Jacuzzi Boys Release New Music Video Amid Frontman’s Cancer Battle

“Art is an affirmation of life, a rebuttal of death,” Madeleine L’Engle once wrote — and the latest video from Miami garage rock trio Jacuzzi Boys, released only a few weeks after a seizure and fall led to frontman Gabriel Alcala’s brain tumor diagnosis, is providing convincing (not to mention extraordinarily catchy!) affirmation of the A Wrinkle in Time author’s maxim. 

As I’m sure most of you know by now, this past month has been quite challenging to say the least,” the band writes in an Instagram post announcing the video, “but we’re happy to report Gabriel is doing better and better every day and we’re all excited to share…the appropriately titled ‘Feelin’ Fine.’” 

The Dustin Aksland-helmed clip, taken from the forthcoming Too Cold to Tango album (preorder here), captures what the much-beloved band describes as “a very cool snapshot of our time spent recording [at] Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis earlier this year — a MAGICAL time.” It also features on-location shots from another Memphis location, Alex’s Tavern, as well as appearances by Bill Skibbe, Daniel Milewski, Jerry Phillips, Scott Bomar, Matt Ross-Spang, Sophie Baldwin, Chloe Okeon Lavendar, Wild Bill’s, and Alex’s Rocky Kasaftes. 

The Jacuzzi Boys also shout out members of the extended production crew, including editor Tyler Smolinski, colorist Mikey Pehanich, and title creator Scott Barry. “Pour yourself a tall glass of holy water, relax and enjoy!” the band writes.

A November 14 post on the GoFundMe set up to help support Alcala and his family during treatment of the tumor — which to date has raised over $134,000 — provided a detailed update: “We met with the neuro-oncology team this week and finally have a clear understanding of Gabriel’s diagnosis and next steps. The final pathology confirmed that the tumor is cancerous, a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, which is not curable but very treatable and manageable long-term. The surgery removed nearly all of it, and his doctors are truly encouraged by how well he’s recovering,” the update written by Alcalás wife read. “Gabriel has been a rock, positive, calm, and bringing light to every day. He’s truly excited to begin this new chapter of life.”