The Zambonis
Encyclopedia
The Zambonis are a Connecticut
-based indie rock
band formed in 1991 by musicians Dave Schneider (The LeeVees
), Peter Katis
, Jon Aley, and Tarquin Katis. The Zambonis write songs exclusively about hockey. Schneider says of the bands musical style: “We’re the only band in the world whose two biggest influences are The Beatles and Wayne Gretzky!”
In deference to the ice resurfacer
and Frank Zamboni
, The Zambonis are a licensee of the Zamboni Corporation.
The Zambonis debut album, "100% Hockey...and other stuff", was recorded at Tarquin Studios in Connecticut, USA and was released in 1996. The 15-song disc cracked the Top 40 on the CMJ charts, and was added to the NHL, NCAA and minor league hockey arena playlists.
In October 1999, the band released its second full-length album, "More Songs About Hockey...and buildings and food".
The NHL has commissioned the group to compose theme songs for the Boston Bruins
and the Colorado Avalanche
. Along with Jewel
and Five for Fighting
, the Zambonis opened the 2002 NHL All-Star Game. The Zambonis have extensively toured with the Stanley Cup
and have fundraised for Matt Cullen
's organization: Cully's Kids.
In 2003, The Zambonis released a new album, Chippy Sessions, a compilation of rare live cuts, singles and demos.
.
In March 2006 The Zambonis single, “Hockey Monkey” (co-written by cartoonist James Kochalka
) was chosen by Fox
as the theme song to a new sitcom called The Loop
.
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
-based indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band formed in 1991 by musicians Dave Schneider (The LeeVees
The LeeVees
The LeeVees is a rock band from New York City featuring Adam Gardner of Guster and Dave Schneider of the Zambonis. The band was formed when the two bands went on tour together. The latter band only writes songs about hockey...
), Peter Katis
Peter Katis
Peter Katis is an American record producer, engineer, mixer and musician.Working primarily out of his own residential studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Katis is best known for producing alternative and indie rock bands, especially for Fat Cat Records.-Biography:Katis attended New Canaan Country...
, Jon Aley, and Tarquin Katis. The Zambonis write songs exclusively about hockey. Schneider says of the bands musical style: “We’re the only band in the world whose two biggest influences are The Beatles and Wayne Gretzky!”
In deference to the ice resurfacer
Ice resurfacer
An ice resurfacer is a truck-like vehicle or smaller device used to clean and smooth the surface of an ice rink. The first ice resurfacer was developed by Frank J. Zamboni in 1949 in the city of Paramount, California...
and Frank Zamboni
Frank Zamboni
Frank Joseph Zamboni, Jr. was a U.S. inventor whose most famous invention is the modern ice resurfacer, with his surname becoming a generic colloquialism and trademark for these resurfacers.-Biography:...
, The Zambonis are a licensee of the Zamboni Corporation.
The Zambonis debut album, "100% Hockey...and other stuff", was recorded at Tarquin Studios in Connecticut, USA and was released in 1996. The 15-song disc cracked the Top 40 on the CMJ charts, and was added to the NHL, NCAA and minor league hockey arena playlists.
In October 1999, the band released its second full-length album, "More Songs About Hockey...and buildings and food".
The NHL has commissioned the group to compose theme songs for the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
and the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
. Along with Jewel
Jewel (singer)
Jewel Kilcher , professionally known as Jewel, is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, actress and poet...
and Five for Fighting
Five for Fighting
Five for Fighting is the stage name of American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik. He is best known for his piano-based rock, such as the Top 40 songs "Superman " , "100 Years" , and "The Riddle" .-Early years:...
, the Zambonis opened the 2002 NHL All-Star Game. The Zambonis have extensively toured with the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
and have fundraised for Matt Cullen
Matt Cullen
Matthew David Cullen is a professional ice hockey center, who currently is an alternate captain of the Minnesota Wild of the NHL.-Playing career:...
's organization: Cully's Kids.
In 2003, The Zambonis released a new album, Chippy Sessions, a compilation of rare live cuts, singles and demos.
Members
- Dave Schneider - guitar, bass, vocals
- Jon Aley - guitar, bass, keyboards, drums
- Mat Orefice - drums, vocals
- Tom Andrukevich - bass, guitar, vocals
- Shawn FogelShawn Fogel-Life:Shawn Matthew Fogel was born on December 12, 1981 in New York State. He began learning how to play music as a young child, picking up the piano in third grade...
- guitar, bass, keyboards, sax, vocals - Tarquin Katis - bass, hardcore vocalist
- Peter KatisPeter KatisPeter Katis is an American record producer, engineer, mixer and musician.Working primarily out of his own residential studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Katis is best known for producing alternative and indie rock bands, especially for Fat Cat Records.-Biography:Katis attended New Canaan Country...
- producer, guitar, drums, vocals - Steve Tanski - guitar, bass, vocals
- Matt Gonzalez - Hockey Monkey
In popular media
In 2002, four Zambonis songs were featured on the Midway video game NHL Hitz 20-03NHL Hitz 20-03
NHL Hitz 2003, also known as NHL Hitz 20-03, is a hockey video game developed by Black Box Games and Exient Entertainment, and published by Midway Games. The game was released on the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, as well as Game Boy Advance...
.
In March 2006 The Zambonis single, “Hockey Monkey” (co-written by cartoonist James Kochalka
James Kochalka
James Kochalka is an American comic book artist and writer, and rock musician. His comics are noted for their blending of the real and the surreal...
) was chosen by Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
as the theme song to a new sitcom called The Loop
The Loop (TV series)
The Loop is an American sitcom that ran from March 15, 2006 to July 1, 2007 on Fox. The show starred Bret Harrison as Sam Sullivan, a young professional trying to balance the needs of his social life with the pressures of working at the corporate headquarters of TransAlliance Airways, a major U.S....
.
Albums
- 100% Hockey...and other stuff (1996)
- More Songs About Hockey...and buildings and food (1999)
- To Bleed Black and Gold (2000)
- Chippy Sessions (2003)
- Greatest Hits (2007, NettwerkNettwerkThe Nettwerk Music Group is the umbrella company for Nettwerk Management, Nettwerk Records, Nettwerk One Publishing, Nutone Records, and Artwerk. With over 150 employees, the Vancouver-based company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Boston, Nashville, and Hamburg...
) - Fight On The Ice (2008)
Singles/EPs/Compilations
- "Away Game/Referee's Daughter/Shot Score " (1995)
- "Play-Off Fever EP " (1997)
- "Avalanche" (1997, split single with Lazerboy)
- "Tarquin Records Holiday Extravaganza" (1997 compilation)
- "Red Roses For Me" (2000, compilation)
- "Greasy Kid Stuff (album)Greasy Kid Stuff (album)Greasy Kid Stuff is the second Gym Class Heroes EP, released independently in 2000. It is their last release until their first full length, ...For the Kids....
" (2002, compilation) - Split EP with Harry and the PottersHarry and the PottersHarry and the Potters are an American alternative rock band known for spawning the genre of wizard rock. Founded in Norwood, Massachusetts, the group is primarily composed of Joe and Paul DeGeorge, who both perform under the persona of the title character from the Harry Potter book series...
(2006 compilation) - "Up End Atom" - Atom and His Package Tribute (2009 compilation)
External links
- thezambonis.com - Official page
- The Zambonis MySpace page
- Zamboni Ice Resurfacer - Official page