Discovering The Appeal Of Quirk Rock

The Chupacabra Cabaret is a local band on the Long Island music scene that highlights surrealism and absurdity. The imagery is comical and utterly bizarre, and the music is an intriguing, multifaceted display of energy and sound. “It’s experimental rock with funk, jazz and vaudevillian elements,” the bass player conveyed. “All instruments are equally present.”

The first track off their album, “Guess I’ll be Okay,” has a palpable groove. According to the song description on the Chupacabra Facebook page, “Guess I’ll be okay,” was inspired by a lengthy stroll in a seedy neighborhood. “This mini-morality play entertains the idea that not every good fortune is a good fortune, and not every dog has his day.”

And if you’re crying in the night
You better give the dog a bone
And if you’re walking in the light
You better leave that dog alone
Cause it’s a misbegotten gain
Like a wallet in the street
But I’ll keep it just the same
Cause everybody’s gotta eat
— Guess I’ll Be Okay

The quintessentially upbeat and memorable “Quiver And Throb,” grabs you immediately with thoughts of corn and cob and cherries and someone who claims to be ‘not Bob.’

You know I need it - you want it
We’ll put a cherry on it
Say “Nevermore” just like the raven
Take our secret to the grave’n
If you wanna do it one more time
I think that it will make you smile.
— Quiver And Throb

Their third single, “Circumstantial,” is reminiscent of 1930’s ‘big band;’ the lyrical narrative brings us on a strange quest through the plight of the protagonist, Pollyanna.

Pollyann, gonna be alright
Mr. Randall said that he might be out
By tomorrow night
You know God don’t ever give you
Nothing that you can’t handle
And what they found in the trunk -
Well, that’s circumstantial
—Circumstantial

When life gets hard, The Chupacabra Cabaret, who experiment with their own brand of quirk, never fails to make me smile (‘Quiver’ got it right). And for what it’s a worth, they call us back to what life can be — enjoyable.