The Cherry Poppin' Daddies was founded in Eugene, Ore., in 1989 by singer Steve Perry and bassist Dan Schmid. The group's music is a mix of swing and Ska, influenced by funk and punk rock, and noted for a prominent use of horns.

Their wildly successful 1997 single, "Zoot Suit Riot," on the album of the same name, showcased the band's ability to revive swing in the musical mainstream. They were referred to by the Phoenix New Times as the northwest's "alternative to alternative."

The Cherry Poppin' Daddies perform as part of the RiverJazz festival, 7:30 p.m. May 22, Musikfest Cafe, ArtsQuest Center, Steel Stacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.

Perry grew up in Binghamton, N.Y., near the Susquehanna River. Perry, who ran track and field at the University of Oregon, quickly became enmeshed in the underground music scene. Grunge music had risen in popularity, but Perry sought to create a band that stood in defiant contrast to grunge and possessed an experimental vitality that audiences could dance to.

Perry, Schmid and trumpeter Dana Heitman, are the three remaining original members. Perry is the sole lyricist, whose songs are often about characters struggling against adversity. Lyric themes include class struggles, family dysfunction, sex, alcoholism and death, often presented in a satirical manner.

The socially-aware lyrics and theatrical shock-value stage performances resulted in the band being under fire and mired in controversy on more than one occasion. Perry enjoys pushing boundaries. "We got into [music] for the art, not commerce," he says unapologetically in a recent phone interview from his home in Eugene.

The Daddies are touring the United States, promoting the 2013 release, "White Teeth, Dark Thoughts," a two-disc collection of boisterous swing.

"It's all our own stuff," says Perry. "It's the closest thing we've done to 'Zoot Suit Riot.' It's a very danceable record with rockabilly on the second CD."

Perry is proud that the Daddies cannot be pigeonholed. The group performs music from many genres and avoids playing fusion music. The band has even recorded songs from different genres on the same album, which has resulted in some criticism.

"When you make a record with different sounding tracks, you get criticized for that," says Perry. "You just have to be yourself. We intended to be wildly far-afield, but retain a narrative between the songs -- like one book with 15 chapters."

Earlier this year, the band collaborated with the Eugene Ballet Company, performing a live show featuring choreographed dance routines set to 13 of the Daddies' songs.

Later this year, a new CD is planned for release, "Please Return the Evening - the Cherry Poppin' Daddies Salute the Music of the Pack Rat."

"We had never done a record like that before," says Perry. The album of cover songs was recorded live with piano, horns and a rhythm section.

"I've been inspired by Quincy Jones-type arrangements," says Perry. "Mellow vibe music. The studio part of us wanted to see if we could do it and make it sound big. It was pretty darn successful."

Perry credits the longevity of The Cherry Poppin' Daddies to stubbornness and a desire to perform.

"This genre is not mainstream," says Perry. "Yet you can go anywhere in the world and people are listening to this music. What hurts in popularity, helps in longevity."