Gear Daddies
Encyclopedia
The Gear Daddies are a band from Austin, Minnesota
that enjoyed moderate success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its members were Randy Broughten (electric
and steel guitar
), Nick Ciola
(bass
), Billy Dankert
(drums
and vocals), and Martin Zellar
(guitar
and vocals). The songwriting was handled primarily by Zellar, though Dankert also had several songs of note, including crowd favorite "Time Heals" and "One Voice," which is the song that includes the hidden track "Zamboni" on "Billys Live Bait."
Their most notable mainstream success was when they played Late Night with David Letterman
in 1991. Ciola and Dankert did not play on the show because many bands simply sat in with Paul Shaffer
and The World's Most Dangerous Band when playing the show. Zellar had this to say of the experience: "I was so nervous, and it happened so quick. I couldn't tell you what the hell happened. I got done, and I was walking back and said to Randy (Broughton), 'Did I sing all the words? Did I do that?' When I watched it that night in the hotel room (the Omni in New York
), I had no recollection of having lived it."
The band officially broke up in 1992 but has performed reunion concerts nearly every summer since 1998 throughout the midwest.
"Zamboni
" is their best-known song, having been featured in the movies D2: The Mighty Ducks
and Mystery, Alaska
, as well as on the acclaimed television program Malcolm in the Middle
. It's also a staple at hockey games throughout North America.
After the Gear Daddies broke up, lead singer Martin Zellar embarked on a solo career, first by himself, and then with his band "The Hardways," which featured Gear Daddy" Nick Ciola on bass. The Martin Zellar and the Hardways live album "Two Guitars, Drum and Bass" features the Gear Daddies' songs "Wear Your Crown", "She's Happy", and "Drank So Much." He was also known in the late 1990s for his tribute to Neil Diamond, which featured Ciola, as well as a number of local Twin Cities musicians, and performed simply as "Neil!"
Zellar currently resides in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, with his wife and children, but returns to the United States occasionally to perform.
Electric guitarist, Randy Broughten is currently a Physical education teacher at Rosemount High School
in Rosemount, Minnesota
. He has also been the steel guitar player with Minneapolis country band "Trailer Trash" for many years, who are known for their annual Christmas shows, and who also had a cameo in the mockumentary film Dill Scallion
.
Bass player Ciola resides in the Minneapolis area and has played continuously with Zellar since the original breakup of the band.
Drummer Dankert also resides in the Twin Cities area, and has released several albums with his band "The Real Austinaires."
The Gear Daddies were an influence on a number of bands that emerged in the upper midwest in the late 1980s through the 1990s, including Johnny Clueless, The Billy's
, Violet, Shoot Lucy, Dazy Head Mazy, Groundhouse and Six Mile Grove
.
Austin, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,168.2 people per square mile . There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile...
that enjoyed moderate success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its members were Randy Broughten (electric
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
and steel guitar
Steel guitar
Steel guitar is a type of guitar or the method of playing the instrument. Developed in Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a steel guitar is usually positioned horizontally; strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of one or more strings with the use...
), Nick Ciola
Nick Ciola
Nick Ciola is the former bass guitarist for the Gear Daddies and the current bassist for Martin Zellar and The Hardways. He was born and raised in Austin, Minnesota.- References :...
(bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), Billy Dankert
Billy Dankert
James "Billy" Dankert was born and raised in Austin, Minnesota. As a musician in the 1980s and 1990s, Dankert earned a modicum of fame as drummer, singer, and songwriter for Minneapolis-based band Gear Daddies. After the breakup of the band, he returned to school to study language and literature...
(drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and vocals), and Martin Zellar
Martin Zellar
Martin Zellar born June 14, 1963, is the lead singer, main songwriter, and guitarist for the country-tinged rock band the Gear Daddies from Austin, Minnesota. After the band broke up in 1992, Zellar went on to form Martin Zellar and The Hardways...
(guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and vocals). The songwriting was handled primarily by Zellar, though Dankert also had several songs of note, including crowd favorite "Time Heals" and "One Voice," which is the song that includes the hidden track "Zamboni" on "Billys Live Bait."
Their most notable mainstream success was when they played Late Night with David Letterman
Late Night with David Letterman
Late Night with David Letterman is a nightly hour-long comedy talk show on NBC that was created and hosted by David Letterman. It premiered in 1982 as the first incarnation of the Late Night franchise and went off the air in 1993, after Letterman left NBC and moved to Late Show on CBS. Late Night...
in 1991. Ciola and Dankert did not play on the show because many bands simply sat in with Paul Shaffer
Paul Shaffer
Paul Allen Wood Shaffer, CM is a Canadian musician, actor, voice actor, author, comedian, and composer who has been David Letterman's sidekick since 1982.-Early years:...
and The World's Most Dangerous Band when playing the show. Zellar had this to say of the experience: "I was so nervous, and it happened so quick. I couldn't tell you what the hell happened. I got done, and I was walking back and said to Randy (Broughton), 'Did I sing all the words? Did I do that?' When I watched it that night in the hotel room (the Omni in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
), I had no recollection of having lived it."
The band officially broke up in 1992 but has performed reunion concerts nearly every summer since 1998 throughout the midwest.
"Zamboni
Zamboni (song)
"Zamboni" is a song written by Martin Zellar and recorded by his band Gear Daddies. The song tells the story of a man's desire to drive an ice resurfacer, popularly known by the brand name "Zamboni", and his request to drive the Zamboni for his local ice hockey team...
" is their best-known song, having been featured in the movies D2: The Mighty Ducks
D2: The Mighty Ducks
D2: The Mighty Ducks is the second film in The Mighty Ducks trilogy and the first theatrical sequel to The Mighty Ducks. It was produced by Avnet–Kerner Productions and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, and it was originally released on March 25, 1994...
and Mystery, Alaska
Mystery, Alaska
Mystery, Alaska is a 1999 drama directed by Jay Roach about a fictional small-town ice hockey team that plays a game against the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League. It was shot in Banff National Park and Canmore, Alberta.-Plot:...
, as well as on the acclaimed television program Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle is an American television sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for the Fox Network. The series was first broadcast on January 9, 2000, and ended its six-and-a-half-year run on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons and 151 episodes...
. It's also a staple at hockey games throughout North America.
After the Gear Daddies broke up, lead singer Martin Zellar embarked on a solo career, first by himself, and then with his band "The Hardways," which featured Gear Daddy" Nick Ciola on bass. The Martin Zellar and the Hardways live album "Two Guitars, Drum and Bass" features the Gear Daddies' songs "Wear Your Crown", "She's Happy", and "Drank So Much." He was also known in the late 1990s for his tribute to Neil Diamond, which featured Ciola, as well as a number of local Twin Cities musicians, and performed simply as "Neil!"
Zellar currently resides in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, with his wife and children, but returns to the United States occasionally to perform.
Electric guitarist, Randy Broughten is currently a Physical education teacher at Rosemount High School
Rosemount High School
Rosemount High School is a public four-year high school in Rosemount, Minnesota founded in 1918. The school is a member of Minnesota Independent School District 196...
in Rosemount, Minnesota
Rosemount, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,619 people, 4,742 households, and 3,931 families residing in the city. The population density was 434.2 people per square mile . There were 4,845 housing units at an average density of 143.9 per square mile...
. He has also been the steel guitar player with Minneapolis country band "Trailer Trash" for many years, who are known for their annual Christmas shows, and who also had a cameo in the mockumentary film Dill Scallion
Dill Scallion
Dill Scallion is a 1999 feature film mockumentary that follows the rise and fall of a country-western singer, Dill Scallion . It was written and directed by Jordan Brady...
.
Bass player Ciola resides in the Minneapolis area and has played continuously with Zellar since the original breakup of the band.
Drummer Dankert also resides in the Twin Cities area, and has released several albums with his band "The Real Austinaires."
The Gear Daddies were an influence on a number of bands that emerged in the upper midwest in the late 1980s through the 1990s, including Johnny Clueless, The Billy's
The Billy's
The Billy's are an American rock band from the Twin Cities. They recorded 3 studio albums in the mid to late 90's which were released by the OarFin Records label. Their sound generally falling under the Alternative country label, they were often compared to the Gear Daddies. The band built a...
, Violet, Shoot Lucy, Dazy Head Mazy, Groundhouse and Six Mile Grove
Six Mile Grove
Six Mile Grove is a four-piece Alternative country outfit based in Rochester, Minnesota. The band draws influences from various genres such as oldies, Bluegrass, and classic country.- Members :* Brandon Sampson - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and harmonica...
.
Discography
- Albums
- Let's Go Scare AlLet's Go Scare AlLet's Go Scare Al was the first album recorded by the Austin, Minnesota band the Gear Daddies. The album was released in 1988 on the Gark record label, and re-released in 1989 on Polygram Records.-Track listing:# Cut Me Off# Statue of Jesus...
(1988) - Billy's Live BaitBilly's Live BaitBilly's Live Bait was the second album recorded by Austin, Minnesota band the Gear Daddies. It was their first release for a major label.-Track listing:#"Stupid Boy"#"Sonic Boom"#"Wear Your Crown"#"Don't Look at Me"#"Time Heals"#"Gonna Change"...
(1990) - Can't Have Nothin' NiceCan't Have Nothin' NiceCan't Have Nothin' Nice is the third and final album recorded by Austin, Minnesota band the Gear Daddies. It is a collection of new and live versions of previously released songs as well as new songs that had never been released on an album...
(1992)
- Let's Go Scare Al
- EPs
- Color Of Her EyesColor Of Her EyesColor of Her Eyes is a 1990 EP by the Gear Daddies. The song Color of Her Eyes is also on their full-length album Billy's Live Bait.-Track listing:#Color of Her Eyes#Color of Her Eyes #The Tide Is High...
(1990)
- Color Of Her Eyes
- Miscellaneous
- The song "ZamboniZamboni (song)"Zamboni" is a song written by Martin Zellar and recorded by his band Gear Daddies. The song tells the story of a man's desire to drive an ice resurfacer, popularly known by the brand name "Zamboni", and his request to drive the Zamboni for his local ice hockey team...
" appeared on the soundtrackSoundtrackA soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
s for the DisneyThe Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
movies:- D2: The Mighty DucksD2: The Mighty DucksD2: The Mighty Ducks is the second film in The Mighty Ducks trilogy and the first theatrical sequel to The Mighty Ducks. It was produced by Avnet–Kerner Productions and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, and it was originally released on March 25, 1994...
(1994) - D2: Mighty Ducks/D3: Mighty Ducks (1997)
- Mystery, AlaskaMystery, AlaskaMystery, Alaska is a 1999 drama directed by Jay Roach about a fictional small-town ice hockey team that plays a game against the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League. It was shot in Banff National Park and Canmore, Alberta.-Plot:...
- D2: The Mighty Ducks
External links
- http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/82301762.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU