Founded in early 2003, Roadside Zoo quickly gained local popularity as they stormed through campus bars and parties around the University of Michigan. Within a few months of their formation, they were showcased on the nationally syndicated Mitch Albom Radio Show and began opening for major regional acts. Since then, they have been building momentum as they constantly tour the Midwest, gaining numerous fans everywhere they go. Yet, Roadside Zoo continues to call Ann Arbor and the nationally recognized music venue, The Blind Pig, home.
Roadside Zoo is best described as funk-rock, though their music also encompasses elements from jam music, coupled with a pop sensibility. Their music is tight, complex, danceable, and always accessible as their energetic concerts provide a sound that catches the ear of all music-enthusiasts and critics alike.
Within recent months they have opened for many popular national acts such as MOFRO, The Big Wu, and Ekoostik Hookah. In the Summer of 2005, they were selected out of hundreds of contestants as a winner in the 10,000 Lakes Festival's “Cosmic Break Contest” where they shared the festival stage with Trey Anastasio of Phish, Widespread Panic, The Black Crowes, Les Claypool, G. Love & Special Sauce, and many other artists. Roadside Zoo's continuing success found them featured in the Sept./Oct. issue of Relix Magazine as one artist "you need to know about."
Roadside Zoo continues to spread out, and is doing so with the aid of their first full-length album "Caleb Coolville." Armed with twelve amazing songs, this hour-long disc is already catching impressive reviews. Roger LeLievre of the Ann Arbor News boasts that, "[Roadside Zoo is] every bit as concerned with laying down an irresistible funk-rock dance groove as they are making solid, original music that engages the brain as well as the booty."
