Needham's 'The Tapples' Play Back To School Concert

NEEDHAM, MA — Needham's youngest recording artists rocked out, welcoming students back to school at the Sunita Williams Elementary School picnic. "The Tapples," is a local band of kid that includes eighth graders Riley Zakarian and Arie Shalita, seventh graders Sam Doff and Liam King and fifth grader Avery Zakarian.

The kids brought some rock 'n roll energy to the school last Thursday, playing covers of the "Beatles" classic "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts" and "Hotel California" by "The Eagles." "The Tapples" also showed off their own songwriting skills by playing a few songs off their debut album "Bus Recovery."

Four of the band's five were former students at the elementary school, so the band was excited to not only perform but also see some familiar faces.

"Except for Avery, we’re all former Hillsiders, so i's great being back and seeing our teachers from elementary school," said Doff, the band's lead vocalist. "It’s also pretty fun that we got invited to help welcome students at Sunita Williams."

School officials said they were happy to have the "The Tapples" back at Sunita Williams Elementary, the place where the band first formed five years ago at the talent show.

"We couldn't have asked for a better day for the back to school picnic, the first on our beautiful new back playground," said Principal Michael Kascak. "We had perfect weather, the perfect late summer vibe and the perfect entertainment. which included the always popular DJ and a fantastic live set, provided by the talented Hillside based quintent, 'The Tapples'. Hats off to the band!"

The band recorded their debut album at Woolly Mammoth Sound studio in Waltham, recording four original songs: "Glimpse," "October Sky," "Freedom,"and "Aftermath."

"The Tapples" album "Bus Recovery" is available now on Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, Itunes and Amazon.