It's All Just Noise

 "It's all just noise." That's what my father used to say about the music I listened to in my room during my teen years. In all fairness, he was right about Diesel Rhino just being "noise," but that was what appealed to me about it. As for the rest, it was music.

Back in 2016, before Covid-19 fucked up everyone's plans, the Monsters released The Jungle Noise Recordings on Reverend Beat-Man's own Voodoo Rhythm Records label. It was the 1994-95 home recording sessions of the Monsters. If you've followed the band, you know these songs. Jungle Noise was originally released by the German label Jungle Noise in 1995 as a 10" vinyl. Some of the other tracks here were released on 7"s on other labels, and the song "It's Not My Way" was originally meant for a Swiss anti-war compilation, but was not put on that release for whatever reason. 

The band's lineup at the time was a bit different, than what most fans are used to, as well. Robert Butler and Kat Allen were both in the band at that time, but later parted ways to pursue other projects. 

Featuring 19 songs that are a fascinating look at the band's beginnings. It starts out with the energetic fuzzed-out thrash of "Psych-Out With Me" and ends with "Skeleton Stomp." In between you got all the classics like "Mummie Fucker Blues," "Lonesome Town," "Rock Around the Tombstone," and "Play With Fire." It is, indeed, music to ruin any party, and, more importantly, it is historic.

The Monsters is the only band tattoo I sport. Not the Misfits. Not Black Flag or the Dead Kennedys. Not Prince. The Monsters. Why? I recognize its purity. Beat-Man describes the sound as "primitive rock-n-roll chainsaw massacre trash garage" music. That is the most accurate description one can give. 

Purity in audio form, and if you haven't experienced the band's sound yet, you should. This is a good place to start.

25 Years of Monsters

2011 marked 25 years of the Monsters’ existence.  25 years of garage rock psychostomp.  25 years of Switzerland’s own making what is decidedly American music better than Americans.  With Pop Up Yours, out on the legendary Voodoo Rhythm label, the Monsters solidifies its stranglehold on the world. 

This release is 14 songs that maintain that patented Monsters sound while at the same time sounding a bit more polished than previous releases.  That rawness the band is known for remains, but it is a pristine raw, if that makes any sense.  Think of Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All versus the black album.  Then think the opposite.  That is pristine raw. 

“I Want You” opens the CD, and there is no mistaking what band you are hearing.  It’s a great way to start the release, and it captures your attention immediately, and you attention will be held until the final number, “Into the Void,” which is a moody, slightly sinister piece.  In between there are 12 other songs that are just as catchy and destructive, like candy dynamite.  “More You Talk, Less I Hear You,” “Ce Soir,” “Ain’t Crawling Back to You No More” – there is no stand out because they all stand out.  It’s a Monsters release.  What do you expect?

At this point in my life I have exactly one band related tattoo.  That tattoo is from a Monsters press release from years ago.  There is a reason why that is the only one, and this release exemplifies it.  It is one of the few bands that is timeless and I know won’t disappoint whenever it releases something new.  I can’t say that about many, but I can confidently say it about this one.

If you haven’t heard the Monsters before, this is an excellent place to start.  Frankly, any of the band’s releases are a good place to start, but this one may be the one that can honestly ease you into the experience.  Every other one kind of just throws you into the pool when you least expect it.  This one just gives a gentle nudge.  Either way, you end soaking in it.

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Joy to the World -- New Monsters Release!

The Monsters is the only band tattoo I have.  Seriously.  It was the first Voodoo Rhythm Records band I heard, and it made me fall in love with the label.  Well, now there is a new release out.  ... Pop Up Yours.  I do hope this one finds its way into my mailbox.  Life wouldn't be right without it.

I can't review it yet, because I don't have it, but ... here is a video from the new album.  Listening to it gave me goosebumps, as the band usually does.  It is garage rock/rockabilly/fuzzed nightmare music.  Remember that hot girl from school you always wanted to have sex with but were afraid to because she looked dangerous?  She was dangerous.  She now listens to this.



Of course, a tour has been announced.  Of course, I am not anywhere near any of the cities it is hitting.  Though, if I were in Germany, I'd be all over this every night.  The Monsters is one of the few select bands I would bother to see live.  And hey, who wouldn't want to catch these guys at a Coffin Festival?

Go to the website.  Order the CD.  It won't disappoint.  Of this, I am certain.  Oh, and if you are overseas or will be, below is the tour schedule.  Man, I'm jealous of all these lucky foreign folks ...

29sept. swiss zurich STALL 6
30sept. austria dorbirn transmitter fest.
1st october nl eindhoven effennaar coffin festival
2nd october germany frankfurt moonshake party ponyhof
3rd october germany, Dreseden, Groove Station
4th october germany, Rostock, Mau Club
5th october germany munster gleiss 22 .
6th october swiss fribourg Nouveau monde ..
7th october swiss wintherthur GASWERK
8th october france METZ les trinitaires
14th october swiss, Rolling Rock, Aarau (record release party !!)
15th october swiss, Reithalle, Bern ( record release party !!)
27th october germany, SO36, Berlin
28th october france, Mains d'oevre, Paris
29th october england, the lexington, London
2012
20th january swiss, kofmehl, Solothurn
21th January, swiss, Zoo L'usine, geneva