House of Rabbits is a self-proclaimed “vaudcore” (hardcore-vaudeville) art-rock band from Los Angeles. The music of House of Rabbits blends dark, theatrical, narrative songwriting and lyrics with a variety of musical styles ranging from raucous operatic circus punk to hushed atmospheric bossa nova cabaret. Preferring abrupt tonal changes to a catchy, contrived chorus hook, the members of HoR focus on creating challenging, interesting and impossible to categorize music that constantly defies genre while remaining accessible with their infectiously dance-worthy rhythms. In 2014, after the avant-art-metal project, FEASTofFETUS, went through a major line-up change, the remaining three members (Jess Gabriell Cron - Vocals, Mike Caffell - Drums, Ian Malcolm - Keys) found themselves collaborating with guitarist Andy Kovari and bassist Eloy Palacios on material which began to take an entirely new direction. They began experimenting with a different kind of heavy sound; trading the distorted metal guitar chugging for a signature sound more akin to a piano falling down stairs. Thus, HoR was formed.
I was fortunate to come across these guys when they were recommended to the Crossover team on PA, and as soon as I heard the album I fell in love with they are doing. That the guys are all obviously insane is not even worth debating, that they love Zappa and are taking him to extremes is also true, but after that it all gets a little complicated. The music has a highly visual element to it I am sure, and many of these songs formed part of their sold-out fringe shows, which garnished much critical praise from LA Weekly and won several nominations and awards (The Encore Producer's Award, theTVolution.com Platinum Medal/Best of Fringe). This really is something that must be heard to be understood, as while it is highly melodic, it is incredibly hard to define. The guys all know what they are doing, and interweave musical spells, but is this more a studio recording of a stage show than a pure studio album and that therefore there are bits missing that would add value to the listener? I’m just not sure, but I am sure that I find this an incredibly interesting and enjoyable piece of work that is both pushing many boundaries and somehow hitting into mainstream like Mumford & Sons at the same time. This is something out of left field that is well worth investigating further.
