The Chicken Chokers profile picture

The Chicken Chokers

The Chicken Chokers lead the beat

About Me

The Chicken Chokers lead the beat.

Their signature sound combines a pounding 4-man rhythm string section, ever-crazed fiddling, infamous 'air-raid siren' vocals, and the hallmark Chicken Choker Big Boy Chorus. Throughout the 80's the Chokers entertained many, influenced a select few, and recorded 2 albums for Rounder Records before exploding in all musical directions.

A recent 20 year reunion revealed that the Choker Drive survived the explosion. Combining the unvarnished, primitive energy of the early years with mementos from 5 separate musical journeys, the band sounds better than ever, still inspiring amateur dancers and professional revelers to higher states of consciousness.

Our current events and gigs are available here...

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 12/30/2006
Band Website: thechickenchokers.com
Band Members: Chad Crumm - fiddle, Chip Taylor Smith - guitar, Stefan Senders - banjo, Paul Strother - bass, James Reidy - banjo uke
Influences: 78 Rpm Recordings In General ( Early Hillbilly/ Gospel/ Blues/ Unusual World Stuff), Ace Weems And The Fat Meat Boys, Al Tharp, Andy Cahan, Andy Williams, Arm & Hammer String Band, Beach Boys, Beatles ( George Martin), Beer, Blind Gary And The Foggy Vision Boys, Bob Jordan, C Tunes, Captain Beefheart, Carter Family And Son, Charlie Poole, Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck, Dave Grant, Doc Boggs, Dykes Magic City Trio, Early Galax Va, Frank Zappa, George Jones, Hank Williams, Highwoods Stringband, Holy Modal Rounders, James Leva, Jeffrey Fredericks, Jim Kweskin, Joe Fallon, Kenny Baker, Kilby Snow, Lexington Va, Louvin Brothers, Mac Rebennack, Mada Maquire, Marcia Deihl, Mark Graham, Meat, Michael Hurley, Michael J. Donoghue, Mississippi John Hurt, Mt. Airy Nc, No'count Ramblers, Norman Blake, Odel Maguire, Paul Gittelsohn, Pete Sutherland, Peter Honig, Peter Stampfel, Pine Island String Band, Plank Road Stringband, Ramones, Robert Mellin, Roscoe Holcomb, Sahib Radio, Sandy Stark, Skillet Lickers, Smithville Tn, Spider John Koerner, Square Deal Stringband, Steve Reich, Stripling Brothers, Tabacco, Talking Heads, Taraf De Haidouks, The Cats And The Fiddle, The Hiltonaires, The Rolling Stones, The Swamp Cats, The White Column Inn, Tom Schaffer, Tom Waits, Tommy Jarrell, Uncle Dave Macon, Walt Koken, Zenith Stringband
Sounds Like: Listen to samples of all tracks on Chicken Chokers '07 at CDBaby . You can also buy the cd at Funkyside or direct from thechickenchokers.com , or download tracks from iTunes or many other places.

Chicken Choker Ringtones!!!

Spider John Koerner and the Chicken Chokers at Castaway's 1/11/08


Record Label: Nope
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Woo Hoo GrassRoooots

It looks like we’ll be at Grassroots in TBurg again this year!Signed,Happy and Proud
Posted by The Chicken Chokers on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:27:00 PST

Timeline on thechickenchokers.com

I've updated our real website thechickenchokers.com to include plenty of useless information. There is a timeline in the History section that lays bare our pitiful career. This is all in preparation f...
Posted by The Chicken Chokers on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 06:04:00 PST

Now with ringtones...

Into the new world with ringtones - Ruben's Ring:  Text  "330393"   to  MYXER (69937).
Posted by The Chicken Chokers on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 05:13:00 PST

Now on iTunes

Throught the wonders of modern technology The Chicken Chokers '07 CD is now available on iTunes. Watch for ringtones...
Posted by The Chicken Chokers on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 05:22:00 PST

The Chicken Chokers and "Spider" John Koerner

The Chicken Chokers welcome our long time friend "Spider" John Koerner for a shared night of music this Thurs. 1/10/08 @ 8pm @ Castaways in Ithaca, NY..Don't miss this one!!!http://www.castawaysithaca...
Posted by The Chicken Chokers on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 06:03:00 PST

Now available...

Our CD Chicken Chokers 07 is now available at Funkyside and CD Baby.You can also still buy direct from http://thechickenchokers.com at the original price....
Posted by The Chicken Chokers on Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:40:00 PST

Old time music in Ithaca, NY

Here is a nice article in the Ithaca Times by Luke Z. Fenchel about the history of old time music around Ithaca, NY: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19023719&BRD=1 395&PAG=461&dep...
Posted by The Chicken Chokers on Sat, 17 Nov 2007 03:24:00 PST

Surprise gig at Phylla Mae

Some of the Chicken Chokers were called in at the last minute to play the Phylla Mae Fall Fest 2007 dance weekend on Saturday 10/20/07. http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/PhyllaMaeFallFest.html Our...
Posted by The Chicken Chokers on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:22:00 PST

Ryestraw Practice at Blue Heron

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKGRY9g2YDI
Posted by The Chicken Chokers on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:05:00 PST

Q.’s Photos from Felecia’s

The fabulous Q. Cassetti took a bunch of pictures at Felecia's and at Grassroots and placed them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/qcassetti/sets/72157 600981962270/...
Posted by The Chicken Chokers on Sun, 12 Aug 2007 05:52:00 PST