La Banda Chuska, the renowned psychedelic surf rock and cumbia quintet of Brooklyn, have shared their biting new single “Mansplayner,” written by keyboardist and producer Adele Fournet (of Tipa Tipo).
This hard-hitting surf punk track is a sardonic commentary on the preponderance of male know-it-alls, especially within the realms of music and art. The verse opens with a male colleague expounding on his superior taste in art and his many degrees and titles, using his interlocutor as a narcissistic mirror. [“Él es un cínico, yo soy su público. Para él no existo, solo soy el pretexto.”] Then the chorus delivers a thumping psychoanalytic revenge – “El que habla más tiene más que esconder” [He who talks the most has the most to hide]. Distorted accordion and Farfisa organ join forces with the aggressive guitars to create the overall effect of La Luz in their angriest moments.
“Mansplayner” comes off La Banda Chuska’s first full-length record, Basic Bichos, out May 30th. A technicolor explosion of harmonized accordion, guitar and keyboard riffs, outlandish stage looks, and audience participation, La Banda Chuska has been attracting crowds since its inception in 2019, performing at renowned venues including the Brooklyn Museum, Lincoln Center and The Kennedy Center.
La Banda Chuska, born of the experimentalism and chaos of New York City, defy conventional genre boundaries with their off-kilter fusion of cumbia and surf rock. Their sound is an inviting mélange in which the infectious rhythms of Peruvian psychedelic cumbia collide with reverb-drenched surf guitars and post-punk energy. With a relentless drive and an irreverent spirit, La Banda Chuska crafts a vibrant sonic landscape that is as exhilarating as it is unpredictable. Their eclectic mix of party-ready beats and performance art charm – including a surreal synth baby that tours with the band – has earned them comparisons to a tropical version of the B-52s.
