Squirrel Nut Zippers - 10/29 @ Variety Playhouse
It just feels good knowing that the Squirrel Nut Zippers are still touring around. They were one of my favorite acts of the 90's and such an awesome live band. Sure they got lumped into the whole Swing revival thing (and arguments could be made that later albums catered to that crowd), but there was something slightly different about them. Something old timey and yet timeless. So needless to say I was pleased to see that they were back on the road and playing at the Variety.
I got there a little later than anticipated, so the band was already in the midst of their set. I maybe missed 15 - 20 minutes, not too bad considering. I walked inside and it looked like a Mardi Gras on stage (minus the beads and boobs), there were Chinese lanterns hanging from the rafters, a girl in a hula hoop, a couple swing dancing and Jimbo in a hat with a giant feather. About the only thing missing was a juggler, guess they couldn't find one in time. Squirrel Nut Zippers were never really about the theatrics before and I'm guessing they're using more of it to compete with or be part of the movement that bands like the Yard Dogs Road Show are in, that quasi bohemian art troupe thing that seems to be catching on. And Squirrel Nut Zippers would fit in nicely into that niche too, so hopefully that movement will bring them continued popularity with a whole new audience.
Granted, they're probably never going to have another huge hit like "Hell" (which does make for a perfect pre-Halloween song). But as long as they can keep an audience coming to their live shows, I think they'll do alright. There was a good sized crowd and everyone was dancing around to all the songs. Didn't run into anyone at the show and a bit surprised about that. As there were several people that I would've expected to have seen normally. But did end up chatting with Cliff for a good bit as he was working the merch table. And Lisa Miller kept putting stickers on my jacket all night, she's an odd one.
Not sure if they performed any new songs, or maybe I've just forgotten about a few. But mostly they stuck with the classics, like the aforementioned "Hell." I was pretty pleased when they performed "Put A Lid On It" personally, as I was humming that one all day. But my favorite SNZ song is "Ghost Of Stephen Foster," which they did an amazing job with. First they projected the awesome video for it on stage and the band performed live to the video. It was so freakin' cool and also very Halloween appropriate.
The band sounded great. Although Katherine's voice was sounding a bit rough and not so Billie Holiday as usual, but otherwise it was a really fun show. There was even a sousaphone solo! During the encore, Jimbo encouraged the crowd to form a conga line and how often does that happen? And at the end of the show, the band came out into the audience and lead them out into the lobby and then outside of the Variety where they finished the song under the marquee. Fun. Like I said, it was a very Mardi Gras kind of vibe. And since Mardi Gras comes around once a year, here's hoping the same thing will happen with Squirrel Nut Zippers.