Plug In With Monkey Gone Mad

Monkey Gone Mad is:
Ian Rafalak - Vocals, trumpet
Brendan McLaughlin - Guitar, vocals
Kate Penn - Trombone, vocals
Jason Rafalak - Bass, vocals
Jeff Pierce - Keys, vocals
Jesse Winchester - Drums
Ayra Chowdhury - Guitar, vocals
Adam "Number Two" Siegel - Alto /tenor sax
Dean Keller - Tenor/bari sax, bass clarinet
Hometown: Scotia, NY
Genre: ska/funk/punk/hiphop
Booking Info: dan@rkstar.com
Website: www.monkeygonemad.com

Monkey Gone Mad just finished work on their new CD "Listen" which will be released this coming week. Monkey Gone Mad is upstate New York's hidden secret of ska/funk/punk/hiphop about to be revealed. Comprised of members of other projects such as The Renowned Army, Westbound Train, One Sweet World, Pocket Protector and See Girl Run, MGM has been developing their unique style for 7 years, influenced by the tastes of all 9 members. From Fishbone, to NOFX, to the Roots, a little bit of everything gets thrown into the DNA of this musical organism.

With their appearance on the much anticipated ska compilation "Still Standing" (also featuring such artists as the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Slackers and Toasters), MGM got a dose of national (and to an extent international) exposure, which put them on the map in the ska scene. However, it would be a gross oversimplification to simply label their music "ska."
The sound that has been incubating for these years and has only been available in limited amounts on compilations and the band's 2001 EP "Skunk With a Porpoise" is about to be born through their first full length album "Listen..." The spectrum of ideas present within the band is finally documented, ranging from the old-school Jamaican "Reggae People," to the hard-hitting hip hop of "Right Now," to the quirky ska-pop of "Sometimes". And it's tight: clean production, yet managing to preserve the organic sound of MGM.

We caught up with the band as they worked on wrapping up the last details for their release party at Northern Lights and asked them.......

How long has the band been making music together?
Monkey Gone Mad formed as a three piece in 1997, and has constantly been adding and changing members ever since. The nine members that are currently in the band have been a band for about a year.

Where do you call home?
Scotia is homebase to the band, though there are members in Pittsburgh, Rochester, Ithaca, Schenectady, and Albany.

Where did the band's name come from?
Jay Rafalak came up with the name "Monkey Gone Mad & The Hootenany Orchestra" for a High School talent show, and it was quickly shortened.

Describe what a crowd can expect at one of your shows?
The crowd at MGM shows are rather diverse... there's the core of the ska kids, but the music is so varied and so accessible, everyone from little kids to grandparents often come to the shows.

What is your pre-show ritual?
No pre-show ritual other than to practice and scurry together a soundcheck (which isn't easy with nine people).

What's it like to play shows with such a large band of nine musicians?
To quote Perfect Thyroid's Sam Lapidus - 'Monkey Gone Mad is like a 3-ring circus. There's something going on in every part of the stage.'

We've all been waiting anxiously for the new CD - what was it like making "Listen" and what can fans look forward to?
It was definitely an experience putting together a full album... we had a lot of fun working with a lot of guest musicians who are also friends of ours, and Ted Marotta did a great job engineering and helping priduce it all. It's been a long year, and it was exciting hearing everything finally come together. Fans can probably most look forward to the band breaking from it's oft-used stereotype as a "ska band". While there are a lot of musical ska patterns etc on the disc, there's way more than just ska.

Would you be willing to share your comments on the local music scene and what it's really like to be a part of it?
The capital district music scene is full of great musicians and songwriters, and we're honored to be a part of it.Over the years, Monkey Gone Mad's live show has evolved, but the constants of high energy and spontaneity have always been part of the picture. With 9 members, there's never a dull moment. Smooth transitions keep the flow, while surprise covers and feel changes keep you guessing. We love what we do and we're pretty sure you'll dig it. See you at the show!

Our friend Dan Goodspeed at rkstar.com tells us that you can buy the new CD from the band themselves at two local shows coming up this week - one is at Valentine's on Tuesday with The Toasters, Public Access, and Honeycreeper. The second is their big CD release party at Northern Lights on Thursday, June 23rd with The Late Night Show. The first 20 people through the door get a free copy of the new CD. As if all that wasn't enough, you can also catch the band doing some radio interviews Sunday NIght- 8pm on Jason Keller's Big Break 103.1FM, and 11pm on EQXposure 102.7FM.

For more details and a full list of upcoming shows be sure to check out the band's new website at www.monkeygonemad.com

Music For Miracles Concert and CD Release Party To Benefit The Childrens Hospital at AMC

This weekend the capitol city hosted the Second Annual Music For Miracles Concert in Albany's Washington Park, on Saturday June 18th, from noon-8pm. The concert offered a great music-filled day in the park featuring many local, regional, and national performers, including North Allen, Tyler Hilton, Arc, Importante, Aaron Carter, Sirsy, The Click Five, Goin' Nowhere, The Schmooze and The Refrigerators.

In addition to the live performances, the event included raffles for numerous prizes, and the premiere of a new 15 track CD, Fridge-Benefits-II featuring original cuts from local artists as well as songs submitted by the three winners of this year's original song-writing contest and recorded by The Refrigerators.

First formed in 1992, The Refrigerators have become one of the most sought after bands to ever hit the Northeast music circuit. They have been voted "Best Band" several times by the readers of both the Times Union Preview and the Metroland Magazine. The band infuse funk, rock, and R&B with a pumping rhythm section, powerhouse horn section, ferocious guitar work, and intense vocals. The festival benefits the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center, to help fund vital medical care and research.

25th Anniversary Old Songs Festival - Folk, Traditional, Celtic and World Music and Dance

The twenty-fifth annual three day Old Songs Festival will be held on June 24-26, 2005 at the Altamont Fairgrounds. Since 1981, Old Songs has held a family-friendly acoustic festival of folk, traditional, Celtic and world music and dance.

Well known for the relaxed atmosphere, interactive sessions, workshops and jams, the festival provides a lot of hands-on experience with acoustic instruments such as fiddle, banjo, guitar, dulcimer, penny-whistle, bagpipes and participatory dance. There is an evening concert on Friday and Saturday, and an afternoon concert on Sunday in addition to the numerous workshops and classes given by the performers. Food vendors, instrument makers, and a juried craft show complete the festival weekend.

The twenty-fifth annual three day Old Songs Festival will be held on June 24-26, 2005 at the Altamont Fairgrounds.Over their 25 year history, Old Songs has been proud to provide a place for young people to experience and participate in many music and dance events. This year they celebrate the youth and young adults who have been faithful to acoustic music most of their lives. Don't miss the "Tree of Life Concert" on Sunday afternoon. A full schedule of events is available on the Festival's website.