Big Head Todd and the Monsters

Big Head Todd and the Monsters have been very busy this political season, with the Boulder-bred band playing shows for both the Democrats and the Republicans.

However, the local group is non-partisan when it comes to helping out charities. Saturday, Big Head Todd plays a benefit to aid the Citywild/River Reach organization at Englewood's Gothic Theatre.

Monsters drummer Brian Nevin was happy to catch locals up on the band's doings.

Q: What inspires the band to keep making music?

A: We've had the good fortune to be three buddies who started a band in high school. We're still able to make music, and this musical climate suits our band well.

We've always been comfortable about being an indie band. That's allowed us to make the music we want to make, and make a living at it. We've seen peers of ours try to adapt, but we've always put out records and marketed ourselves.

Q: The band's latest CD, All the Love You Need, has been getting national exposure. How did you promote it?

A: We made the record in L.A. with producer David Bianco. This record is darker and it has more intensity, but it also had more commercial songs. It's very radio-friendly.

We've never been a band that's released music to commercial radio, but this record has opened up a lot of doors.

We did a special promotion with six national radio stations -- including KBCO -- and we gave away a half million copies of the CD. It got into a lot of people's hands.

Q: How did NASA and Hillary Clinton option the CD's single, "Blue Sky?"

A: NASA called up Todd and asked him to write a song. They were re-introducing the space shuttles and NASA said they were sick of using "Rocket Man." Todd wrote "Blue Sky" and NASA's been using it at their events.

Hillary Clinton heard it and decided to use it through her presidential campaign.

Q: How did your band get connected with the Democratic and Republican conventions?

A: We did a few events and rallies with Hillary Clinton. We were even flown in to play her New Year's Eve campaign party in Iowa. It was a great opportunity.

We were asked to play for Hillary's speech at the Democratic convention. She wanted us to play "Blue Sky" live, but they decided to use a recording. We also played a private DNC governor's party.

And, we played some private parties for the Republican National Convention.

Q: Why is the band playing Saturday's benefit?

A: The Citywild/River Reach organization helps raise money to help poor kids go on river rafting and camping trips, and attend after school programs. It's for a local cause and we like that idea.

Q: Is BHT playing a local New Year's show?

A: We haven't played a local New Year's Eve show for a couple of years.

We're doing the show with AEG, so the Ogden in Denver was our only option. We liked the idea of playing something smaller and intimate for our fans.