OFFICIAL Zydepunks WEBSITE

The Zydepunks dare you to sit still. By combining several folk traditions (Klezmer, Celtic, Cape Breton, and of course, Zydeco) along with an adrenaline-fueled punk ethos, the band has catapulted beyond their New Orleans cult following to attract audiences all over the US, young and old, square and hip. "It's not unusual to see a few gray-haired fans mixed in with the tattoos and piercings at our shows," says singer-accordionist Christian Kuffner. "It's great to see punk kids jumping around to the music, then watch as older people step up for waltzes."

The band formed in 2004 when Kuffner and fellow busker Eve Venema recruited other New Orleans street performers to join in some regular club shows. Since then, they've released three CDs (including 2007's Exile Waltz), lost a couple of members due to relocation from Hurrican Katrina, toured extensively in the US and Europe, and this year added the Main Stage of the NOLA Jazz & Heritage Festival to list of accomplishments.

"The Zydepunks' set at this year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival had the Cajun waltzers baffled. Everyone else just jumped for joy to the speed-core mˇlange of klezmer tornadoes, Balkan dances, Celtic reels and bayou-squeezebox war." - David Fricke, Rolling Stone

"One of the top ten highlights of the 2008 NOLA Jazz & Heritage Festival... Furious energy!" - USA Today

"World music never sounded like so much frantic, frenetic and sweat-soaked fun." - Atlanta Creative Loafing

Media Coverage
Zydepunks' Press Page

MP3s
Dear Molly
When My Ship Sails Away