Busekrus’ Creative Music Soars From Kailua To Outer Space

Kailua band Busekrus releases its latest CD this week, featuring a unique cover designed by Hannah Busekrus, a yarn artist in the family who had created three previous covers for the busy group. Image from Marcus Busekrus.

The Kailua-based band Busekrus will release its fourth album this week, and have they got a yarn to tell, literally.

A band of the poppunk/rock genre, Busekrus brings its original music to an average of 50 island gigs a year. Since starting in 2006, it has won several awards for its “smart lyrics, catchy hooks, creative tunes and palpable energy,” according to one reviewer.

“The new album is the climax of our journey,” said Marcus Busekrus (lead vocals and guitar) of Boombox Starship. “We spent almost two years in the studio writing, producing and recording 11 new, original songs – and the art is phenomenal.”

He’s referring to his sister-in-law Hannah Busekrus (spouse of original band member LJ Busekrus), an artist noted for her amazing yarn creations. Some fans may have seen her knitted mermaids, “Daughters of Triton,” wrapping the columns of Honolulu Museum of Art School during February’s PowWow! or her Monster Meters yarn bombs on Honolulu parking meters.

Hannah has created covers for all four Busekrus albums, but this one was the most challenging, Marcus said, because of the theme of spaceships, aliens and stars. It required more than 1,000 hours of hand-knitting, followed by a diorama arrangement and meticulous photographs. The result? “Boy, did she deliver!” he declared.

With bandmates Mike Jones, Demitri Marmash and Mike Schmidt, they host an album release party from 8:30 p.m. Friday at Hawaiian Brian’s Billiards on Kapiolani Boulevard. Opening bands are Pimpbot, Mano Kane and Friendly Fyre. Cover is $5 for 21 and older.

For more about the band, visit facebook.com/busekrus.