Story perspectives

Menzingers' Medieval Name Roots Revealed by Longtime Fan

7/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

The band’s name derives from the German word “Minnesänger,” a medieval poet-musician or troubadour.
The Menzingers formed in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 2006.
Founding members Greg Barnett, Tom May, Eric Keen, and Joe Godino filled vocals, guitar, bass, and drums respectively.
A longtime fan who had followed the group for over a decade learned the name’s meaning only after researching it, linking the band’s modern storytelling style to its medieval-inspired moniker.

History

Historical Context

German lyric poetry began around 1150 with early Minnesänger like Der von Kürenberg, and by 1170 adopted Provençal forms. The Classical Minnesang era, peaking around 1190, produced Walther von der Vogelweide, still regarded the greatest. Neidhart’s roughly 1,500 surviving strophes show the tradition’s lasting popularity, a legacy the Menzingers invoke in their 2006-formed Scranton band.

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Story summary

The band’s name derives from the German word “Minnesänger,” a medieval poet-musician or troubadour.
The Menzingers formed in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 2006.
Founding members Greg Barnett, Tom May, Eric Keen, and Joe Godino filled vocals, guitar, bass, and drums respectively.
A longtime fan who had followed the group for over a decade learned the name’s meaning only after researching it, linking the band’s modern storytelling style to its medieval-inspired moniker.

1 / 2