MMN Exclusive: Backstage With Steel Train on the Yo Gabba Gabba! Tour (PHOTOS)
While we imagine it’s fun to catch a Steel Train live show in and of itself, we can only imagine the glee these Jersey rockers are bringing to fans of Yo Gabba Gabba! during the Nickelodeon show’s tour.
The band’s usual brand of Springsteen-inspired punk takes a back seat for these shows, though they still manage to tear the roof off for a massive audience of children and their parents during the appropriately titled “It’s Fun to Dance.”
Luckily, the band put together an exclusive photo diary for us, documenting not only what it’s like to perform in front of a vastly different crowd than what they’re used to, but the experience of chilling with the coolest kid’s show cast around. After the jump, guitarist Daniel Silbert guides us through Yo Gabba Gabba!‘s Radio City Music Hall stop, where they got hugs from Brobee, bumped into Shaggy, and stared in awe as thousands of balloons fell from the historic venue’s ceiling.
Daniel Silbert Says: “Evan swimming in the Radio City sea. We were in the middle of soundcheck when Evan ran out into the middle of the theatre.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “Us backstage oddly nervous to perform. Two-year-olds and new parents are more frightening than any crowd we’ve dealt with before, probably because we want them to accept us so badly.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “Evan looking stoic in his Mickey Mouse sweatshirt. A choice outfit for the occasion, although it kinda dates him.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “This was the scene after our soundcheck when friends and family joined us backstage in our dressing room.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “I lifted my camera and Evan gave me his look. This was minutes before we went on.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “Towards the end of the first act Brobee gets balloons, and since sharing is so cool, they drop thousands of balloons from the ceiling. I caught this epic and beautiful moment.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “The finale of the Yo Gabba Gabba! show. I’ve never felt so connected to 5,000 2-year-olds. I guarantee we were all feeling the same thing.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “What can I say here? Jack Hugging Brobee rocketed him back to a very safe time filled with sleepovers and Dunkaroos.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “So This actually happened. We ran into Shaggy outside our dressing room and were compelled to ask him for a photo. So out of character for us.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “After the show there’s a party, and after the party there are hugs and photos. A great moment for us.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “Getting the entire cast together for a final photo made us all so happy beyond words. They are all amazing people and actors.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “Us and DJ Lance!!! What can I say? There are no words. OK, maybe pure delight.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “At 12:00 in the afternoon we were soundchecking, and this is Jack thinking something. Perhaps what it will be like to play ‘It’s Fun to Dance’ at Radio City.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “Not having played ‘It’s Fun to Dance’ for a month, Evan was brushing up on the song!!!”
Daniel Silbert Says: “Jon was on the phone when I saw him through the mirror. We were the only two people in our dressing room at the time. Our room was filled with those Broadway-style lights. Love it.”
Daniel Silbert Says: “No real story here. Just thought I would take a picture of myself. How unexciting. I mean, really, right?”
Daniel Silbert Says: “Since it’s a huge honor to play Radio City and a huge honor to play with Yo Gabba Gabba! I had to take a shot of Radio City from the street. And we were on our way to Tad’s for a quick lunch…”
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