When you think Sasquatch, or Bigfoot, you typically think the 1987 film Harry and the Hendersons with John Lithgow, not Faith No More. However, that is all about to change. FNM’s keyboardist/composer Roddy Bottum, who also plays in the group Imperial Teen, scores music for television and film, and likes to “make weirdo music on the side” discussed the play with Noisey, which he likens to other “monsters” such as King Kong or Frankenstein.
“It’s not a traditional opera – it’s more like weird little operettas,” Bottom explained recently. “I grew up in Los Angeles, but I moved to New York specifically to get into opera, and I had this preposterous idea for a Sasquatch love story…. It’s just gonna be three scenes from the opera, but then I’m gonna elaborate on it and build it into a bigger production.”
The story is about a small town family’s ‘Bigfoot Tours’ and the fallout when their daughter runs away with the real Sasquatch. Part folklore, part love story, the opera follows the demise of the family and a taboo love affair that blossoms in its aftermath.
“You know, my favorite characters are the kind of gentle giants like Frankenstein or the Elephant Man — a misunderstood monster who it turns out is very sensitive and has a high intellect. That always gets me. It felt like Sasquatch could satisfy that really well. I’m moved by the big thug who has a heart of gold.”
Sasquatch: The Opera will be featured at Brooklyn venue Roulette on April 2nd, as part of Experiments in Opera‘s “Story Binge” features seven one-act shorts from seven different composers over the course of two days.
Faith No More’s, Sol Invictus, the band’s first album in 18 years, is set for a May 19th release. The band will hit the road on a major North American tour next month.
[via Noisey]