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Fairfield Musician Embraces Roots In Hanukkah Band

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Holidays, religious or not, are filled with traditions. Many would argue that Christmas isn’t complete without its classic soundtrack and, since 2005, one Fairfield artist has quietly been adding to a historically short list of Hanukkah music.

Dave Schneider of The Leevees, stands in front of a portion of his vinyl record collection that is compiled of more than 9,000 albums.

Dave Schneider of The Leevees, stands in front of a portion of his vinyl record collection that is compiled of more than 9,000 albums.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio

Dave Schneider is a Trumbull native, now residing in Fairfield, who started a joke band called The Leevees in 2005 with the help of some musician friends.

Their only release is an 11-track album titled “Hanukkah Rocks.” Fans of Adam Sandler's trio of Hanukkah songs should not expect the same from the Leevees. Although Schneider admits that he and his band mates own the “joke band” demeanor, the goal never was to style their songs after Sandler, whose songs are just funny lists of famous Jewish entertainers.

“Our songs are about being Jewish,” Schneider said. “They’re about family, friends and food.”

Schneider told Daily Voice that the idea for the album and band came from when he was playing in another joke band named The Zambonis, which only plays songs about hockey.

“We were on tour with Guster, and we were driving through Peoria, Ill.,” Schneider said. It was in the back of the tour bus that Schneider and Adam Gardner, a guitarist and vocalist for Guster, began to jam about their common faith.

“We wrote three songs in an hour,” Schneider said.

Today, "Hanukkah Rocks" is considered “the best holiday album of the decade without question” by National Public Radio personality Bob Boilen. Schneider said the success of the album has him and his band touring for about a week around the holiday season, something that doesn’t put a strain on his home life.

“It doesn’t when you have a great wife,” Schneider said.

The Leevees will be playing some big venues this month, including the Brooklyn Bowl on Dec. 21. However, for those who want a taste of "Hanukkah Rocks" without the cost of travel and admission, The Leevees will be playing Congregation B'nai Israel on Park Avenue in Bridgeport on Dec. 20 free of charge.

“No matter where you’re playing,” Schneider said, “If someone knows your music, the feeling is always the same.”

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