Take 3 monkeys, 1 acoustic guitar, 1 finger picked guitar, 1 electric guitar, 1 drum kit, 1 thick synth bass, 1 bass guitar, a generous dash of harmonic vocal convergence, blend ingredients well and you get...
Uncle Monkey
DP1 Café - Mawhera Quay, Greymouth
Thursday, 13th February 2003
Rating: 
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Well, I'll be an Uncle's Monkey on an Open Arms Tour of Aotearoa. I've seen and heard Wellie blokes Carl, Sam and Steve perform 4 times now and believe me, it doesn't take that many listens to get the feel of the band. Melodic kiwi acoustic indie rock/pop at it's finest steady rhythm with the material articulately delivered by lead vocalist Carl and superb blending of vocal harmonies and musical ability from all three.
So, I'm waiting to be grabbed by the throat by the tunes, and I get a welcome nuzzle in the neck... I can live with that! Although there were times when the musical passages built to a crescendo and Aunty Sheryl and I thought it high time we got up and tripped the light fantastic and play with the ebb and flow of energies emanating from the stage. On yer feet, everyone... and the Uncles just might play a couple of extra tunes for ya! And yeah, they did. So what's it all about? Lives and loves lost and found, victory, defeat, you know, everyday monkey in the barrel stuff.
Shrewd, or crazy, Uncle Monkey's independent marketing strategy and a one town at a time climb to fame sees them traveling on a bare bones budget in a South African Kombi Van that would challenge any Grand Prix (that's pronounced "pree"!!) champion to consider throwing in their overly-sponsored automotive embroidered towel. Touring is one way to sell a CD to the impulse buyer and create new fans, and this band is very much in touch with its fan base - they are just super-duper really nice guys. Besides that, their foot on the floor driving mixed with humour is the way they deliver their set and what sets them apart from most of the pack.
They're not another flash in the pan pop prince outfit - their first ever performance was on Friday, 12 May 1995... didn't see them then, but I've seen it all now... stage presence, catchy hooks and chorus's that you can't get out of your head, and despite the rumours, caring is cool. A healthy blend of sensitivity and sass will win hands down in my book any day, but hey, I come from the old school... when caring, sass and sensitivity was and still is styli. Hear no, See no, Speak no... and you'll miss out...
Uncle Monkey proves once again what a great trio they are.