The night so far had not impressed me, my beer being the only thing holding me to my seat, then the next band set up camp on stage. Omigod! What are they wearing? I thought to myself… Boiler suits from what I could tell. I was surprised that Tom (Lead singer/guitarist) didn't fall over - he's so small that the crutch had fallen down to his ankles!

Oh no, Not another disaster. 5 Monkey 12 sounded so disconnected, and were looking at each other as though lost. I couldn't hear any bass, and was Tom trying to sing or was he just getting passionate with his mic? However, after Simon gave the PA a few tweaks here and there the pieces fell together like a puzzle. My ears pricked up as the bass filled the room and the vocalist was most definitely heard by all in the venue that night. The music was buzzing 'round my body. I discovered this lot to be a very loud, fun band to see.

The 5 Monkey 12 sound? Hmm Well, they describe it as Mad Groove, Creatively gentle. Their influences include Satchel, Girls against boys and Tool. However, I would describe it as groovy, hip-hoppy rock.

There is one thing about this young bunch from Suffolk that really confuses me - their name: 5 Monkey 12! When I asked how they came up with such a bizarre name Simon Replied, saying ' I don't really remember… we were drunk and talking about monkeys, 12 monkeys. I'm not sure how it happened exactly but there were 5 of us in the band at the time and we were discussing 12 Monkeys. So, we decided to call ourselves 5 Monkey 12 and it hasn't changed since, even after losing a guitarist.'

Well, setting aside the strange name, this lot not only had a really cool sound but they also have the presence a band needs on stage in order to make a gig a great night!!! For a band that's only been around for a year and a half they're not doing badly for themselves, already having won the Virgin Megastore band competition back in 1998. Not bad for a new band, eh?

I asked 5 Monkey 12 what ambitions they have. Jesse replied 'To throw TV's out of Hotel Windows', whilst Simon added 'To enjoy what we're doing now'.

When I asked the band about any humorous disasters they thought long and hard, deciding that their band isn't very funny. How dull! However, they did mention later that Tom had once fallen off stage during a gig. If you've seen Tom in a boiler suit with the crutch down to his ankles and you've seen what he's like on stage you'll probably understand when I say did he trip up on one of the leads or his boiler suit? Off stage, that is.

Nevertheless, if you fancy a night of bouncy rock this is the band to see, so check out the gig guide… Oh! Did I mention that 5 Monkey 12 are coming to Oulton Broads with their groovy tunes at the KlubKat Plug and Play night on Wednesday 1st September. They will be playing with Moonjuice… a night not to be missed. Good luck chaps, I enjoyed the interview. See you soon!

Photo Provided by 5 Monkey 12
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