The Do Yo Thangs change their name and postpone album

Melbourne alt R&B band The Do Yo Thangs are changing their name to Leisure Centre. This comes after the band received feedback suggesting that ‘The Do Yo Thangs’ name was culturally inappropriate. The change has led to a slight delay in the release of their debut album, Mind Full.

The following is a statement by bandleader and songwriter Hugh Rabinovici on how the change came about:

We recently received some feedback on the name of our band.The feedback highlighted the inappropriate use of African American vernacular as branding by a predominantly Anglo Australian group.

Admittedly, when I named the band, this was not on my radar. Although in the years since starting the band I’ve learnt more about the dynamics of power, privilege and identity, I evidently hadn’t reflected on this in relation to our band name. Rightly, this feedback made me uncomfortable. After some discussion, we quickly acknowledged the name was out of line with our values and we needed to do something about it.

I genuinely appreciate the feedback and the time and thought that was put into it. I’m grateful for this opportunity to grow and develop, to hold up a mirror to what we’ve been doing and make a change.

I’m excited about the new name. Leisure Centre for me represents an iconic part of the suburban landscape in which I grew up, along with some poolside good times. I think it’s a much better fit for who we are as a group.

Leisure Centre will be performing material from their upcoming album ‘Mind Full’ on 3RRR’s Breakfasters program this Friday 6 April. ‘Don’t Let Go’, the group’s first single under the name Leisure Centre will be out on 20 April on HopeStreet Recordings.

Mind Full, their new album, will be released on 20 July. Pre-order from here.