The Gomers
American comedy rock band known for live karaoke and Gomer Day.
The Gomers, a band from Madison, Wisconsin, blend comedy rock, experimental music, and progressive rock. They borrowed their name from the character Gomer Pyle. Both former Madison mayors Dave Cieslewicz and Sue Bauman officially declared February 1 as "Gomer Day" in the city.
The group began with weekly shows at Madison’s short-lived Club De Wash, located in the Hotel Washington. They now perform their live band karaoke show, "Gomeroke," eight or more times each month at the High Noon Saloon. In April 2006, *Maximum Ink* highlighted the band’s longevity and the mayoral proclamation. That same year, *Madison Magazine* featured the Gomers’ "Gomeroke" in a film segment on local karaoke. Wisconsin Public Radio aired an episode about "Rockstar Gomeroke" in 2009. The band went on hiatus in 2016. They also spawned the parody group The Zombeatles.
The Gomers have earned several Madison Area Music Awards: Unique Artist (2006), Unique Song (2006), Best Cover Band (2005 and 2007), and Unique Album and Unique Artist (2008). The *Isthmus* reader poll named them "Madison’s Favorite Cover Band" and "Madison’s Favorite Dance Band" every year from 2000 to 2009.
Members include Dave Adler, Biff Blumfumgagnge, Geoff Brady, Stephen G. Burke, Mark Hervey, Gordon Ranney, Gregg Rullman, and Andy Wallman.
Their discography includes the single "Joey Saturn & Bob Uranus - Like the Planet" (1992) and albums such as *Comin’ Atchya* (1988), *Basement Tape* (1991), *Sofa King Good* (1999), *Live Gome Boot* (2001), *Live at The Witz End* (2002), *Salt & Sugar* (2003), *Basement Tape CD* (2005), *Mike Zirkel The Album CD* (2008, with Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp), and *Meat The Zombeatles* (2009).
- Field
- Comedy rock, experimental music, progressive rock
- Nationality
- American
- Known for
- Live band karaoke show 'Gomeroke'; spawning the parody band The Zombeatles; multiple Madison Area Music Awards
- Origin
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Active years
- 1988–2016 (hiatus)
Lore & Background
The Gomers got their start playing weekly at Madison's popular but ill-fated Club De Wash, formerly located in the Hotel Washington. They currently play eight times or more monthly with their live band karaoke show, 'Gomeroke', at the High Noon Saloon. In April 2006, Maximum Ink noted the 'longevity, durability, or diversity' of the band, and the mayoral Gomer Day Proclamation. Madison Magazine did a film feature in 2006 of karaoke in Madison, and documented the Gomers' 'Gomeroke' live karaoke show. Wisconsin Public Radio did an episode on the phenomenon of 'Rockstar Gomeroke' in 2009. The band went on hiatus in 2016. The group also spawned the parody band The Zombeatles.
Reader's Guide
The Gomers are significant for their long-running live band karaoke show, Gomeroke, which became a Madison institution and was documented by local media and Wisconsin Public Radio. Their recognition by two Madison mayors with an official Gomer Day underscores their cultural impact in the city. The band won multiple Madison Area Music Awards, including Unique Artist, Unique Song, Best Cover Band, and Unique Album. The Isthmus reader poll awarded them 'Madison's Favorite Cover Band' and 'Madison's Favorite Dance Band' from 2000 to 2009. They also performed with Les Paul at his Wisconsin Foundation for School Music Lifetime Achievement Award dinner in 2004. Their legacy includes spawning the parody band The Zombeatles, and their members have been involved in other notable acts such as Willy Porter, Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine, Reptile Palace Orchestra, and the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
Did You Know?
- Former Madison mayors Dave Cieslewicz and Sue Bauman both proclaimed February 1 as 'Gomer Day' in Madison.
- The group spawned the parody band The Zombeatles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Gomers?
The Gomers were an American comedy rock, experimental, and progressive rock band out of Madison, Wisconsin, active from 1988 until their 2016 hiatus. They took their name from the classic television character Gomer Pyle.
What is Gomeroke?
Gomeroke is the band's signature live band karaoke show, in which audience members sing along with the full live band. The Gomers performed it eight or more times a month at the High Noon Saloon in Madison.
What is Gomer Day and who created it?
Gomer Day is February 1, an official city proclamation in Madison honoring the band. Both former mayors Dave Cieslewicz and Sue Bauman signed the declaration, giving the group a rare civic recognition.
How did The Gomers get their start?
The group built its early following through weekly performances at Club De Wash, a short-lived venue inside Madison's Hotel Washington. Those regular shows helped establish their reputation before they moved to the High Noon Saloon.
Why are The Gomers considered important to the Madison music scene?
They collected multiple Madison Area Music Awards and were noted by Maximum Ink in 2006 for their remarkable longevity and local cultural footprint. They also spawned the parody side-project The Zombeatles, extending their comedic influence beyond their own sets.
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