Andy-Z has a problem.

“OK, plan B,” he said as he crouched over his misbehaving guitar setup. “I need a soldering iron.”

A sudden equipment failure 15 minutes before showtime is a nightmare for any performer. But it’s even worse when your loyal fan base is made up of children who probably can’t pronounce the word “Stratocaster.” And Andy-Z, otherwise known as SF State alumnus Andreas Zamenes, doesn’t want to disappoint his fans. Zamenes finally resolved to go acoustic—and the kids and parents assembled at The Children’s Center in San Carlos didn’t seem to mind a bit.

The children danced and sang along to a set that included originals like “Sticky Sticky Bubblegum,” and “Pockets,” as well as the occasional Bob Marley cover. Eventually, Zamenes even got two especially rambunctious kids playing Nerf football in the corner into the action, joined soon after by parents until there was a happy mosh pit roiling in front of the stage.

It wasn’t exactly what Zamenes expected to be doing when he lost his computer tech day job—and it definitely wasn’t what he expected to be doing with his degree in music from SF State. But Zamenes clearly loves his job.

“I noticed that a lot of kids are so open to music in general … it’s almost like it’s their language,” Zamenes said. “The cool things about kids is that they haven’t gotten to the point where they feel the need to be behaved and proper and everything. They really pay attention to the music and move along and jump along with you. They really get into it. They’re all out.”

Years later, the crowd is still enthusiastic. One parent, Shanice Stevenson, has been bringing her children Zariah and Josiah to see Zamenes for years.

“We’ve been seeing him for a while,” Stevenson said. “It’s active, and it’s lively. They like it a lot."

“Zariah, what’s your favorite song?” she quizzed her daughter. “Is it 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat?'”

“'Row, Row, Row Your Boat!'” Zariah answered affirmatively.

It’s no surprise that parents as well as kids enjoy Zamenes’ pop rock tinged sound. He’s had plenty of experience playing for adults. After graduating from school, he played in several rock bands It wasn’t until after he lost his job during the dot com bust that Zamenes starting playing for children.

“I was a computer technician for like eight years, and I was moonlighting as a musician at night," said Zamenes. "I got laid off from that four years ago, and that’s when I said, 'hey let’s give this a shot.' I’m going to do music for a living, no matter what it takes. I ended up playing at a day care center, just covering for somebody that was out ill … and I had such a rapport with those kids. I had so much fun. So I started doing more stuff with kids music."

Three years later, Zamenes doesn’t need a day job—performing for kids around the Bay Area has kept him so busy, he’s hired a personal assistant.

“I’m an office assistant, friend, and errand runner,” said assistant Marci Selvaggio with a smile while performing some of her other myriad duties at The Children Center show. In the midst of setting up the merchandise table and working crowd control (translation: wrangling the occasional misbehaving child), she took a minute to reflect on how much busier she’s been in recent months.

“(Andy-Z) really took off," Selvaggio. "(and) now he’s having to turn jobs down.”

In addition to smaller solo shows, Zamenes has played to crowds of over 300 with his group the Andyland Band. His second CD, “Welcome to Andyland,” was also recently given an award by the National Parents Association.

In his home studio a week after the Children’s Center show, Zamenes was locked into heroic battle with ProTools software as he recorded for his new CD, “Return To Andyland.”

In a room cramped with all the necessary hi-tech recording equipment—and a few electric guitars that might make Nigel Tufnel envious—Zamenes diligently worked out a solo for new song. He also displayed some of the skills that his education at SF State, as well as the College of San Mateo, taught him.

“It gave me a really good background and really good experiences,” Zamenes said. “I’m glad I got that music degree. Because I’m using it, I’m using elements of it, and it’s helped me to develop my own musical style.”

Zamenes made special mention of current SF State music professor Dee Spencer.

“Dee Spencer was very cool," said Zamenes. "It’s teachers like that who really give you that extra self-esteem. They’re willing to help you, and they’re encouraging you. So that helps.”

Later, Dee Spencer easily recalled Zamenes.

“He was always a very dedicated student,” Spencer said. “He was always very serious about his work.”

Back at the studio in his Redwood City house, Zamenes added more finishing touches on songs that will be sent off for mastering in time for a July release. Besides the usual recording equipment, Zamenes did have one feature not usually seen in professional recording studios—mementos from his fans. A wall is papered with crayon drawings of Zamenes in his trademark baseball cap, cut-out flowers thanking him for performing, and other handmade tokens from grateful children.

“It is an interesting thing that I do,” Zamenes said. “But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m so glad to be able to do music for a living, and with the best audience in the world."

SF State alumni Andy Zamenes is currently in the process of making his third children's CD. He performs with his band AndyLand for children throughout the Bay Area. On April 9, Zamenes performed for the children at The Children's Place Preschool Daycare.