The Squirrel Nut Zippers are an American swing band that formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1993. Their music style is a mix of Delta blues, gypsy jazz, 1930s swing, klezmer, and other styles. The term “Nut Zippers” is a southern term for a variety of old bootleg moonshine and the band’s name comes from a newspaper story about an intoxicated man who climbed a tree and refused to come down even after police arrived. The headline was “Squirrel Nut Zipper.”

They found success during the swing revival of the late 1990s with their 1996 single hit, “Hell”, written by vocalist and guitarist Tom Maxwell. Their second album, Hot (1996), was certified platinum and was also one of the first enhanced CDs, containing an interactive presentation created by filmmaker Clay Walker. The band has toured with singer Neil Young, performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and at President Clinton’s second inaugural ball. This holiday season, take a musical trip back in time and find out what the Squirrel Nut Zippers are all about!