Monkey

Monkey is a ska group from San Francisco, California, active from 1996 to the present. It is a third wave ska band from the San Francisco Bay Area, and its sound is centred on rocksteady and ska, with elements of rock, rockabilly, Latin and soul music.

Line-up and formation

The band forms in summer 1996. Its current members include Curtis Meacham on guitar and vocals, Donelle Cory on bass, Micah Turney on drums, Dustin James on keyboard and trombone, Dan Root on tenor and baritone saxophone, and Brian Lockrem on trumpet and backup vocals. The group has had at least 30 different members since it starts.

Background and influences

Monkey’s influences include the Skatalites, Toots & The Maytals, Desmond Dekker and Elvis Costello. The band performs a horn-led, dancehall-influenced style and tours widely, including across the United States, Canada and parts of Mexico. It also plays regularly in California, especially in the Bay Area.

Releases and recognition

By 2009, Monkey has released four albums. The first two are self-released, and later records appear on Asian Man Records, which is also based in the Bay Area. By 2007, the band is signed to Asian Man Records. Its debut album, ¡Changito!, sells more than 6,000 copies without label support or distribution and is named San Jose’s Best Independent Release for 1998.

Compilation and soundtrack appearances

Monkey has songs on more than 20 international compilation releases. Its music also appears on a PlayStation soundtrack and on independent film soundtracks, including the Russ Meyer tribute Pervert the Movie on Stag Films.

Touring and awards

The band tours the United States more than ten times and typically plays between 150 and 200 concerts a year. It continues touring internationally and releases records on labels including Deluxe Entertainment and Asian Man Records after the decline of third wave ska. Monkey also receives several nominations and awards, including the California Music Award (Bammie 1999).