It was all good moods and beer bottles backstage at Lucky Bar on Oct.16, as Les Monstres Terribles wound down after their Electric Splash set.

It was just another show for the increasingly busy “soot and dust” five-piece, but they were still warm with enthusiasm after almost a year of performing their vigorously-haunting music.

What began as vocalist Quentin Mitchell’s visual experimentation with monster themes has finally evolved into what the band agrees is their most solid state yet.

It was when former Beasts and Superbeasts drummer, Ben Godfrey, joined Les Monstres in September that they gained the element they didn’t know was missing and started booking multiple shows a month.

Despite their rising popularity, a thin veil of obscurity hangs over Les Monstres because of their difficult-to-pronounce French name — and it suits them.

After referring to their style as dark and creative (and to Victoria as a haunted island where it always rains) the poetic Mitchell says he’s after “moments of beauty and pure ugliness.” 

Bass player Laura Shrum compares their music to the surrealism of Salvador Dali or Frida Kahlo.

If you haven’t yet heard Les Monstres play, imagine somber, baritone vocals that sweep from dark corners. Imagine funeral piano that quickens into dancing. Imagine being poisoned, staring your killer in the face and feeling euphoric.

Les Monstres Terribles are ironically wonderful to be around. Unity and mutual respect are palpable among the band members, who always give one another a chance to speak and who all refuse to drink the last beer of the night.

“We are all very committed to the band,” said Shrum, explaining that they “all feel like we can contribute creatively.”

She consulted her bandmates (who bring influences to the table as different as Radiohead and Tom Waits) and everyone said they feel like they’ve added to the music.

Cheerful keyboard/guitar/trumpet player Daniel Bailey, has humbly come to realize that “it wouldn’t be the same song if I wasn’t doing the same thing.”

In terms of aspirations, the band is modest.

“I don’t want to be famous,” said Shrum, who added she just wants to do something “interesting.” Guitarist Scott Wood sums it up in the following way.

“Really, we’re just like any other band. I just hope some people get it,” he said.

Experience the entrancing Monstres Terribles next on Nov. 5 with the Virgin Space Cadets and Mike Edel at the Victoria Event Center.

And don’t worry about mispronouncing their name — it turns out Les Monstres don’t speak much French themselves.