The musical journey of the Squirrel Nut Zippers began in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in the mid 1990’s, as a musician’s escape from the cookie-cutter world of modern rock radio. Jimbo Mathus, along with drummer/percussionist Chris Phillips, formed the band as a casual musical foray among friends and family in the area. It wasn’t long before the band’s quirky mix of jazz chords, folk music, and punk rock leanings spread out of the region and attracted a national audience. LOST SONGS OF DOC SOUCHON released in 2020 is a combination of newly written Zippers material, along with a few songs from past times like “Animule Ball” which was originally recorded in 1938 by Jelly Roll Morton. In keeping with that time period, the band turned to their longtime friends at Fleischer Studios (home of Betty Boop) to use some of their historic animations for a video for the track.
The Squirrel Nut Zippers continue to confound audiences with their hybrid stew of Southern roots music, New Orleans Jazz, Vaudeville, Blues and a healthy touch irreverence. Not traditionalists – true originals.