Looking Back on “Gen X Dad Rock with Calibunga!”

By Thomas Lepper

Fresh on the Fredericton scene, Calibunga was a new upcoming band that formed that year. Three of the band’s members were enrolled at UNB: Cal (bass and backup vocals), Margaret (synths and lead vocals), and Miguel (drums). The fourth member, Davi (lead guitar), was still in high school.

The band also had a former lead singer, Abby, who united Cal and Margaret, forming Clone Theory, their previous band, when they were in grade 9.  

Calibunga made their official debut on June 2nd, 2023, when they won the battle of the bands at Fredericton High School (FHS). 

“We had a mosh pit during battle of the bands,” stated Margaret when asked about shows they had played, and Miguel spoke afterwards. 

Cal followed up, saying:

“I think that was our best performance… we had so much audience participation, there were girls that I hadn’t met in my life. Literally screaming my name and asking for a high five.”

However, according to the band, their most memorable performance was the Harvest Music Festival that year.

“People knew we were gonna be there. They wanted to see us, so many of our friends were there,” said Cal. 

Margaret went on to further say:

“This was one of the first times I was singing, and I was trying to be comfortable being the center of attention, and it was so scary.” 

Calibunga also did shows for all-ages audiences. When the band performed their PG sets, Margaret said she censored the swear words in their songs. For example, during “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus, Margaret said she made tactful substitutions: 

“[Instead of] her boyfriend’s a dick and he brings a gun to school, I just said her boyfriend’s a prick and he brings his nerf to school.”

Excitingly, Calibunga had been working on their debut album. Cal went in depth, stating:

“The reason why it has taken us so long is we just have so many ideas.” 

In order to write their album, the band had gone on hiatus. 

“We’re going to try and write an album… we can’t like risk — you know — spending all our time writing this new stuff. So we’ve been having a little break,” said Cal. 

Margaret added:

“We want to try and learn something ourselves.”

Calibunga prided themselves on their uniqueness. Even though they had only done covers so far, seeing them perform, you could truly feel that they were like no other band. When asked if they could share insights on how they shaped their sound, Cal said simply:

“No one knows what music we’re going to do… the genres are all over the place, the way we act on stage is all over the place, the way we dress is all over the place.”

When asked how they would describe their band, the members said “alt rock.” Cal elaborated, saying: 

“We like to… do every genre.”

Margaret felt that Calibunga’s music could be described as “devoured dad music” or “gen x dad rock.”

At the time, Calibunga’s music was only available on Instagram. Although Cal attempted to reassure audiences by noting that, 

“most of our shows are usually free,” meaning Calibunga was relatively easy to access. 

At the end of their interview, Calibunga announced that they were actively looking for a lead singer.

Although Calibunga has since dissolved, their brief but spirited presence left an indelible mark on Fredericton’s local music scene.

For those who witnessed their performances or moshed at their shows, the band’s legacy will echo long after the final chord faded.