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Black Monk Time (1966)

posted by Justin at 2:09 pm.

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1. “Monk Time” – 2:42
2. “Shut Up” – 3:11
3. “Boys Are Boys and Girls Are Choice” – 1:23
4. “Higgle-Dy-Piggle-Dy” – 2:28
5. “I Hate You” – 3:32
6. “Oh, How to Do Now” – 3:14
7. “Complication” – 2:21
8. “We Do Wie Du” – 2:09
9. “Drunken Maria” – 1:44
10. “Love Came Tumblin’ Down” – 2:28
11. “Blast Off!” – 2:12
12. “That’s My Girl” – 2:24

Don’t ask me how I cam across this band, but according to iTunes some 6 months ago I imported a song ‘Love Came Tumblin’ Down‘ by The Monks. Over Christmas break I really got into 60’s instrumental/surf rock bands: The Tornados, The Shadows, etc. Ever since, I’ve been beginning to obsess with the idea of creating an entirely rhythmical, instrumental-based band you could get kids our age to dig (ie. dance to). Well, two weeks ago I came across the Monks song again for the 4th or 5th time, and was immediately overcome with this crazed vision because this was basically the sound i was imagining.

Read More! There’s videos!

Well it turns out this band, The Monks didn’t really amount to much stateside after their one and only release. According to Wiki they were primarily based in Germany and were “way ahead of their time”, which I definitely agree with. I ordered the CD on amazon last week and it came on Monday, it wasn’t everything I was expecting - hoping there would be a couple insane gems, but it is still great. The five guys that made up the band seem almost ridiculous from the periodic vocals, to the outfits and matching shaved heads, but it all makes the music even cooler. The heavy bass and repeated organ and banjo strums are so unique, you’ll spend your time trying to figure out just wtf is being played and how.

Unfortunately, hypem.com doesn’t have many Monks tracks linked on the site, but now that the217 supports youtube you can watch them live, which is even cooler because of the insane dancing crowd and cool outfits.

Oh, How Do To Now:

Monk Chant:

To see more search ‘The Monks’ @ Youtube.
If anyone’s interested in some mp3s, shoot me an email.

Justin Cudmore: cudmore2@gmail.com