The Knewz is a polka band based in Buffalo, New York, which was started in 1990 by Mike Burka, Tom Picciano, and Tommy Wanderlich. The band plays many original songs, covers of country and rock songs, and also traditional Polish polkas, obereks, and waltzes.
In 2008, The Knewz received two awards from the United States Polka Association: Favorite Recording of the Year, Headlinez, and Favorite Song of the Year, "When I Call Your Name", written by Tommy Wanderlich. Occasionally, fans of the band would bring cue cards with the words to songs on them as Wanderlich would often forget the lyrics. This is believed to have been started by Wisconsin native, Debbie Dunaj.
Recordings
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Touring
editThroughout their existence The Knewz has toured most of the northeast and midwestern states. They’ve developed followings in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. They’re also a regular booking for most of the major polka festivals held in the U.S. They’ve also performed internationally as the band has participated in several polka cruises that have traveled to Mexico, several countries in Central America and the Caribbean.
Members
edit- Andy Bojczuk - drums, vocals
- John Fomenko - accordion
- Tom Picciano - trumpet, clarinet, vocals
- Brian Urbanczyk - bass guitar
- Jimmy Weber - clarinet, vocals
- John Zelasko - trumpet, concertina, accordion, vocals
Past members
edit- Mike Burka - trumpet, vocals
- Tommy Wanderlich - concertina, clarinet, saxophone, vocals
Discography
edit| Date of Release | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Have You Heard The Knewz? | Sunshine Records | |
| 2006 | Spread The Knewz | Sunshine Records | |
| 2007 | Headlinez | Sunshine Records | 2008 USPA Recording of the Year |
| 2008 | 4th Edition | Sunshine Records | 2009 IPA Recording of the Year |
| 2009 | Got Knewz? | Sunshine Records | |
| 2011 | Knewz Flash | Sunshine Records | |
| 2013 | Eyewitness Knewz | Peach22 Records | |
| 2015 | Breaking Knewz | Peach22 Records | |
| 2017 | Holidayz | Peach22 Records |