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
Touring
Throughout 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 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 Mike Burka - trumpet, vocals Tommy Wanderlich - concertina, clarinet, saxophone, vocals
Discography 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 Year2009Got Knewz?Sunshine Records2011Knewz FlashSunshine Records 2013Eyewitness KnewzPeach22 Records2015Breaking KnewzPeach22 Records2017HolidayzPeach22 Records
External links The Knewz