Squirrel Nut Zippers, featuring original and founding members Katherine Whalen, Jimbo Mathis, Chris Phillips, Je Widenhouse and Stuart Cole. On tour the band will be performing material from the entire catalogue. In addition there is usually a live performance with their celebrated animated video for the song The Ghost of Stephen Foster (beautifully done by the folks from the Simpsons).
The band still rejoices at the difficulty people have pigeonholing their unmistakable sound. A perpetually evolving, hybrid-stew of Southern roots traditions, blues and jazz, the Zippers were aptly tagged "'30s punk" by one critic. They have always flirted with a muse most concerned with ghosts, love gone wrong, fever-dreams and stories unearthed from days past. Centered around the beguiling vocals of Katherine Whalen and the anachronistic windup toy that is Jimbo Mathus, the Zippers promise to both charm and confound.
Since 2002, the members have kept themselves more than busy. Katherine Whalen has released several solo albums, most recently the critical favorite Dirty Little Secret. Jimbo Mathus has also released several acclaimed solo records, all while working as musical director for legendary blues musician and Grammy winner Buddy Guy. Phillips was enlisted as composer for the Comedy Central TV show Lil’ Bush and spent time touring with the Dickies. Widenhouse has performed throughout the country with his traditional jazz combo the Firecracker Jazz Band. Not to be outdone, Cole has written Dancing to Morocco, a travel guide of dark and dusty bars in Northern Africa, and has been performing extensively with Dexter Romweber. The band performed around 50 shows in 2007, and has just begun a series of summer tours. Look out for a new live record late in 2008, and a new studio record in 2009.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Sales & Radio:
¨ Over Three Million Records Sold!
¨ Breakthrough single “Hell” Top 10 at Modern Rock.
¨ Video in Heavy Rotation at MTV
¨ Prairie Home Companion Performance
¨ Featured several times on NPR’s Morning Edition
¨ Animated video by The Simpson’s producers
Television Performances:
¨ Sesame Street
¨ Regis & Kathie Lee.
¨ Letterman
¨ Leno
¨ Conan
¨ Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Years Eve
¨ Sessions at West 54th
Tour:
¨ Performed at President Clinton’s Inaugural Ball 1996
¨ Performed at 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta
¨ Multiple Sold Out National Headline Tours.
¨ HORDE Tour 1997 with Neil Young
¨ Opened for Tony Bennett at Radio City Music Hall
Film & Television:
¨ Soundtracks & Placements in Blast From the Past and Flirting With Disaster
¨ Intel Commercial
¨ HBO - Six Feet Under
¨ Family Plots Theme
¨ Happily Never After
¨ Under The Sea Video release
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thank you for "Memphis Exorcism", everybody sounds mint. very much looking forward to hearing the rest of the live album, i'm sure it will be great. Happy Independence Day, steven
hey y'all! i have a question. what songs from the 1930's sound most like what y'all play (like swing, etc.)? thanks! -Your faithful fan at UNC-Chapel Hill, Kalli Can't wait to see you again at Cat's Cradle!
Please play a show at the Granada Theater in Dallas. It's close to my house so the cab ride is cheap. Long live the bronco bowl, but that was then. I'll buy you a shot if it helps.
OK, So I saw you last time you came to NYC in December! What a SHOW! Can you PLEASE PLEASE do a cover of Chick Webb's Orchestra's "When I get low, I get high"? It's such a perfect fit for you!
greetings and salutations!!! was just wondering if you can do The Ghost of Stephen Foster and Hell when you come to Cleveland in July? please and thank you!!!
I got two tix for The Belly Up Tavern. Can't wait for the show. Ya'll are amazing. I thought of a cover song that would be awesome for you to do. 'If I Only Had A Brain'. That would be stellar. :) Whatever you play is stellar though. Much love. D
Hi Gang, Thanks for the frienship. It's an honor to be one of your friends. Been a fan a long time. It's great you dare to be different and make it work. Keep on Rockin', Ray
Greetings, Just droppin by to introduce myself and thank you for joining me here on this new-fangled contraption. I've always enjoyed your music but somehow hadn't eard about you for awhile, however. I'm glad to know that you are alive and well and continuing to make great music. I'll keep an eye open to see when you might be in the Boston area. Take Care and have a marvelous day. Sincerely, Clayton