According to founder and frontman Steve Perry, "The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies" are not a "Retro Thing." At first listen one would tend to disagree. After all, these guys play swing, right? Cut and dry they are dipping back into the era of the Big Band, no? Well actually, no. On a second listen you realize these guys truly are re-inventing Swing, which is what makes it cool. I mean after all, could you actually picture any self respecting rock station playing some old swing/big band tune and trying to pass it off as cool? Of course not - which is why The Daddies have made an amazing Hybrid of Swing/Ska/Punk delivered with an attitude that just oozes cool. Perry sites that much like bands pushing third wave Ska, "The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies" front third wave Swing, only there
has never been a swing wave, ever.

Conceived in the Pacific Northwest (Eugene, Oregon), at a time when grunge was running the show, Steve Perry (Vocals/Guitar), Jason Moss (Guitar), Daniel Schmid (Bass), Tim Donahue (Trumpet), Sean Flannery (Tenor Saxophone), Ian Early (Baritone & Alto Saxophones) and Dustin Lanker (Keyboards) set out to create a sound that had the attitude and energy of punk/ska with the slickness of the Zoot Suit swing days. The result was a few independent releases which lead to their Mojo Debut "Zoot Suit Riot" which takes the best tracks of those independent releases and adds four new tunes to the mix, including the tittle track.

Perry delivers each lyric with style, class and a smirk, not an easy task when you think about it. He somehow incorporates that cool, styling attitude in a "piss off," ala punk way. The band overall is so crisp and punchy you just can’t help bobbing along. Songs like "Brown Derby Jump" make you want to bounce around the living room. You just can’t help but snap your fingers to "Dr. Bones." "Here Comes The Snake" slithers through the stereo speakers with horns that can be described as nothing less then sexy. From the Tin Pan Alley influenced riffs of "When I Change Your Mind," and the vampish "Shake your Love Maker," to the subversive R&B jump of " No Mercy For Swine," these guys just really know how to make you move.

Songs like "Mister White Keys" stand out with horns that make ya wanna do the hustle. Donahue leads the rhythm in a mellow rat-ta-tat progression that keeps you snapping. Perry delivers a snarky lyrical commentary about a typical man about town character, picking up the chics and hitting the clubs. The horns pop and snap, accenting the song troughout. There is just so much going on in the music that it's captivating.

As an ardent fan of the big band/swing era, Perry moves under the influence of such artist as Louis Prima, Fletcher Henderson and Count Basie, while still maintaining touch with the modern day punk and ska scene, combining old-school flavor with a visionary spark. Instead of jumping on the flavor of the month band wagon, The Daddies spearhead their own, with bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddies, and many others, following close behind.

Between the incredible radio and video success with the title track, playing out with Ska big shots like Reel Big Fish, The Bosstones, and Less then Jake, their involvement in the WARPED Tour, and the fact that these guys just simply kick ass, "The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies" are a band that will not soon be forgotten. My advice is to pick this record up, gear up in your zoot suit, floppy hat and pocket watch, and groove to the masterful tracks on this disc. This one is just happening.