Biography
Squirrel Nut Zippers reached major-label status precisely as the 1990s swing revival reached its peak. Although the ensemble drew from New Orleans jazz, hot dance music, Harlem jazz, and other high-energy prewar American styles rather than Rat Pack repertoire, the concurrent lounge revival nevertheless carried their June 1996 album Hot and its single "Hell" onto the Billboard charts. The group maintained an active touring schedule through the early 2000s before pausing operations. Jimbo Mathus reassembled the project in 2008 for a concert recording, yet the next studio album, Beasts of Burgundy, did not appear until 2018. The refreshed lineup maintained momentum into the subsequent decade with the 2020 release Lost Songs of Doc Souchon.
Jimbo Mathus (vocals, guitar, trombone) and Katharine Whalen (vocals, banjo) established Squirrel Nut Zippers in 1993 within the Chapel Hill vicinity of North Carolina. After relocating to the neighboring hamlet of Efland, the pair restored a farmhouse while exploring assorted crafts; the band coalesced once Mathus and Whalen connected with local residents Don Raleigh (bass) and Ken Mosher (guitar, saxophone, vocals), all of whom shared a passion for hot jazz. Chris Phillips (drums, percussion), Tom Maxwell (vocals, guitar, baritone saxophone, clarinet), and Je Widenhouse (trumpet) soon joined, completing a lineup named for a vintage candy bar. The musicians performed their first show in Chapel Hill and rapidly cultivated a substantial regional following across the South.
Mammoth Records signed the act before the close of 1994, issuing the debut album The Inevitable in spring 1995. Although touring generated initial notice, the June 1996 follow-up Hot delivered the decisive breakthrough. Early 1997 saw "Hell" gain traction at Los Angeles station KROQ, prompting MTV to designate the video a buzz clip; modern-rock airplay intensified shortly thereafter. Hot advanced to number 27 on the Billboard album chart and earned gold certification in May, then platinum status by year’s end following the summer single "Put a Lid on It." The Sold Out EP also surfaced in 1997.
The sequel Perennial Favorites arrived in August 1998, reaching number 18 on the Billboard Top 200 and attaining gold certification the following month, while Christmas Caravan appeared in October of the same year. Bedlam Ballroom followed in 2000 yet peaked no higher than number 195 on the Billboard Top 200, after which Squirrel Nut Zippers entered a prolonged hiatus. Mathus and Whalen divorced, each pursuing solo work, while Chris Phillips performed with the Dickies and launched the Lamps. A 2007 reunion brought together Mathus, Whalen, Phillips, Stuart Cole, Will Dawson, and Je Widenhouse for dates extending into 2008; the live album Lost at Sea captured a December 2008 Brooklyn performance.
A second pause ensued until Mathus assembled a fresh configuration in 2016 to mark the twentieth anniversary of Hot, remaining the sole original member although Phillips served as manager. Satisfied with the new personnel, Mathus and Phillips entered the studio, resulting in the March 2018 album Beasts of Burgundy. The band reinforced its resurgence with 2020’s Lost Songs of Doc Souchon, comprising newly written material alongside reinterpretations inspired by New Orleans jazz preservationist Edmond "Doc" Souchon. The set included a guest appearance by Andrew Bird, a former Squirrel Nut Zippers participant and frequent 1990s collaborator. In the following year Mathus and Bird issued the duo album These 13.
Jimbo Mathus (vocals, guitar, trombone) and Katharine Whalen (vocals, banjo) established Squirrel Nut Zippers in 1993 within the Chapel Hill vicinity of North Carolina. After relocating to the neighboring hamlet of Efland, the pair restored a farmhouse while exploring assorted crafts; the band coalesced once Mathus and Whalen connected with local residents Don Raleigh (bass) and Ken Mosher (guitar, saxophone, vocals), all of whom shared a passion for hot jazz. Chris Phillips (drums, percussion), Tom Maxwell (vocals, guitar, baritone saxophone, clarinet), and Je Widenhouse (trumpet) soon joined, completing a lineup named for a vintage candy bar. The musicians performed their first show in Chapel Hill and rapidly cultivated a substantial regional following across the South.
Mammoth Records signed the act before the close of 1994, issuing the debut album The Inevitable in spring 1995. Although touring generated initial notice, the June 1996 follow-up Hot delivered the decisive breakthrough. Early 1997 saw "Hell" gain traction at Los Angeles station KROQ, prompting MTV to designate the video a buzz clip; modern-rock airplay intensified shortly thereafter. Hot advanced to number 27 on the Billboard album chart and earned gold certification in May, then platinum status by year’s end following the summer single "Put a Lid on It." The Sold Out EP also surfaced in 1997.
The sequel Perennial Favorites arrived in August 1998, reaching number 18 on the Billboard Top 200 and attaining gold certification the following month, while Christmas Caravan appeared in October of the same year. Bedlam Ballroom followed in 2000 yet peaked no higher than number 195 on the Billboard Top 200, after which Squirrel Nut Zippers entered a prolonged hiatus. Mathus and Whalen divorced, each pursuing solo work, while Chris Phillips performed with the Dickies and launched the Lamps. A 2007 reunion brought together Mathus, Whalen, Phillips, Stuart Cole, Will Dawson, and Je Widenhouse for dates extending into 2008; the live album Lost at Sea captured a December 2008 Brooklyn performance.
A second pause ensued until Mathus assembled a fresh configuration in 2016 to mark the twentieth anniversary of Hot, remaining the sole original member although Phillips served as manager. Satisfied with the new personnel, Mathus and Phillips entered the studio, resulting in the March 2018 album Beasts of Burgundy. The band reinforced its resurgence with 2020’s Lost Songs of Doc Souchon, comprising newly written material alongside reinterpretations inspired by New Orleans jazz preservationist Edmond "Doc" Souchon. The set included a guest appearance by Andrew Bird, a former Squirrel Nut Zippers participant and frequent 1990s collaborator. In the following year Mathus and Bird issued the duo album These 13.