Polka Haunt Us Joins NeverEndingWonder Halloween Radio

Gothic Polka? Can it be true? It IS!

Veronique Chevalier's new release Polka Haunt Us (get it?) has joined the playlist of the NeverEndingWonder Halloween Radio Empire. Joining the ranks of alternative polka releases, such as The Polka Floyd Show earlier this year, it really seems there's a movement afoot to demonstrate that the polka is not just a quaint dance form practiced by drunken Europeans.

Musically and lyrically this album is dynamic, challenging and invigorating. By combining polka tempos with lyrics that tell spooky stories this offering is completely original and a joy to listen to. It's perfect for this time of year- or, for fans of refreshing musical treats, it's perfect for any time.

Some songs are played for laughs, such as The Beer Hall in Hell, but some- like Ghost Train, are powerful musical tales of the supernatural. Earlier this year I would have said that there was no way you could pull off a polka version of Pink Floyd. Polka Floyd proved me wrong. Now I must add to that list of improbabilities that work perfectly, the genre of Gothic Polka.

Chevalier has packed her release with top notch talent such as master yodeler Kerry Christensen, 2007 polka Grammy nominee Alex Meixner, Marion Ramsey (from the Police Academy films), and many more.

Polka- it's not just for the beer and bratwurst set any more. Artists like Weird Al, Polka Floyd and now Veronique Chevalier are showing us that polkas can not only rock, they can be valid methods of artist personal expression. It takes a lot of talent to pull something like this off, but Chevalier has it aplenty. Check it out.

You can hear Polka Haunt Us on the NeverEndingWonder Halloween Radio Empire.




NeverEndingWonder Halloween Radio

Polka Haunt Us Website

CD Review: The Polka Floyd Show

The Polka Floyd Show is just the kind of music we love here at NeverEndingWonder Radio - completely unclassifiable. It is simply exactly what it sounds like- 7 Pink Floyd songs played as polkas. If you're expecting a comedic accordion rave up ala Weird Al, though, you'll be disappointed. This is an accomplished high octane rock band, with an accordion, playing in the 2/4 beat of polka music. Though it is energetic good fun it's not exactly played for laughs. Well, not COMPLETELY for laughs.

Their rendition of "One of These Days" is a case in point. It starts off as a straightforward tribute to Floyd with the eerie wind noises and the bass notes. It's pure Floyd until the accordion comes in and gives it an off kilter quality that takes it in another direction briefly, and then suddenly they're back with a searing guitar lead that really takes the song into high gear. Yet, in the background there's that polka beat.... and it WORKS! They even manage to incorporate a snippet of a riff from the Wizard of Oz score.

Perhaps my favorite song is their reading of "Hey You." It starts off simply, evoking a simple European folk melody with plaintive vocals and the subtle accordion work of Eric Hite. But soon enough the band is there rocking out, taking it just to the edge - then pulling back, and there's that rollicking polka beat. Once again it works marvelously

Their magnum opus is a ten minute version of Breathe/Time that simultaneously leaves you in awe of this band's ability to rock out in the best classic rock tradition AND make you walk to get up and do a polka. Astounding! I think they've created a new genre of music- Rock Polka. The Polka Floyd Show hails from Toledo- and where else could something like this happen?

Guitarist & vocalist Ken Haas keeps the band reaching for rock Heaven while accordionist Eric Hite makes everything dance. Bass player Chris Zielinski, drummer Frank Dramczyk and keyboard player Penny Haas all contribute their considerable talents making this a band that stands up in its own right. I'd listen to them play ANYTHING- but when it's Pink Floyd's classic songs played polka style that's something just beautiful.

My only minor quibble with this release is that it focuses almost entirely on Roger Waters compositions. There is one Syd Barrett song, but maybe in the future they could try their hand at Saucerful of Secrets or Comfortably Numb. This is a minor complaint, however. This release shines.

Band website:
The Polka Floyd Show

The Polka Floyd Show can be heard on NeverEndingWonder Radio