The Zambonis
Five Minute Major (In D Minor)
(Blue Line)
Do non-hockey fans enjoy The Zambonis as I do? These clever boys know the game, and in the latest endearment to us puck lovers, they open their great sixth album with a rousing, horn-honking, surf-rock cover of “Brass Bonanza,” the forgotten fight song of The Hartford Whalers—their local team, relocated to North Carolina in 1997. And certainly, Dave Schnieder’s institution has sung of the frozen game in many underground rock styles (and ska) for two decades and has been recognized by the NHL, playing at the 2002 and 2011 All-Star Games. But their other calling card is catchy tunes with an “endless party” feeling of goofy good times. And their lyrics are double-entendres for relationships, so you’re actually good—even if you don’t know Toe Blake from gout, or Gordie Howe from General William Howe, you’ll be singing like a lifelong Canuck or Oiler subscriber to the winsome pop of “Captain,” the funny rave up “Wild Hockey Weekend” and early ’60s chart rock revival of “I Got a Concussion (When I Fell For You”). And doesn’t “Hockey Mom” sound like Fountains of Wayne? In the parlance, the Zambonis grind it out, but they also fill the net! JACK RABID
Bonus points for us for the review being penned by founder/writer Jack Rabid himself. Glad he is a hockey fan.
The issue were in (#70) features Nada Surf (on the cover), The Damned, The Descendents, New Zealand’s Flying Nun Records (30-Year Anniversary!) The Hold Steady, Thomas Dolby, 70s cult star Peter Stampfel, Zambonis and more!
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