Monkeeman
Lo-fi Against Low Lifes
After three releases in 2005, 2007 and 2009 Monkeeman took a longer pause and are now back with a 12-song album flavoured with authentic British Powerpop and influences of Mod-Rock. Four of the songs were recorded as live takes at the Freudenhaus Studios in Berlin by Patrik Majer. The rest of the album was recorded by the Monkeeman himself, Ralf L in his own studio, "The Monkee Cage" in Wilhelmshaven. The album was mastered by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering (USA). L has had a solid career as a musician in Germany but always wanted to play with a band from the UK or Ireland as all of his major influences are from that part of the world. It was a brave step for him then to fly over to Belfast to find new band members. Belfast however, and the whole of Ireland have numerous great musicians and bands and a great music culture. The four Monkeemen grew up listening to bands like The Jam, The Clash, The Who, The Small Faces and so on and from their younger days as teenagers they believed in bands with attitude with songs and lyrics reflecting on the lives of working class people. Political songs like Dropping bombs on the parliament" reflect their determined opposition against uncontrolled, rampant capitalism, bankers and corrupt politicians. Indeed, the whole album challenges the very abuse of power in modern capitalistic societies and how working people struggle to survive in a world of unrelenting greed and lack of choice in political parties across the spectrum