Back in the day, The Monks somehow passed me by. I can only plead the “I can’t be clued in on everything” defense. Over the years, though, they became known to me because they were written up in the same kind of ‘zine that also featured me and The Deviants. I never so much as suspected that The Monks had videos, and then Doug the Bass put me straight with this gem that hints at all kinds of ideas that would later lay foundations for everything form krautrock to Devo.
I recall that the Pink Fairies played more than one show with a band called the Monks, I specifically recall Guildford. I don't think it was the same band. These guys were earthy rock and a touch tubby. They all wore monk habits on stage which, when off, stunk up the dressing room to high heaven.
ReplyDeleteWoW! Great stuff, thanks, Mick.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that they played much outside of Germany, if at all, until they reunited this decade. Further I don't think the Deutschlanders cared much for 'em either, but their album is amazing.
ReplyDeleteMick,
ReplyDeleteI have a great friend who still works at EMI Music, and he turned me on to The Monks many years ago (as well as Silver Apples—just in time to see Simon in Silver Lake several years ago—and too many other bands that may well have made Greg Shaw wake up way before he was dead, if you know what I mean), and if you do not know him, well, I should introduce you two sometime before one of us dies, too. . .
Sounds like a plan, Metrohopper, how do we make it happen?
ReplyDeleteLemme see what I can do. I imagine you two will have loads to talk about.
ReplyDelete-Randall