Summer Hockey Rock in Roxbury, CT

(Photo: The Zamboni’s Rock Band perform in Roxbury, CT)

(Article content and photos provided by MN native Ron Faanes, founding member of the Old Crabs Hockey Club in Danbury, CT)

Earlier this summer, the Minor Memorial Library in Roxbury, CT sponsored a Summer Concert Series featuring the famous hockey band, The Zamboni’s.

Few rock bands have appealed to fans young and old, but the quirky 100% hockey-rock Zambonis have somehow prevailed as the most popular sports-rock band in North America. The Zambonis formed in Bridgeport, CT, in 1991 when singer/guitarist Dave Schneider envisioned a group that played nothing but songs about hockey.  Songs like Breakaway, Referees Daughter. Grezsky Twist, Penalty Box and many others entertained the crowd. 

CT hockey fans enjoying the Zamboni’s concert

The band has been featured in Billboard Magazine and on ESPN and performed in stadiums around the world including Madison Square Garden.

In 2002, The Zambonis made their most memorable appearance to date: an on-ice performance during the 2002 NHL All-Star Game at the Staples Center in L.A., where they performed alongside such notable mainstream acts as Jewel, Five for Fighting and Unwritten Law.

Some of their other hits are: “Hockey Monkey”, “Boom Boom Boom”, and “I Wanna Drive The Zamboni” which was featured on the soundtrack of “Blades Of Glory”, a film starring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite).

The Zambonis feature: Dave Schneider, Jon Aley, Shawn Fogel, Mat Orefice, Tom Andrukevich, Cary Pollick, Tarquin Katis, Peter Katis, and Matt Gonzales.

Guitarist and Zambonis’ producer, Peter Katis, has made quite a name for himself off the ice. In addition to releasing his band The Philistines jr album in 2010, Peter has gained acclaim for his recent recording/production work with Interpol, The National, Jonnsi (Sigur Ros), Swell Season, Mates Of State, Frightened Rabbit, Guster, Get Up Kids, Von Bondies, Spoon, and much much more. Each act faced off with Peter at Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the home recording facility of The Zambonis.

The New Yorker writes: “The Zambonis may sound like a simple novelty act, but it scores repeatedly with a bunch of snappy little power-pop songs. Even if you wouldn’t know what a slapshot was if it hit you in the face, you’ll cheer.”

Time Out New York: “They’re actually funny and actually rock!”

Question is: When are they coming to Minnesota?