Still got that swing

About six years ago, neo-swing music was all the rage. Thanks to the popularity of the 1996 indie film Swingers and big band-influenced groups such as Squirrel Nut Zippers, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies and Royal Crown Revue, young people across the nation were signing up for dance classes and dressing in zoot suits, spats and other retro fashions. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was one of the top bands riding the neo-swing wave. Not only did the group appear in the 1996 movie which sparked national interest in the neo-swing scene, but they went on to release two hit albums: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Watchu’ Want for Christmas. They eventually landed a major-label contract with Capitol Records and released another self-titled album in 1998 and This Beautiful Life in 1999. While the swing craze has waned in the past few years, the L.A.-based septet continues to perform its revved-up brand of big band music. Their latest album, Save My Soul, described as a “love letter to the music of New Orleans,” was released this past summer on Big Bad/Vanguard Records. The band performs 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 and Dec. 30 at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe in Stateline. Tickets are $40. Call (800) 427-7247 or visit www.harrahs.com.—Kelley Lang