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Squirrel Nut Zippers was a U.S. band formed in 1993, who applied punk's DIY aesthetic to early 20th century American popular music. The band's name comes from the Squirrel Brand's Nut Zippers, a peanut and caramel candy for sale since the mid-20s.
Origins The band was founded by Jim "Jimbo" Mathus, formerly of Metalflake Mother and Johnny Vomit & The Dry Heaves, and his wife Katharine Whalen in Chapel Hill, North Carolina along with Ken Mosher, Don Raleigh and Chris Phillips. The group made its live debut in Chapel Hill a few months later. Tom Maxwell joined in January, 1994, bringing in Stacy Guess (formerly of Pressure Boys and Sex Police). The band was initially lumped into the "lounge" movement, along with Combustible Edisons, then later credited with starting the brief swing music revival of the 1990s. Unlike such bands as Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, who mostly synthesized jump blues and a Gene Krupa backbeat, the Zippers defied description, incorporating everything from Harlem Hot Music, Cab Calloway, Johnny Ace, Delta Blues, Raymond Scott, Fats Waller, Django Reinhardt, Tom Waits, and klezmer. Maxwell's "Hell," their biggest (and only) hit single, peaking at number 13, was calypso music in the tradition of 1930s artists such as Lord Executor and The Growler. The band's lyrics sometimes referenced Faulkner or quoted 2,000 year old Chinese poetry. As Hell was the only song that got real airtime, they are mostly considerd a one-hit wonder, although they do have a strong cult following. Albums While the band's first album, The Inevitable (1995), passed by relatively unnoticed, the band became quite well-known in the South through their continuous touring. Their second album, Hot (1996), caught the attention of the modern music scene, however, mainly on the weight of the album's best-known song, "Hell." After becoming a staple on such influential radio stations as Los Angeles's KROQ (after initially being played as a joke), the album quickly went gold (500,000 units shipped). It was certified platinum (1,000,000 unit shipped) in the Fall of 1997. The "Hot" album was one of the first ECDs - an "enhanced" audio CD containing what is considered to be one of the most elaborate interactive presentations on an audio CD , created by filmmaker Clay Walker. Perennial Favorites (1998) shipped gold, but its touring cycle was cut short while the band went on a hiatus from which they never really recovered. "Perennial Favorites" was also an ECD. Their swan song, Bedlam Ballroom, (2000) recorded without Maxwell or Mosher, sold fewer than 70,000 copies. Personnel changes Success Troubles Aftermath While the band never officially announced a breakup, they have neither recorded nor toured since 2001. The departure of Maxwell and Mosher mortally wounded the band; the coup de grace was the expiration date of the swing movement. In June 2002, Maxwell and Mosher arbitrated against their partners for entering into a management agreement without their knowledge or consent whilst still in the band, and for withholding their share of royalties after their departure. They prevailed. Jim Mathus and Katharine Whalen were divorced in 2004. Most members have continued their musical careers separately. Tom Maxwell released Samsara in early 2000, and briefly toured with his band The Minor Drag (including Robert Sledge on bass), resulting in a live album. * Ken Mosher distinguished himself as a bass player in the b-sides and as a producer. Katharine Whalen has released two solo albums.* Jim Mathus toured with Buddy Guy before re-forming his old band Knockdown South.* Maxwell & Mosher released a rock record called Brother Seeker * and occasionally tour as Maxwell/Mosher, performing the songs they wrote in the Zippers. Their eponymous record is a continuation of the Zippers' musical direction *. In August, 2006 they teamed up with Rickie Lee Jones to release the anti-GOP song "Have You Had Enough."* "Hell" is the main title for the Lifetime series "Lovespring, International." Don Raleigh has played with several bands, including The Rock Mechanics, The Loose Lunatics, and Jackie O. Pillbox.* Je Widenhouse and Reese Gray are recording and touring with Firecracker Jazz Band.* Members Albums Singles | ||||||||
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