hello! meet the band & more monkeys
From of the City of Angels comes 100 Monkeys, a band described by SPIN.com as “funk rock” and by RollingStone.com as “tribal sounds with vocals recalling Jim Morrison’s baritone croon.” Beyond Race Magazine says they are “sing-along-worthy, sometimes bluesy” and MTV.com describes them as a mix of “Iggy Pop with the Raconteurs”.
100 Monkeys, however, jest that their music is purely “onomatopoetic, but for the sake of simplicity, we’ll call it funky rock-n-roll.”
This quintet of multi-instrumentalists comprises of multi-faceted artists, actors and producers such as: Jackson Rathbone (who appears in such movies as The Last Airbender, and the Twilight Saga), Ben Graupner (Trapped in the 5150, Devolved), Jerad Anderson (Wayne/Lauren Film Company), Lawrence Abrams (of the great Willie Bobo, Bob Hope U.S.O. tour, and The Artist Consortium), and Ben Johnson (of the Stevedores and music producer of Spencer Bell’s “Brain”).
100 Monkeys are known to switch instruments and vocalists nearly every other song during their raucous, theatrical live-sets, an idea patented as the “Monkey Switcheroo”. Swinging about the stage with an enthusiasm that seems to have been lost since the advent of digital recordings, the 100 Monkeys bring back that analog rock-n-roll of the 60’s, with the humor and cynicism of modern times.
When asked to describe their lyrics, the band attributes “drinking, the devil, death, and women who cheat and steal.” To further the eclectic eccentricity, the band consistently improvises a song per live-set, whereupon they ask an idea or “song title” from the audience and proceed to jam out a tune replete with verses and lyrics…another original idea from an original rock band.
100 Monkeys’ completely independent discography includes 3 EP’s: “Monster de Lux” (all improvised recordings),”Singles” (Ugly Girl, Smoke, Wasteland Too), and “The Creative Control: Live Sessions.”
Their first studio album, “Grape”, which was released in 2009, and an untitled follow-up album set for January 2011. Off the yet-to-be-titled sophomore album, 100 Monkeys released their first single, “KolPix”, with a B-side set, “Future Radio” which will be released July 7, 2010 in building up to their Live Album (due on digital marketplaces July 20, 2010 as well as on 100monkeysmusic.com).
Stay tuned at 100monkeysmusic.com for further album, touring updates and other news from the band.
ben g.
Febraury 7th Dallas Tx.
Keys, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Percussion, Trumpet, Vocals
Was assembled in the port of Juarang, but his parts were made in Thailand. Traveled to the states in ‘91 with his brother and mule, and they never would’ve made it if Ben wasn’t a submersible, “that means I work underwater.” Ben started playing music two Januarys ago.
ben j.
May 4th 1984 Mt. Carrol Il.
Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keys, Vocals
Discovered in the woods of Illinois, captured and brought to NY where he learned to hit things in rhythmic fashion that pleas-eth the ear. rescued by Spencer Bell, and brought to WI where he continued to hit things in rhythmic delight for the band, The Stevedores. After braving the winters of WI, he migrated southwest to Los Angeles, and started hitting things in rhythmic fashion that so pleas-eth the ear as a 100 Monkey.
j. action
December 21st 1984
Born: Singapore City, Singapore
Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Drums Keys, Trumpet, Mandolin, Harmonica
Parts made in Indonesia, assembled in Singapore, raised on airplane peanuts and bathed in airport restroom sinks, he was saved by texas. given a guitar and a coat he accidentally ventured into the unknown… a wormhole opened, and he found himself in La La Land. He learned how to stand where they told him to, say what they told him to and never lie. rescued by the 100 Monkeys, he now swings about the stage in gratitude.
j. rad
June 4 1981
San Diego, CA
Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys, Backup Vocals
An agile primate, swung on bars and competed as an acrobat for many years. Is of a rare breed, having the ability to communicate via sign language. He adapted to a coastal habitat, surfing and skateboarding as a way to pass time. However, it wasn’t until he mastered the technique of the singing strings and melodic hammer machine, that the 100 Monkeys rushed to claim him as their own.
uncle
Chicago Il.
July 5th 1953
Percussions, Flute, Bass, Keys, Saxophone, Vocals
Known only as Uncle since discovered at the age of four by a band of traveling musicians, he wouldn’t stop hitting things. For that reason he was given a drum and put to work. After learning the meaning of life at the age of seven he found learning every instrument a simple task. He proceeded to continue his travels and learned all knowledge worth learning. After happening upon a troupe of monkeys he officially became a monkeys’ uncle.
more monkeys
ELLIOT LEVIN “That’s what we are. We’re swingers.”
HUGH MORRETTA “I am the missing link, goodbye.”
NSHAN MARKOSYAN “Swinging in trees is a lot easier with a guitar in your hand.”
SANDMAN “Why send a man to do a monkey’s job?”
SCOTT ‘THE SCIENTIST’ COSLETT “Talk to you later, i’m working.”
SHAWN FERNANDO “In the words of the great James Brown, ‘Movin, doin’ it, you know’.
YAYA EDWARDS “Everyone knows you’re the head monkey when you can play with banana’s in your hands.”