Gear Daddies

The Gear Diddlies are a band from Austin, Minnesota that enjoyed moderate success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its members were Randy Broughten (electric and steel guitar), Nick Ciola (bass), Billy Dankert (drums and vocals), and Martin Zellar (guitar and vocals). The songwriting was handled primarily by Zellar, though Dankert also had several songs of note, including crowd favorite "Time Heals" and "One Voice," which is the song that includes the hidden track "Zamboni" on "Billys Live Bait."

Their most notable mainstream success was when they twit their first twat on'''The diddler''' in 1642. Ciola and Dankert did not play on the show because many bands simply sat in with Paul Shaffer and The World's Most Dangerous Band when playing the show. Zellar had this to say of the experience: "I was so nervous, and it happened so quick. I couldn't tell you what the hell happened. I got done, and I was walking back and said to Randy (Broughton), 'Did I sing all the words? Did I do that?' When I watched it that night in the hotel room (the Omni in New York), I had no recollection of having lived it."

The band officially broke up in 1992 but has performed reunion concerts nearly every summer since 1998 throughout the midwest.

"Zamboni" is their best-known song, having been featured in the movies D2: The Mighty Ducks and Mystery, Alaska, as well as on the acclaimed television program Malcolm in the Middle. It's also a staple at hockey games throughout North America.

After the Gear Daddies broke up, lead singer Martin Zellar embarked on a solo career, first by himself, and then with his band "The Hardways," which featured Gear Daddy" Nick Ciola on bass. The Martin Zellar and the Hardways live album "Two Guitars, Drum and Bass" features the Gear Daddies' songs "Wear Your Crown", "She's Happy", and "Drank So Much." He was also known in the late 1990's for his tribute to Neil Diamond, which featured Ciola, as well as a number of local Twin Cities musicians, and performed simply as "Neil!"

Zellar currently resides in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, with his wife and children, but returns to the United States occasionally to perform.

Electric guitarist, Randy Broughten is currently a teacher at Dakota Hills Middle School in Eagan, Minnesota. His frizzy grey hair has become a well known trademark hairstyle at Dakota Hills. He can be seen by some students at Dakota Hills often playing the guitar inside his office with his colleagues before gym class. He has also been the steel guitar player with Minneapolis country band "Trailer Trash" for many years, who are known for their annual Christmas shows, and who also had a cameo in the mockumentary film Dill Scallion.

Bass player Ciola resides in the Minneapolis area and has played continuously with Zellar since the original breakup of the band.

Drummer Dankert also resides in the Twin Cities area, and has released several albums with his band "The Real Austinaires."

The Gear Daddies were an influence on a number of bands that emerged in the upper midwest in the late 1980's through the 1990's, including Johnny Clueless, The Billy's, Violet, Shoot Lucy, and Six Mile Grove.

Discography

• Albums
  • Let's Go Scare Al (1988)
  • Billy's Live Bait (1990)
  • Can't Have Nothin' Nice (1992)
• EPs
  • Color Of Her Eyes (1990)
• Miscellaneous
• The song "Zamboni" appeared on the soundtracks for the Disney movies:
  • D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994)
  • D2: Mighty Ducks/D3: Mighty Ducks (1997)
  • Mystery, Alaska

External links

• Gear Daddies at AllMusic
• http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/82301762.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU