The
Adverstiser, November 18, 1999
Wise Monkeys prove they mean business!
From Left to Right:
Phil, Angie, Ade and Chris!
by
Kevin Matthews
AMERICAN garage has left the shores of
the new world and set up home in Ormskirk.
Local band Monkey Steals the Drum are a US-influenced
band who are about to hit the big time.
The four-piece group, together for 18 months, recently
received a phone call from music scene legend John Peel
who has kick started the careers of many big time bands.
After listening to the band's latest demo he was so
interested in the Ormskirk band's sound that he called
them the same day and invited them to play at a Sound
City concert which he had organised.
Vocalist/guitarist Chris Ashcroft, 23, received the call:
"I was totally shocked to hear that unmistakable
voice.
"He said he had listened to our CD and had really
enjoyed it, and would we play a gig for him in Liverpool.
"I told the others but I don't think they believed
me at first."
They went on to play the gig at The Picket in Liverpool
alongside local bands including Ooberman.
Lead guitarist Phil Lee, 22, said the night was a great
experience: "After the gig, John Peel came to us and
said we had lived up to his high expectations and invited
us down to London to record some sessions for his Radio
One show."
All four members are former pupils of Ormskirk Grammar
School. Bass player and vocalist, Adrian Cunliffe, 18,
has taken a year out before going to university to be in
the band: "I decided to wait a while before going to
college just to see if we can make it," he said.
"We have all worked really hard and it all seems to
be coming together for us.
"We have broken attendance records at the Lomax."
Drummer Angela Walker, 18, was the last to join and
learned as she went along. She now provides the beat for
the others to build on.
Chris believes that the band's style is a refreshing
change from the current music scene: "We are big
fans of Nirvana, Pixies and the Smashing Pumpkins and we
hope to provide Britain with a long-awaited alternative
to Britpop."
John Peel has now contacted the band and asked them to
travel to London on December 12 for a recording session.
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