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Monkey Boy

The Aquatic Ape Theory

Label:

174
mrivers by Martin Rivers April 1st, 2001

For the Monkey Boy virgins amongst you, here's a quick low-down on the trio: two bassists, no guitars, one vocalist drummer. They combine blues, punk, jazz and something else entirely, have a tendency shout a lot, and sound a bit like an army of chainsaws on heat.

As well as having every song introduced by a computer generated voice, opening track Fish for a Quid features Keith Arthur's guide to economical fishing. I don't know why. I don't think Monkey Boy know why. But it just works damnit. In Deadmanjones the band somehow manage to balance ten second long gaps, groovy laid back jazz beats and demonic screaming in with their already baboonish (it’s a real word!) sound, creating what basically amounts to the coolest music this side of Planet of the Apes: The Musical.

Throw in Journey to the God of Monk Rock, a nine minute long instrumental with five bass lines (thanks to Rothko lending a hand), then consider the fact that the potentially suicidal epic track actually sounds good, and you begin to realise Monkey Boy's underlying talent. If this single is anything to go by (and it is, I'm told), expect their debut album to be released this summer amidst a flurry of frenzied press hype, sold out shows and high pitched chimpanzee-impersonating fans.

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