, what was it like the day you told your wife "I want to sing for children and quit my job?"

Yosi: Ha! I think it was the other way around. She said, "I think you can do this full time." Moving from small classroom sing-alongs & some birthday parties to bigger stages & events, (plus national radio airplay) my wife & I realized that I was starting to financially do much better than my chosen profession as a counselor.

gk: I can imagine the perception of those close to you when you wanted to switch careers, how did you get through in the beginning mentally with people telling you it will never work and you going out there and making it work?

Yosi: Being a father of four children I was very cautious in making the slow transition. Many friends & coworkers were enthusiastically (if not, impatiently) pushing me to make the switch. Apparently, they could easily see that I was on my way.


gk: How did you hook up with the Superdads and how often do you perform as a band?

Yosi:I've worked with many great musicians in the studio, but most I wouldn't put in front of kids. I wanted the band members to be thrilled with kids, not just tolerate them. Jammin' Joe Geisler (bass), a neighbor, was always funny & great with kids. So, I wanted to build the band with him. I soon met Mr. Scott (drums) who's just hilarious. We did a few gigs as a three piece, when Mr. Scott introduced me to Gary Hoffman (lead guitar). Gary (Mr. G-Whiz) turned our power trio into a well honed rockin' outfit. Each guy is a dad & super at it. Thus, the name was born. The musicianship & personalities are dynamite. We all agree, it's the best band we've ever been in.

Yosi: We now perform about 30+ gigs/year. Of course, we're looking to increase that amount.

gk: Any plans on a superdad's release?

Yosi: Yes! We have a few projects we want to tackle. One is a live DVD to capture the energy & antics of our concerts. Another is a full length CD. Possibly a Hanukkah album full of rockin' versions of traditional & original Hanukkah songs. It may be a year from now.

gk: You perform over 450 shows a year, it doesn't appear that would leave you much time off. How do you spend your free time?

Yosi:It's very busy especially around holidays & summer. When I'm not performing I love outings to parks, beaches, movies, sailing, etc. with the family. I spend a lot of hours working around the house. I love to cook meals, & try new recipes. We're into landscaping our yard. We just put in a patio & a butterfly garden. My twin boys are totally into bugs, butterflies, caterpillars & moths. My wife is a gardener & I (love to) do all the grunt work.

gk: How do you advertise? Has it just all been word of mouth from school to school and parent to parent or was there every any marketing campaign?

Yosi:I don't advertise in mags or newspapers. Twice a year I send out brochures or postcards. I go to an occasional teacher's conference & do a lecture & have a booth. My publicist gets me national attention in print media, & radio & TV appearances. However, nothing is better than word of mouth.

gk: There seems to be several different levels of musicians in the children's music industry. On one hand you have the Wiggles, Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner, popularized by their appearances on children's television. On the other hand you have local performers like Mr. Scott the Music Man and Yosi. Do you feel that there is a difference in energy levels, participation or performance between the arena-concert performers and local performers?

Yosi: I've been on large stages as well as small rooms. A stage is an immediate barrier between the performer & the audience (especially with kids). That's why Bono (U2) used to jump out into the audience to connect with them. Same goes for all those punk stage diving acts. If you crouch down to a kids eye-level you're making a great connection. If the stage is 6 feet high & they are barely 3 feet something significant is lost.
The difference between local, regional, national & international acts is usually good songs, strong products, marketing/PR campaigns & money. Dan Zanes, Ralph's World & Laurie Berkner worked hard & had the talent & (eventually) backing to climb to where they are today. They earned their place.

gk: "What's Eatin' Yosi" has been in our minivan's CD changer for a few weeks now. Our daughter's favorite songs are Chicken Noodle Soup and On Top of Spaghetti. I have to admit though. It took us about a week until I finally realized, every song on the CD is about food. What motivated you to make your newest release all about food?

Yosi: Glad your daughter enjoys the disc! I love cooking & eating. I mean, I REALLY love it. I have yearly subscriptions to a couple of great cooking magazines. I share recipes with friends & neighbors. I'm always trying to make a better batch of chili. I cook everyday, & involve the kids in making milkshakes & my wife usually makes cakes & other desserts with the kids. When I started writing food songs it just flowed. Before long I had more than an album's worth.

gk: You dressed up as Cat in the Hat for your Halloween shows. Are costumes a normal part of your routine or was it just because it was Halloween?

Yosi: Usually I'm in jeans & a bright shirt. For Halloween I'm the Cat-in-the-Hat. Some places hire me for theme concerts like: dressed as a cowboy for my Rodeo Roundup concert, beachwear for the Beach Party, & PJ's for the Pajama Party.
As Alice Cooper once said, "Hey man, we're ALL wearing costumes."

gk: Children bring Dorothy the Dinosaur roses.. They wear pigs on their head for Laurie Berkner. If you had to choose an item you would like to see children bring to your shows, what would it be?

Yosi: Many kids bring their toy guitars to my shows & sometimes stand right next to me. They are so serious about it! It's hilarious & sweet.

gk: Our website focuses mostly on New Jersey and what to do in New Jersey. What is your favorite family destination in New Jersey?

Yosi: There are so many! I'll have to pick two: Allaire State Park (we go there a lot, & there's an old time train), & Island Beach State Park.

gk: Do you still perform at private functions? If a parent wants to have you play at their kids parties, how would they go about doing so?

Yosi: Yup. I do a good amount of private parties. The best way to book me is by e-mail: Booking@YosiMusic.com. I reply with complete info about my various party packages.

gk: We met nearly 20 years ago. I was doing interviews for an underground music fanzine, you were playing in an underground band. Its funny how our paths crossed again and I was pleasantly surprised to see you doing so well performing for children. Have any other off-the-wall things happened like that to you in the years you've been doing children's music?

Yosi: I remember you as a skin-n-bones punk kid with a real love for hardcore. I think I drove you to a concert or two in City Gardens. Here we are again. It's amazing how the Internet connects people. Four years ago I got an e-mail from a concert promoter in the VA/DC area. It read "Is this THE Yosi I knew in college?" He was a friend in my freshman year. Now, I travel to see him & perform in VA, DC, & MD about two or three times/year.

gk: What does the future have in store for yosi?

Yosi: Like most folks, I ask myself the same question everyday. The best answer I can give myself (or anyone) is "wait & see." I'm hoping for more CD's, concerts around the country & more bouncy, happy faces.

Yosi, thank you for the interview. Do you have anything you would like to add for the parents out there reading this and taking their kids to your shows?

Yosi: Yes. Thanks for introducing your kids to the amazing world of music. Don't be shy. Come up & say "hi." I'm always happy to chat & meet parents & kids. And, finally, keep on a-rockin'!

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You can visit Yosi on his website http://www.yosimusic.com  

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