Harman Patil (Editor)

Monkey (band)

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Active from
  
1996

Record label
  
Asian Man Records

Albums
  
Journey to the West, Bananarchy, Station Wagon Living

Genres
  
Ska/rocksteady, Alternative/Indie, Dance/electronic

Similar
  
Giggs, El Melly, 67, Reekz MB, Ghost

Monkey is a third wave ska band based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their musical influences include the Skatalites, Prince Buster, the Specials, and non-ska artists such as: Elvis Costello, David Byrne and Tito Puente. Monkey has released five albums, the first two as independent releases, the next three by Asian Man Records. Their debut album ¡Changito!, was listed as San Jose's Best Independent Release for 1998. They have toured the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe, and have earned several nominations and awards, including winning the California Music Award (Bammie) in 1999.

Contents

The band has gone on to tour the world and has recorded several albums. Monkey's music can be heard on several compilations, as well as movie and video game soundtracks.

History

Monkey was formed in the summer of 1995, by Curtis Meacham and Kevin Miller. In 1997 Monkey's first full-length release, ¡Changito!, was released. The lineup of the band changed numerous times after this, with Meacham and Miller remaining. In 1999, they won a Bay Area Music award, or Bammy. Their second self-released album, Station Wagon Living came out during the "crash" of third wave ska. Co-founding member Miller left the band in 2001. Meacham, up until then lead singer and organ player, became the band's lead guitarist. Monkey were signed in 2004, and released their first label supported album, Cruel Tutelage on Asian Man Records. While touring Europe, they met up with Bad Manners in the U.K.. They returned to the U.S. and toured as their backup band. In 2009, they released Lost at Sea. The album featured Kincaid Smith from Hepcat on trumpet, and the artwork was supplied by Parker Jacobs of Yo Gabba Gabba fame.

Current lineup

  • Curtis Meacham: Vocals/Guitar
  • Micah Turney: Drums
  • Dustin James: Trombone/Organ/Vocals
  • Brandon DuVall: Saxophone
  • Brian Lockrem: Trumpet/Vocals
  • Donelle Rippon: Bass

    • Previous members (partial list)

  • Aaron Blanding: Trumpet (1995 - 1996)
  • Adam Brioza: Guitar/Vocals (1995 - 2001)
  • Allen Teboul: Drums (1995 - 1996)
  • Bob Furber: Saxophone (1997 - 1998) (R.I.P.)
  • Bob Wilms: Saxophone (1999 - 2000)
  • Bobby Miller: Saxophone (1998 - 1999)
  • Kevin Miller: Bass/Vocals (1995 - 2001)
  • Nikki Arias: trombone/flute (1996 - 1997)
  • Matt Kolb: Drums (1998 - 1999)
  • Jimmy Boom: Drums (1999 - 2001)

    • Special Guests (Non-Members)

  • John Roy of Unsteady appears on Station Wagon Living
  • Kincaid Smith of Hepcat appears on Lost At Sea
  • Michael Valladares of Critical Mass appears on ¡Changito! and Station Wagon Living
  • Roland Alphonso of The Skatalites performs the Tenor Sax solo on "Quemara" on the album ¡Changito!.

    • Discography

  • ¡Changito! (1997) CD, Deluxe Entertainment
  • Station Wagon Living (2002) CD, Deluxe Entertainment
  • Cruel Tutelage (2005) CD, Asian Man Records
  • Lost At Sea (2009) CD, Asian Man Records
  • Bananarchy (2015) CD, Asian Man Records

    • Awards and nominations

  • 1997 Wammie Nomination, SF Weekly
  • 1998 Wammie nomination, S.F. Weekly
  • 1998 Bammie nomination (Bay Area Music Award)
  • 1999 California Music (formerly Bammie) Award Winner for 'Outstanding Ska Artist'

    • Songs

    Monkey BeeJourney to the West · 2008
    Confessions of a PigJourney to the West · 2008
    Heavenly Peach BanquetJourney to the West · 2008

    References

    Monkey (band) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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