Photo taken from Abominable Killer Snowmen's Myspace Page. (Left - Right: Jake Dullen, Zak Piontkowski, Jason Roman, Ricky Coates, Alec Dube, Eric Equils, Eric Richardson, Seamus McDonell, Joe Goehle.)

For the first few months of the bands existence, they practiced in the Niagara Wheatfield’s jazz band’s practice room. At this point, the acronym for the bands name had been decided: AKS. It is ska spelled backwards, but still it had no meaning. The name Abominable Killer Snowmen was chosen shortly before their first performance, which was on the stage of the Niagara Wheatfield auditorium in May of 2006. They played covers of Catch 22’s Dear Sergio, The Casualties’ Unknown Soldier and an original instrumental piece entitled 10 Measures of Mexican Food. They took first place. The prize came with an award of $50.

After some changes to the band's lineup in mid 2007, Alec Dube assumed the role of singer while stilling playing drums. The band soon branched out and started performing at local bars and venues in the Tonawandas, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Williamsville and more.

In mid to late 2007 two additions were made to the band, Joe Goehle, a trombone player from Lockport, New York, and fellow Niagara Wheatfield student, Eric Equils on second guitar. Abominable Killer Snowmen continued to play shows all over the Northern part of Western New York and in Buffalo. They played with many popular ska and punk bands like The Pinstripes, Westbound Train, and The Fad.

In early 2008 AKS found themselves in Buffalo’s Soundscape Studio where they recorded their first EP. It was entitled Walk the Walk and included songs written as a collaborative effort by all band members and with lyrics to Walk the Walk, I Don’t Tonto, and In Memory Of, written by Alec Dube, Behind the Eight Ball by Ricky Coates and Down Again, written by Eric Equils.

The songs on the Walk the Walk EP continued to be major show points for the next few months and they began to gain a strong and loyal following. They were frequenting clubs in Downtown Buffalo such as Michaelina’s Bistro, Club Diablo and Mohawk Place. They also frequently played at Club Infinity in Williamsville, and The Sikora Post in North Tonawanda.

After the release of Walk the Walk, Abominable Killer Snowmen found themselves with offers to play with some important national bands including The Toasters, Mustard Plug and Catch 22. In an article from Artvoice (mentioned below) the band described Catch 22 as “a band that’s a giant influence on us” and they listed it as one of their best shows ever.

The Catch 22 show in August of 2008 would be the last official show with AKS for Jake Dullen and Joe Goehle, since they were leaving to attend college in Ohio and Potsdam respectively.

Shortly after the departure of Goehle and Dullen from the band another Niagara Wheatfield student was added on trombone, Kyle Zastrow. Also at this time, Alec Dube decided to make the switch to tenor sax player while still holding the role of singer. Drummer Zak Piontkowski was recruited to fill the empty drum seat.

In 2008 AKS was featured in an article about Artvoice’s BOOM! competition. (Battle of Original Music). In an interview for the article, the band agreed that the best shows they played are “usually the ones we do at our high school battle of the bands.” They describe the intense chanting and audience support which is what “makes you want to plat an insane show.”

Winning several more “Battle of the Bands” competitions. One at Niagara University in Niagara Falls resulted with Abominable Killer Snowmen being awarded more studio time. This time it was in GC Audio in Cheektowaga. This recording session produced the singles Heroes and Fools, Shape Up, and Whatever Happened To.

In 2009, after listening to the Walk the Walk EP, bassist for the Goo Goo Dolls, Robby Takac added AKS to his Music is Art Festival in September of that year. They competed in a Battle of the Bands Competition sponsored by Music is Art at HSBC arena in Downtown Buffalo. In addition to winning a spot on the main stage at the next Music is Art Festival at the Albright Knox Art Gallery, they also won recording time with Takac for his label, Good Caramel Records.

During this time Abominable Killer Snowmen were adding to their already impressive list of concert achievements. They went on to play with Rise Against and Brand New at the University at Buffalo Springfest. This was the largest crowd that AKS had ever played for.

“2010 marked the last year for AKS.” Said guitarist Eric Richardson. “With all if the members pursuing higher education we found ourselves playing very few shows and a lack of new music left a feeling of staleness.” All members came to a common agreement that Abominable Killer Snowmen would have to come to an end. Ricky Coates, Alec Dube, and Seamus McDonell all went to SUNY Fredonia. Kyle Zastrow also attended Fredonia after completing basic training for the US Air Force. Eric Equils went to SUNY Potsdam along with Joe Goehle, Jason Roman went to Buffalo State College. Eric Richardson went to Luthier school in in a small town called Snellville outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

The majority of the members of AKS are still playing music with different bands, including Lighting Killed My Parents, Searching for Dinosuars, Where She Wept, Rustworm and the Village Firewall Project. Many of them continue to pursue careers in music business, music education and music performance and some in other non music fields from their respective colleges.

Although officially broken up as a band, you can still see them playing out in Fredonia or Potsdam. If you’re lucky.

Photo taken from Abominable Killer Snowmen's Myspace Page. (Left to Right: Jason Roman, Zak Piontkowski, Ricky Coates, Eric Equils, Alec Dube, Eric Richardson, Seamus McDonell, Kyle Zastrow.)