100 Monkeys spill Bananas all over Toronto

100 Monkeys on July 9, 2011 at The Mod Club, Toronto

The first time I ever heard of this band was because of Jackson Rathbone (yeah, you know, the actor who played Jasper Hale in the Twilight Saga? Him). I'd be lying if I said I didn't start listening to 100 monkeys because of him but after seeing them perform during Canadian Music Week last year, it's been a while different story. Their eclectic sound may not appeal to the average crowd but there is just something about them that makes you want to listen.

If somebody were to ask "What (or who) do they sound like?" I wouldn't be able to give you a definitive answer. To be honest they're not exactly like anything or anybody else I've heard. With a mix of blues, funk and old fashioned rock and roll, each and every song they have is different to the core. And while the songs may be different, they make you want to dance and move to the beat. Their energy is riveting and it's hard not to follow suit.

The Ruby Spirit

The opening acts were probably my least favourite moments of the night. Which, if I am to be honest, is weird because I'm usually one to find a new band to listen to in the opening act sequences. Not this time! The first band, The Ruby Spirit, were definitely a talented bunch (nobody can deny), but they kind of reminded me too much of Lady Gaga and Blondie combined. While the lead singer's voice was powerful and strong, she just seemed to be trying way too hard. I think if she just forgot about everything and just sang that her performance would have impressed me a whole lot more then it did.


As for the second act, Bleeding Horse Express, I was not impressed at all. While the male lead showed a little more personality then his female counterpart, he seemed to spend more time silently reassuring her that everything was fine. And in the meantime she barely looked out into the crowd. It's almost as if she'd never done this before in front of a large group! (And by large group I mean barely 100 people). They were lacking the connection with the crowd and the rest of the band and it definitely didn't appeal to me. But I do like to keep it positive and the instrumentals were definitely good. So if you tuned out everything else and just listened to the beat and the guitars you'd have enjoyed their set!


By 8:15 p.m. (It was an early show as it was a Saturday night - a.k.a. club night), the boys of 100 Monkeys it the stage. BY 8:16 p.m. they had their fans rocking out.

Jackson playing guitar

One of their greatest appeals to me is how they like to switch it up - literally. They share the vocal spotlight and the instruments evenly while keeping the crowd entertained with their jokes and flirty "Canadian girls are hotter" routine. While singing favourites (of mine at least) like "Orson Brawl", "The Monkey Song", "Dirty Girl", "Wing on Fire" and songs by the late great William Bell, they also kept it fresh by singing new tunes off their new album Liquid Zoo and by doing improv! Yes, improv people! They took a moment about 3/4 of the way through the set to get suggestions from the audience as to what they could sing about. Two minutes later and after multiple "great" suggestions, they chose the theme of "I'm so easy." So for the next four minutes or so they (with Jackson on vocals) made up an entirely new song off the back of there heads. It's not often you see musicians do something like that and it truly shows you the talent this band has. 


And yes, while I was smitten by Jackson's quirky good looks and southern charm, it does not cloud over the fact that I can recognize talent when I see it. While there music may be a little avant garde, anybody who walks out of their show, walks out a fan. I know I did.

Jackson playing Drums

Later days!
Taryn


*All photos courtesy of Zebraprintsky's Miss Jenny Ellis! My photos didn't turn out so swell (stupid dark club haha), so luckily I have such an awesome concert mate who allows me to use hers!






















Annnnnd one more picture just because he is just so adorably awesome. Seriously, his southern accent is to DIE for! 

At the signing table after the show! <3