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| Squirrel Nut Zippers to Perform in Carrboro, NC, at the Cat's Cradle on Thursday, Feb 8 Squirrel Nut Zippers wil perform in Carrboro, NC, at the Cat's Cradle on Thursday, Feb 8. "One day early last year I was just looking out the window when it hit me", says Chris Phillips, of the Squirrel Nut Zippers. "I thought, I miss those guys, let's do some shows." And just like that, the band that brought the world Perennial Favorites, Hot, Bedlam Ballroom, and The Inevitable are back to play their first four shows since touring behind Bedlam Ballroom in 2000. Featuring the same line up that last recorded and toured together, the Squirrel Nut Zippers – with original and founding members Katherine Whalen, Jimbo Mathus, Chris Phillips, Je Widenhouse and Stuart Cole – will be performing four shows this February. "It feels more positive now than ever", Phillips says, as the group prepares for their East Coast dates. Performing songs from the entire catalogue, the band still rejoices at the difficulty people have in pigeonholing their unmistakable sound. A perpetually evolving, hybrid-stew of Southern roots traditions, the Zippers were aptly tagged "'30s punk" by one critic, and have always flirted with a muse most concerned with ghosts, love gone wrong, fever-dreams, and the razor's edge of sexual desire. 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. "I always felt like we were making short movies rather than songs", Phillips says. Since last performing together, 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. Not to be outdone, Phillips and Cole have co-written Dancing to Morocco, a travel guide for Northern Africa based on their recent touring in the region with the Amazing Dancer Dance Troupe, while Widenhouse has performed throughout the country with numerous jazz groups. Life is mysterious. You never know when something might appear or disappear. Take it while you can get it, because for now, it's the Squirrel Nut Zippers. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |