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Schmekel

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Schmekel
OriginBrooklyn, New York, United States
GenresFolk punk, queercore
Years active2010–2014
LabelsSchmekel Music; Riot Grrrl, Ink
MembersLucian Kahn (guitar/vocals)
Ricky Riot (keyboard/vocals)
Nogga Schwartz (bass guitar)
Simcha Halpert-Hanson (drums)
Websitewww.transjews.com

Schmekel was an all-transgender, Jewish folk punk band from Brooklyn, NY, known for their humor.[1] They have been compared to Pansy Division, Tribe 8,[2] Frank Zappa, Mel Brooks and Tom Lehrer. Eddy Portnoy of The Forward cited Schmekel as an example of the cultural movement "Queer Yiddishkeit."[3]

Following the group's disbandment, member Itai Gal aka Ricky Riot formed a new project called Itai and the Ophanim, which released a debut album, Arise, in 2019.

In literature

In the final Tales of the City novel, the character Jake reports his love interest, Amos, flirting with the lead singer of Schmekel.[4]

Discography

  • The Whale That Ate Jonah (Schmekel Music) -- October 2013
  • Queers On Rye (Riot Grrrl, Ink) -- December 2011

Notes

  1. ^ Hugh Ryan (25 November 2011). "Schmekel, a Band Born as a Laugh". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  2. ^ "Reasons to Have Pride in 2012". The Advocate". 15 May 2012.
  3. ^ Eddy Portnoy (19 October 2011). "Transgender Jews May Be Nothing New". The Jewish Daily Forward.
  4. ^ Maupin, Armistead. The Days of Anna Madrigal. New York: HarperCollins, 2014. pp. 84-85.