Zambonis Electrify ‘Hockey Rock’

Do you love rock and roll music? Do you love hockey? Do you love hockey rock music? You probably have never listened to hockey rock music if you haven’t listened to the Zambonis.

“I always wanted to do something that has never been done before. No band has ever written all their songs about hockey. It was meant to be a silly little joke and it turned out to be a great challenge that lasted 17 years and counting. “

The band has toured all over the United States, playing clubs, N.H.L hockey games, and everything in-between.

Schneider said that the band’s most memorable gig was “playing on the ice of the Staples Center in Los Angeles in front of 22,000 people at the NHL ALL STAR GAME.  Playing in a small punk rock club in Latvia was a close 2nd.”

The Zambonis have also played at Madison Square Garden three times, a venue that the majority of great bands only dream of playing once.

“We played The Garden 3 times. Once in 1995, warming up for the Monster Trucks. You got to start somewhere! I am still smelling those exhaust fumes. Then we played the Garden for two New York Rangers events,” Schhneider explained.

Schneider has written several theme songs for hockey teams with his bandmates. “We wrote theme songs for The Bruins, The Avalanche, The Hartford Whalers, and many minor league teams.”

The band recently produced a ten-song digital release, called “Fight on the Ice,” which is also the name of a song on the album. Additionally, The Zambonis Greatest Hits record is scheduled for release in June.  If that’s not enough hockey rock, a new full-length album called “Hockey Rocks” is scheduled for release in December.  

Schneider seems to have a passion for writing unusual rock music. He spends his winter months with his side-project, The Leevees. The Leevees are a rock band that performs humorous songs exclusively about Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays. The band was formed with Adam Gardner, guitarist and singer of the alternative rock band, Guster. The Leevees have toured nationally, opening for the Barenaked Ladies, and even playing with the Boston Pops Orcheastra.  The band released an album called “Hanukkah Rocks” in 2005.  (For more information on the Leevees, check out myspace.com/theleevees or www.theleevees.com.)

Although their musical careers keep them busy, Schneider and the other members of the Zambonis all have day jobs.  

“I work for the Versus network, a hockey channel, and am the on ice MC for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, a New York Islanders Farm Team,” Schneider explained. His bandmates have jobs including record producers, music teachers, and web designers.  Schneider feels it’s difficult balancing their jobs and family lives with the demands of being in a touring rock band.

Although it’s been a challenge, the Zambonis have spent seventeen years doing what they love. Schneider sums it up, “We love hockey and we love music and we are a tight team.”

For more information on the only hockey rock band, check out myspace.com/thezambonis, or www.thezambonis.com.