h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I had the pleasure of watching a free Squonk opera performance in Denver, Colorado at an arts festival. Their act is an interesting combination of experimental music and performance theatre.

One song, for instance, involves an operatic singer coming out in Valkyrie headgear on an elaborate bicycle shaped like a rearing metal horse. Another features the non-playing members of the band donning gigantic hand costumes and wriggling around with one another onstage. Eerie. Yet another involves a projected background and several sets of prosthetic metal arms clanked together in a rhythmic ant-like dance.

Generally speaking, the group has a very broad sense of humour. The huge majority of the act can be seen and understood by children and adults from most cultures. It's very visual and direct.

The band members vary, but there are generally the following:

-singer
-bass (guitar and/or violin)
-keyboard/piano
-electric woodwind (variable)
-electric/native drums

The normal price of admission is a bit high, I'm afraid. The albums can be purchased on the group's site, but they can't be fully appreciated unless you've also seen the associated live show.

is it true that they actually perform?! how strange, i thought they hid from prople, to avoid being seen. anyway, you say you saw this performance at denver...do you know of any venues in the uk to which they might venture? i'd love to see such a performance for my self.....

Well, you never know. They were in Belgium in April.

You can see their schedule here:
http://www.squonkopera.com/agenda/index.html#now

Do they have anything to do with Squonks, that you can tell, besides the name?

I'm not sure, though their music often has a wistful tone and they reference mythology a lot. I suspect their first album might offer some insight, but it wasn't in print the last time I checked.