Dread Zeppelin - Cash Cow

Cash Cow

In 1995 Dread Zeppelin had a new production company called Cash Cow, run by original members Gary Putman (Butt-Boy) and Greg Tortell (Tortelvis), which had produced the Fun Sessions. They released the live album Front Yard Bar*B*Que in December 1996 and the all-original album Spam Bake in November 1997. All three were produced by Robert Incorvaia. Spambake was considered Gary Putman's "original music masterpiece" and a take off of the Elvis movie sound recordings of the 1960s. Also released on Cash Cow Records was the band's first full length Christmas recording, Presents in 2002 and Chicken and Ribs in 2004, both produced by Bob Knarley, along with DVD media (Jah-La-Palooza 2004 and Live in Minne-Jah-Polis 2002) and bootlegs shows, after a clamoring for such product from their loyal and long-time fan base.

In February 2008 the band released Bar Coda, produced by longtime band member "Spice" (Cris Boerin). During the recording of Bar Coda, Carl Jah left the group. His spot in the live show was taken by Spice who plays keyboards and percussion.

Lead singer Tortelvis, flanked by his boys, finally got his shot at singing "The Star Spangled Banner" at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 27, 2005. He had been scheduled to sing the song at a Minnesota Twins game in 1992, but Roseanne Barr's notorious version, two days before his planned appearance, quashed that opportunity.

Dread Zeppelin still tours and releases new material with original members Butt-Boy and Tortelvis, and longtime members Spice, Bob Knarley, Ziggy Knarley and Charlie Haj. Putman is the only member of Dread Zeppelin to have recorded on every record and played every live show to date. In 2009 they celebrated their 20 year anniversary.