OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Hey, remember back in the second half of the ’90s when an updated, hipster-y version of swing music came briefly into vogue?
Swing, rockabilly and other types and offshoots of old-school proto-rock ‘n’ roll have always enjoyed a niche audience, but the swing thing bubbled up from the underground in the wake of the comparatively downbeat grunge trend, thanks in no small part to Ventura, CA’s Big Bad Voodoo Daddy making a memorable appearance in the touchstone 1996 indie dramedy “Swingers.”
The film, starring future “Elf” and “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau and future wedding crasher Vince Vaughn, featured the band playing live during a nightclub scene, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s quasi-ironic Daddy-O shtick and irresistible rhythmic vibes helped pave the way for a brief swing revival that featured other acts such as Royal Crown Revue and the unfortunately-monikered Cherry Poppin’ Daddies.
It’s been 30 years since “Swingers,” and even longer since Big Bad Voodoo Daddy started their residency at Los Angeles watering hole The Derby, but BBVD has remained largely active ever since, playing an average of 150 shows a year and selling more than 2 million albums.
They’ll bring their stylish, groovy big-band-but-cool sound to the Reilly Arts Center’s AdventHealth Mainstage this Sunday, May 17. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online here and run from $30-$64.