Does fast-paced punk rock influenced by jazz, ska and reggae make you want to dance (or “skank”)? Does experimental heavy metal jazz encourage quality jamming out? If you vigorously nodded your heads “yes” to the above questions and are going to this year’s Voodoo Fest, then you must check out two of New Orleans’ most popular local bands: Fatter than Albert and Tchoupchupacabra, who will both perform Oct. 26.
This will be Fatter than Albert’s second year performing at Voodoo Fest. Of their performance last year, bass player and music industries studies senior Greg Rodrigue said it was “an experience.” He said the band was pleasantly surprised at the turnout of over 300 people.
The tent they played in was completely full and fans were forced to stand outside to hear the music.
This year, the band isn’t as anxious as before because they know what to expect and feel that more people are anticipating their show this time around.
Fatter than Albert has been playing together for a little over three-and-a-half years and has released one EP and a full-length album, “Erin’s Runaway Imagination,” which came out in 2006.
The band has been on three national tours so far, and they’ve even ventured into Canada. They frequently play venues in New Orleans such as the Big Top, the High Ground and the Green Space. The band also does house parties and yearly concerts at the House of Blues.
Rodrigue said that being a part of the New Orleans music scene is a lot “like being a part of a family and something bigger than myself. I feel connected to a lot of the people that come to our shows.”
Fatter Than Albert is now focusing on recording another album, putting together a summer tour and acquiring a van.
On the other hand, Tchoupchupacabra – whose band name is derived from the goat-blood-sucking monster of Mexican folklore – has been around for about a year and half.
Guitar player Richard Giraldi, A’07, said, “Think Mars Volta meets Galactic meets Zeppelin meets Miles Davis Quintet meets Tower of Power, or something along those lines.”
The band is concentrating on building a following in New Orleans. They have played just about every rock venue in New Orleans, including the Dragon’s Den, the HiHo Lounge and Tipitina’s.
Giraldi said the band is very excited to play its first performance at Voodoo Fest and that the members are not nervous because they know their “tunes” and how to play them.
Tchoupchupacabra will be releasing an EP soon, and Giraldi said he hopes to have it available for sale at Voodoo Fest or shortly after. It will feature four songs, two of which are new.
Melodie George can be reached at
