Monkey is a third wave ska band from the San Francisco Bay Area of California, formed in summer 1996. Musical influences include Skatalites, Toots & The Maytals, Desmond Dekker, and Elvis Costello. Rocksteady and ska dominate their sound, while elements of rock, rockabilly, Latin, and soul music are also present. As of 2007, the band was signed with Asian Man Records, also based in the Bay Area. Monkey has released three albums as of 2007. The first two were independently released, and the third was released by Asian Man Records. Their debut album Changito! has sold over 6,000 copies, without any record label support or distribution, and was listed as San Jose's Best Independent Release for 1998. The band has had songs on over 20 international compilation releases, has had music on a PlayStation soundtrack, and has had songs added to independent film soundtracks. Monkey has toured the United States over 10 times, as well as touring Canada and parts of Mexico, bringing the band's big beat, horn-driven, dancehall sound to people all over the continent. The band has typically performed between 150 and 200 concerts per year. As of 2007, Monkey was performing concerts in several parts of California, namely its home, the Bay Area. Monkey has earned several nominations and awards, including the California Music Award (Bammie 1999). Monkey continued touring internationally and releasing records on labels like Deluxe Entertainment and Asian Man Records long after the fall of third wave ska. It is believed that there have been at least 30 different members since the band was initially formed. Michael Valladares of Critical Mass has recorded saxophone for Monkey on both their Changito and Station Wagon Living CDs, as well as performing live with the band on occasion.
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2007 lineup
- Curtis Meacham: guitar, lead vocals
- Brian Lockrem: trumpet, backup vocals
- Dustin James: trombone, keyboard
- Dan Root: saxophone
- Donelle Cory: bass
- Micah Turney: drums
Discography
- Monkey (Self-Titled) 4-Song Demo *Deluxe Entertainment
- Jammas In Pajammas 2-Song Sampler *Deluxe Entertainment
- Changito Full Length Album *Deluxe Entertainment
- Monkey/Unsteady 7" Vinyl *Asian Man Records
- Astro EP 2000 4-Song Sampler *Deluxe Entertainment
- Station Wagon Living Full Length Album *Deluxe Entertainment
- Cruel Tutelage Full Length Album *Asian Man Records
- Monkey Ska Full Length Compilation *Disc Union released in Japan by Ska in the World Records
Soundtracks
- Pervert The Movie Stag Films
- Big Air Playstation Game
- Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow Starving Artists Films
Compilations
- Bay Area Ska Bay Area Ska
- Freedom Sounds Shanachie Records
- F@#ing Free! Bayareaska.com
- Groovin' In The Grass U of AZ
- Infinite Diversity Section 31 Records
- Live From Mars Random Order
- Mail Order Is Fun Asian Man Records
- Mario From Italy Green Fridge Records
- Potluck Ska Stub-Daddy Records
- Primo Sonic Rhythms Vol. II Rivercidal Syndicate Records
- Puro Eskañol 2 Aztlan Records
- Reggae Soundsystem Live 105 Presents
- Ska, Rocksteady & Reggae Steady Beat Records
- Skamageddon III Moon Ska Records
- Sofa's Choice Little Lucky Records
- Soundoff 2001 Ultravibe.com
- Still Standing Jump Up Records
- West Coast Skampolation Full Stop Industries
- What'd You Expect for Free? Skratch Magazine
- Who's the Man? Full Stop Industries
- Winners Vol. I I.M. Magazine
Awards
- 1997 Wammie Nomination (SF Weekly)
- 1998 Wammie Nomination (SF Weekly)
- 1998 Bammie Nomination (Bam Mag)
- 1999 California Music Award Winner for 'Outstanding Ska Artist'
- 2000 Independent Music Award Nomination
- 2000 Winner of the Ernie Ball Vans Warp Tour Contest
- 2002 Winner of the Alice 97.3 fm Now & Zen Garage Band Competition
- 2003 Winner of the I.M. Magazine Band Search
