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See link below for complete installment (14 pages)
THE LIVES AND VENTURES OF A BAND CALLED 100 MONKEYS: A WEEKLY UPDATE IN WORDS
BRADEN BELL
1/17 – 1/23 2010
SUNDAY
It was for good reasons that the 100 Monkeys wanted the company of a writer for the duration of their travels. Their constant movement across this country and Canada entails much more than an hour or two onstage anywhere between New Jersey and Las Vegas, Nevada. There are experiences to be had and lessons to be learned on the road, en-route to Elsewhere.There is much to document and record, and for that purpose this writer is a hired hand of sorts with the goal to make permanent on paper, the curiosities, obscurities and even routine happenings with regard to 100 Monkeys in motion and activity. This writer and company has sat brooding and proud more than once at the intersection of Crossroads and Main, eager to make the fateful decision to either turn back or push forward to the next town; the next venue; the next experience. Concerning the band itself, there is simply too much momentum and therefore no sense in letting things like exhaustion or Northern California snowstorm quell the collective idea that music must be played, and it must be played often.
So when Canadian Border Patrol decided to politely postpone our entry into Vancouver, cautious laughter among band members reigned over bitterness or anxiety. Apparently, there was an anonymous tip forwarded to the border crossing intended to curb our entry which red-flagged the convoy and permitted the authorities to thoroughly examine the vehicles for supposed paraphernalia. Of course, the charge upturned no such evidence and did nothing but impose a slight frustration among the band and crew. But such is an example of a roadblock incurred by circumstance. The band made their first show of the evening on time, however, and had retained a story to tell their peers at Neptoon Records where their first set was to be played.
TO CONTINUE READING, CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF
UPDATE: FEBRUARY 11, 2010 — The PDF has been updated and now includes the first installment, in its entirety. Sorry for any inconvenience; thank you for your patience.
14 pages
I got stopped and searched for drugs at the border before too! On my way to a 100 Monkeys concert no less.
What a treat to read this morning….thanks so much for sharing, Brady.
To read this brings a whole new layer to the appreciation and admiration I have for these guys. We as fans knows every detail of the stage, the set-up, the instruments and who play them on which songs, the songs themselves and everything associated with the shows. To have an insight in to this part of the journey, between those events, is such a treasure.
Thank you for writing for us, the fans and thanks to the guys for allowing us to be part of this aspect of their journey.
I echo Johnson….I can’t wait for this next leg of the tour.
Brady, this was amazing! You have such a great voice. I love reading the way you described the guys passion for music through the whole article.
A life on the road can’t be easy, but with passion like theirs the sun will always shine!
Can’t wait for the next leg and the next instalment!
Fantastic, Brady! Are we missing a page though? Pages 9 and 10 are one and the same and seem to be missing their beginning in the pdf.
The writing is superb and it’s really great getting some insight into what goes on behind-the-scenes on the road with the band. Thank you very much for sharing. Looking forward to the rest.
Now, what assh*le called border patrol? :/
Thank you Brady for writing your perspective on the tour and journey the band have taken so far. Truly a fascinating read.
Look forward to reading more in the future.
Thank you, Brady, for sharing these very interesting and insightful tales. I look forward to reading more in the months to come.
Brady, to read this was amazing. Your words are so visual. Thank you for sharing this, its gives us such insight of what actually goes one, and what it takes to get where they are going.
Love love LOVED this! What an amazing and unique perspective! I agree with Jgirl, it seems as if a page is missing….my favorite line though…”It is because they value art they exhaust themselves persuing it”. Wow. Thank you so much for sharing this…you have a wonderful way with words!
Brady,
That was phenomenal. Thank you for sharing your writing talent and Monkey tour stories with the fans.
[...] thhe whole story here Posted in News, [...]
Brady! My god, you are too fabulous for words. Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us.
Thanks Braden that was extemely insightful. I throughaly enjoyed every word. Looking forward to reading more soon!
You are fabolous, Braden!! THanks!
the ipod is a form of lifeblood for those who play music!!! That is soooo f***ing amazing. That gave me chills!! I love it.
and what a great outlook on life. care free souls who travel to the end of the world and back with a love and passion so strong for their craft. Not just their craft, but for MUSIC. It’s very moving. ~long live rock and roll~
This was so fun to read. Insightful, funny,
absolutely great.
That was so amazing to see what it’s like to hang with the 100 Monkeys while they are on tour. You have such a way with words. And I feel your guys’ pain with the snow, as I was coming from the coast at the same time and was sad to hear that the Sac. concert was cancelled. Having a writer to document everything is an awesome idea!! Keep up the great work!!!!
fantastically well written. I absolutely enjoyed the insight into the “between” what we get to see ourselves. I think my favorite was “This is commonly understood within the 100 Monkeys fan base, and mention of anything otherwise ought to be coined as nothing more or less ignorant at heart.” I so absolutely agree. and I was just discussing this with a friend of mine after I saw your show at the Venue and she caught your show in Seattle. It’s such a frustration to see people who are not there for the music, who are just there to “see Jasper”… I can honestly say, I have seen you all 6 times and each time I keep coming back for the music and for the show. attention needs to be paid to your success and wonderful ability to entertain, not to any characters that you all may have portrayed at one time or another.
Thank you for sharing this!
That was absolutely amazing Brady! Thank you so much for sharing your perspective with us. I look forward to reading more soon. I would say i’m rather amazed at how these boys manage to surround themselves with spectacularly talented individuals, but I guess it’s only fitting since they are of the same breed themselves.
Awesome Braden..LUV your writing style..and it keeps us updated on all the Monkey Business..Love it..Thank you.
There is a mistake in this column, as some of you have kindly pointed out. Page nine intersects not with the page above it. Please forgive any confusion incurred by this. As well, the first page is a draft and it is by this writer’s own inaccuracy that it was published.
Glitches will soon be repaired, and the current postings hardly rival that of what is soon to accompany them.
Thank you all for reading.
Braden Bell
Agreeing with the earlier comments about the missing page. I got to page 9 and was dumped into the middle of a story involving snow and being stuck in it. Page 10 displayed the same. I seem to be missing the beginning of an interesting story, to be sure. The rest has been well written, a fact which I will not overlook. Well done, Braden!
[...] [Source: 100 Monkeys] [...]
I quite enjoyed reading that, thank you for sharing. It makes me even more excited to see the 100 monkeys perform, which hopefully will happen soon. New Jersey or bust!
Brady,
Brilliant. effing brilliant. When I read your words, I hear Kerouac. You have a way of writing that seems to come from a deeper part than many writers, from some other time, partly inspired by the Beat generation.
Thank you for writing this, I’ll look forward to the next part.
And I will definitely be keeping an eye out for anything else you write.. Beautiful.
Much love x
(sent this comment again bc prior one had f word. idk if thats against the moderator’s rules, either way, loved it. love the monkeys. loved the stories. Come back to Texas soon please)
Thank you for sharing your writing with us. I enjoy your style of writing and cannot wait to read more.
I cannot wait to see the van return to it’s homeland (Madison) carrying it’s precious cargo.
Hi all,
The PDF has been updated. Sorry for the inconvenience.
http://lookcdn.s3.amazonaws.com/100monkeys/2010/100-monkeys_monkey-ventures_braden-bell_2010-01.pdf
I love the typeface of your blog ’cause I’m old school like that. I’m also a total travel stories whore, so thanks to you and the band for allowing us some insight of your life on the road. Did I mention I love the name Braden? And that you also misspelled ‘criticize’? Not a snide remark, by the way… just a correction habit of mine!
Can understand the frustration of Twilight-related press interfering w/ the band’s integrity, and true monkey fans annoyed by twilight-converted monkey fans, but does it really matter what route we took to get here? We’re all at the shows for the same reason — to celebrate this band. Sending bundles of banana love to all y’all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I finally found the time to sit down and read Monkey ventures. I figured I’d read a page or two tonight and finish it over the next few days. It so did’t work that way. Once I began reading I absolutely couldn’t stop. I have found yet another writer that has won me over. (Not an easy task, I’m very hard to interest.) I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and I can’t wait to move on to the next section. I think I’m going to be late for work again. LOL