Squirrel Nut Zippers
 

Well, I couldn't find a thread for these guys, which is a shame. They're one of my favorite modern jazz bands. A mix of swing and big band, with influences ranging from alternative rock, to soul, to r and b, to Eastern European folk music, they are truly one of a kind. I love "Perennial Favorites" and "Bedlam Ballroom."

This band is still around?
I remember there was a swing revival in the mid-late 90s and lots of clubs had a "swing night" and kids were actually learning the moves. SNZ were pretty good for a throwback novelty but they couldn't beat the real thing (better without the vocals, too). I used to listen to "Hot" all the time. Here's an oldie for ya.

We've discussed these guys before somewhere, but I think that was when it was swing revival week.

Squirrel Nut Zippers is a band I stumbled upon back in the 90s and I instantly became a fan then. I checked out Perennial Favorites and, although I've grown a bit tired of them over the years simply from familiarity, it's still a great album. I remember I was really looking forward to the release of Bedlam Ballroom, but while it has some good songs on it, I still much prefer Perennial Favorites.

That album is full of good songs like Suits are picking up the bill, My Drag, Ghost of Stephen Foster, Pallin' with Al, The Kraken .. But I think my favourites are Evening at La Fittes and Low Down Man.





Easily my favourite swing revival band :) Swing revival in general was a bit too hip I think, but SNZ were more genuine a convincing than most.

Totally agree on both points. I used to love SNZ - but that was mostly because I couldn't hear authentic swing jazz played with modern sound technology.

Also, I saw a few local nobody bands play the stuff live just as well as SNZ. Just sayin'

SNZ were far and away the best of the swing revival bands. I always loved the way they managed to sound both more authentic and more unique than their neo-swing peers, and they were fantastic live.

I can only handle this kind of music in small doses, but when I want to listen to it I generally go for SNZ...especially Hot. It's a great album.

Listening to them right now, and I can listen all night.

wow....this is a true blast from the past

i have to agree with Janszoon....out of all the late 90s swing revival bands (cherry poppin daddies, royal crown review etc etc etc) this band really stood on its own....and the album Hot is soooo much fun