Publication Date: Friday, March 07, 2003

Local dads make up the Wildcats,
a classic rock band

by Tim Seyfert

Palo Alto parents have long been known for their active involvement in local schools, specifically fund-raisers. Whether organizing bake sales, pushing candy bars to co-workers or simply donating generous checks at district charity events, there's almost no limit to how far many parents will go in to rake in some cash for their little one's education.

The Wildcats Photos by Kate Robertson (click on photo for larger image)

But for seven fathers of Walter Hays Elementary School students, raising money for Palo Alto public schools isn't just about well-intentioned community service. For them, it's a chance to rock.

With their rock 'n' roll cover band, "The Wildcats" (named after the Walter Hays school mascot), they've helped raise "thousands of dollars" for Palo Alto public schools since forming in 2001, according to an estimate from the band's co-founder and bassist, Wick Goodspeed.

In addition to three Walter Hays fund-raisers, the dad-rockers have strutted their stuff at benefits for Duveneck and Juana Briones Elementary schools and the annual Palo Alto Foundation for Education auction, for which they collected a $1,500 bid last year.

Making up the group of Peninsula residents are three CE0s, two investment bankers, a senior vice president and a venture capitalist.

This Saturday, the Silicon Valley professionals will rock out once again at P.A.F.E.'s latest fund-raiser, "Celebrate Our Kids." Proceeds of the event, which will be held at the Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel, go toward new science equipment at Palo Alto and Gunn high schools, grants for the district's elementary school teachers and classroom upgrades at various schools.

After ripping through a raucous 43-song set -- including everything from Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" to Matchbox 20's "3 A.M" -- the band itself will be auctioned off to perform at a gig of the highest bidder's choice.

"It's all in the name of charity, Goodspeed said during a recent rehearsal session at Walter Hays Elementary School. "It's more about helping the schools than to see us play. Getting people to help out the schools is the real prize."

Who: The Wildcats will perform at a benefit for the Palo Alto Foundation for Education. Where: The Sheraton Hotel, 625 El Camino Real in Palo Alto. When: Saturday at 6 p.m. Cost: Tickets are $100 ($40 is tax-deductible). Info: For tickets and information, call (650) 329-3990 or visit www.pafe.org

The site of seven school dads banging their heads and grinding out classic rock anthems might be an effective fund-raising tool, but it isn't all about philanthropy for the parent-musicians, who range in age from 39 to 53.

"We're out there [performing] to support our kids and the schools," keyboard player Michael Brown said. "But mostly, we just love to play. It's a lot of fun and we like seeing others have fun too."

Adding fun to district fund-raisers is exactly what sparked Goodspeed -- along with then fellow Walter Hays parent, Alex Seaver -- to form the band two years ago. Having participated in previous P.A.F.E fund-raisers, the two amateur musicians weren't satisfied with the event's entertainment.

"It got a little old seeing the same karaoke guy every year," Goodspeed said. "We thought we could do better."

In the fall of 2001, Goodspeed put an ad in Walter Hays' parent newsletter, seeking musicians for a band that would help blow the doors off the school's fund-raising parties. Word spread quickly throughout the parent community, and within weeks the first line-up of The Wildcats was born. With only about five songs in its original set list, the band played its first gig at a P.A.F.E fundraiser later that year. Since then, both their repertoire and line-up has evolved into what audiences see today.

Along with Goodspeed and Brown, today's Wildcats consist of drummer Hank Barry, guitarists Greg Cook, Ken Kenrick and Jeff Scheel, and fiddle player Tony Hughes. Original lead guitarist and band co-founder Seaver relocated to Connecticut and no longer plays with the group.

All members have kids at Walter Hays Elementary and have played in bands growing up. For the P.A.F.E. auction, guest vocalist Karin Salveson will lend her pipes for a few songs.

Though they may have the district's parents pumping their fists, it may be awhile before the band moves beyond belting out renditions of "Surfin' USA" and "867-5309/Jenny" for charity auctions, according to Cook.

"We're not up to original songs yet," Cook joked. "We do all covers, and we're struggling to even do just that."

The band has still managed to land a few non-fund-raiser gigs around the Bay Area; most recently at the San Mateo bar, The Kingfish.

"We're pacing ourselves," Barry mockingly said behind his five-piece kit, which displays the feline mascot on the bass drum. "The Wildcats don't want to peak too early."

Whether they ever "peak" or not, the group said it plans on staying around as long as there's a willing audience. All band members agree the Wildcats will most likely keep on rockin', even after their kids finish grade school.

"There will probably be generations of this band," Cook said. "Hopefully, us being up here might serve as an example to other parents, who'll maybe keep this going when we're all done with it. It seems to be working so far."