Biography
Those Darn Accordions! reject the polka conventions tied to Lawrence Welk that earlier generations absorbed on weekend evenings. Their instruments deliver eccentric, humorous takes on Led Zeppelin and Grand Funk Railroad material just as readily as vigorous traditional polkas. Original material, marked by sharp wit and focused on subjects such as bowling and science fiction films, rounds out their sets. A vivid illustration of their performances might involve a tattooed octogenarian delivering “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” or “We’re an Accordion Band” set to the melody of “We’re an American Band.” The overall effect recalls polka’s counterpart to Weird Al Yankovic, with an accordion substituting for the usual parody vehicle.
The ensemble formed in 1989 for what was intended as a single appearance, initiated by accordionist Big Lou, formerly of Polkacide. At San Francisco’s Paradise Lounge she assembled every available accordion player willing to perform one evening’s set. Clyde Forsman accepted the call and stayed once Those Darn Accordions! solidified into a permanent group. Fellow accordionists include ex-Polkacide member Suzanne Garramone, Patty Brady formerly associated with the Ramonas, Paul Rogers, and Art Peterson. All six accordionists supplied vocals. Completing the lineup were bassist Lewis Wallace and drummer Billy Dee Boom, previously of the Witnesses. A later, reduced configuration featured front man Rogers alongside Garramone, Brady, Wallace, and drummer Bill Schwartz.
Early on the band deployed a dozen accordions for sudden commando-style incursions into neighborhood restaurants, performing “Lady of Spain” or comparable pieces before exiting through the back door. Rogers later assumed leadership and redirected the group away from these raids toward a more disciplined yet equally entertaining approach. Several members departed amid the shift to stricter rehearsals and related demands. By 1992 the ensemble traveled to an accordion competition in Italy. To finance the journey they played nothing but “Lady of Spain” for eight consecutive hours. The experience left them disinclined to revisit that piece. Although the contest itself brought no victory, it generated favorable coverage when the local newspaper featured the group on its front page; judges, however, remained unmoved by an accordion rendition of “Stairway to Heaven.” Subsequent audiences proved more receptive, leading to a 1998 appearance in Los Angeles at the American Music Awards.
The ensemble formed in 1989 for what was intended as a single appearance, initiated by accordionist Big Lou, formerly of Polkacide. At San Francisco’s Paradise Lounge she assembled every available accordion player willing to perform one evening’s set. Clyde Forsman accepted the call and stayed once Those Darn Accordions! solidified into a permanent group. Fellow accordionists include ex-Polkacide member Suzanne Garramone, Patty Brady formerly associated with the Ramonas, Paul Rogers, and Art Peterson. All six accordionists supplied vocals. Completing the lineup were bassist Lewis Wallace and drummer Billy Dee Boom, previously of the Witnesses. A later, reduced configuration featured front man Rogers alongside Garramone, Brady, Wallace, and drummer Bill Schwartz.
Early on the band deployed a dozen accordions for sudden commando-style incursions into neighborhood restaurants, performing “Lady of Spain” or comparable pieces before exiting through the back door. Rogers later assumed leadership and redirected the group away from these raids toward a more disciplined yet equally entertaining approach. Several members departed amid the shift to stricter rehearsals and related demands. By 1992 the ensemble traveled to an accordion competition in Italy. To finance the journey they played nothing but “Lady of Spain” for eight consecutive hours. The experience left them disinclined to revisit that piece. Although the contest itself brought no victory, it generated favorable coverage when the local newspaper featured the group on its front page; judges, however, remained unmoved by an accordion rendition of “Stairway to Heaven.” Subsequent audiences proved more receptive, leading to a 1998 appearance in Los Angeles at the American Music Awards.
Albums