Once again the lovely and super awesome, Susie, attended the last minute North Star Bar gig and provided us fellow Monkey Junkies with a great review and fantastic photos!

GALLERY LINK:
- June 18, 2009 – North Star Bar

North Star Bar – Philadelphia, PA – June 18, 2009

:::traveling back in time to June 17, 2009 – like noonish:::
The 100 Monkeys have added a show, tomorrow night – at the North Star Bar in Philadelphia.  Are they serious?  Do they think I have no life, and can just drop everything and run into Philadelphia for a show on a Thursday night!?!?!

::: Fast forward to June 18, 2009 – about 5:30ish:::

So, I load up the so-not-a-hybrid SUV, and my caravan of one – setting course once again into another interesting part of Philadelphia.  I am beginning to wonder if On-star keeps track of the places that I ask for directions to – because if they do, I am quite sure an AA sponsor will be showing up on my doorstep any time now, as the only places I have asked them to take me for the past month are bars!

Yes, it’s true – I have no life and on 24 hours notice I ended up at the North Star Bar to see the 100 Monkeys (again).  At least when I arrived I didn’t feel so pathetic for lacking any type of a social life that doesn’t involve these guys – the bar was already infested with Monkey junkies seeking a fix.  You gotta love a diehard – driving in from Maryland, Jersey, and little old me from Bucks County – we’ll always try our best to be there when the “monkey signal” goes up.  (Monkey signal: noun: email alerting monkey junkies to abandon their families and get their butts to the appropriate dive bar to jam out with the boys at the appointed time.  Similar to the bat signal – but way cooler.)

The North Star Bar is located on Poplar Street in Philly.  Appropriately enough it’s located very near the Philadelphia Zoo.  Monkeys – Zoo, get it?  (Go easy on my humor – I didn’t make it home until close to 3 a.m.!)  Comparatively, the North Star was pretty nice when put up against some of the other venues we’ve frequented while the 100 Monkeys have been on their East Coast tour.

The stage area was separate from the main bar, and sported an actual raised stage.  Roomy, and relatively cool when we arrived (sweaty, unbelievably hot when the 100 Monkeys played – not sure if it’s THEM or US, but the temperature goes up by about 30 degrees the second they hit the stage!).  There was a balcony overlooking the stage, and a dance floor area where most people stood.  Conveniently, there was a bar in this room as well – so you didn’t have to go back out into the main bar to get a drink.  Very nice – we liked this feature, and would like to request it at more venues.

There were three bands on the bill for the night before the 100 Monkeys.  The Lima Research Society, Splash One, and the Victor Victor Band.

The Lima Research Society was first up for the evening.  Much to our amusement and pleasure – most of their gear was covered in fake fur.  Yes, fake fur.  There sound was a bit of a techno-beat with a rather new age twist.  They interacted with the crowd – we followed someone’s dreams, and then we went up, then down, then down, then up – guess you had to be there.  Highlight of our time with the Lima Research Society, for being good through the first half of the set we were all given a treat!  (Seriously – I can’t make this stuff up!) They passed out juice boxes to the crowd – Apple Juice no less – which put every Monkey fan in the place that had been at Khyber for the all-ages show into hysterical laughter.  (Apple Juice was the Khyber all-ages improv.)  The whole issue of snack time mid-set did bring us all to question: why is it a total stranger band gives us treats, yet our precious 100 Monkeys – who we trudge through the back alleys of Philly for week after week – does not?  Oh Marty, we need to talk to you!!! Anyway – Lima Research Society was a lot of fun, and definitely a departure from the rock sounds we are used to hearing as the opening bands for 100 Monkeys.  You can check out their sound on Myspace and on You Tube.

After Lima Research Society broke down all their fuzzy, fur covered gear Splash One was up.  Splash One is flat out old school rock-n-roll.  Great sound, gritty vocals and just a nice nostalgic flashback to the sounds of Bob Seger and early Springsteen – yeah, I’m dating myself I know.  I hate to say “four-older guys”, but there really isn’t any other way to put it.  These are the guys who have probably been playing their music longer than a lot of Monkey fans have been alive – probably longer than the 100 Monkeys have been alive for sure!  The imagination didn’t have to wander far to see these guys in someone’s garage, beer in hand, having a major jam session.  I grew up surrounded by old school rock, so I really enjoyed Splash one.  Check them out on Myspace – Splash One Band.

Moving on up the list for the night, we move on to the Victor Victor Band.  Diversity abound at the North Star Bar last night, as this duo’s sound was neither techno, nor old school – but more of a metal beat.  With only two people on stage – one on guitar and one on drums – the show can often be a little boring, but these two made it exciting.   The sound was clean, the performance high energy, and over all – I was glad to have seen it.  You can check them out at www.victorvictorband.com or on Myspace.

Now, let’s see there was one more band on the schedule for the night…..who was it?  Oh yeah – the 100 Monkeys!!!!!!  Since I am writing this for JR Online – I figure I will toss the Jackson fangirls a little fun.  During the Victor Victor Band’s performance I turned from my little step/ seat to ask my friend a question, and noticed a rather attractive, fedora clad gentleman hanging out on the stairs watching the show.  For all you girls out there who want to know – yes, he is just as cute close up as he is in pictures.  Feel free to have your fangirl moments now.  I’ll wait.

Ready?  We shall continue…..

It was now after 11 p.m. and the 100 Monkeys began prepping for their set.  Jared came bounding up the steps behind me, and I had to do a double take.  Jared?  In a T-shirt and jeans?  What alternate universe is this that Jared isn’t dressed in his dapper best?  Wait a minute – Graupner’s in T-shirt and jeans too.  Something is amiss in Monkey-land, we shall get the story before this evening is over – I promise you!

Tonight the East Coasters were given yet another extra special treat – Uncle Larry was there with us!  I just love Uncle Larry!  First of all he has a charm that is all his own (watch out boys – Uncle Larry seems to have a larger crowd of adoring ladies than the four of you combined and mad skillz that keep them smiling!) – but beyond that he brings a musical element to the 100 Monkeys sound that just makes you think “this is the way it’s supposed to be”.

Once all the gear is set up – wait a minute – where is the rest of Ben J’s drums?  I guess with the addition of Uncle Larry to the remaining dates on the East Coast swing those little cars are getting a tiny bit cramped!  Doesn’t matter – Ben J can rock it on two buckets and trash can lid – and it would still sound awesome!

Let’s get this show on the road – we had a little random monkey blues for the sound check.  I love the way even the sound check is entertaining with the 100 Monkeys.

The night starts out with one of the new songs – “Reaper” – and moves on to a monkey classic “Poison Oak”.  Seems Mr. Graupner doesn’t have “the list” this evening – goes back to the monkey mystery of why Ben G and Jared have gone Friday casual on a Thursday.  (The mystery deepens.)  Some major banana dancing is going on in the crowd as Marty joined us for the better part of the night.  This was probably the first east coast show I’ve been to where we were able to really get on the floor and dance!  Many thanks to Marty for dancing his banana-self over several times to make sure I was getting the songs each time – I will admit, I get into the music and forget to keep track of things.

Moving along – on to yet another new song “No More”.  Monkey fans and even those of you not Monkey fans, get thee to You Tube and find “Reaper” and “No More”.  You will not be disappointed!  These two songs made their first appearance at Danger Danger – and they are unbelievable!  The vocals on “No More” are phenomenal.  Ben G and Jackson have a blended harmony that is so seamless you can’t tell where one’s voice begins and the other’s ends.  Ben G’s vocal range will never cease to amaze me.  (Yes, for all the grief I give Graupner I do have a ton of respect for his talent!)

We’re three songs into the set – do you know what time it is boys and girls?  Yes, it’s time for Jared to fulfill his self-proclaimed duty of making sure we’re having fun.  Yup – having the time of our life Jared…thanks for checking on us.

Next we’re on to “Ugly Girl” – always a crowd favorite.  Moving to the back of the stage we get to hear from Mr. Johnson for “Smoke”.  This song has evolved and morphed immensely over time, and Ben J simply nails it.  I give credit to anyone that can sing and play drums at the same time.  As the Monkey’s sound evolves the fans are really being treated to a much broader range of vocal skills from all of the guys, and it really is amazing.  A little “Wasteland Too” moves us into the “Thank You” song.  I happen to be a huge fan of the “Thank You” song – simply because Jackson always looks like he’s having fun with it.  Jackson asked for the crowd to “thank” the person next to us, and then a person we didn’t know – it was a monkey junkie love fest.

There is never a dull moment at a 100 Monkeys concert – and sometimes the strangest things seem to be discussed, brought up, or just randomly happen.  Some how – at the completely opposite side of the room from where I was (I really AM innocent this time!) it was suggested Ben G take off his pants.  What the heck was goin’ on over there?  No one panic, he kept his pants on but did show the audience a little ankle.  (For a moment I was scared Ben G was going to channel Jeremiah from TNR and we were going to see an appearance of tighty-whities….thank God for small miracles!)

Once the subject of the pants was squared away we moved on to “Arizona” – again always a loved classic!  Then we were treated to “38 Special” – what can I say…new song, premiered at Croc Rock – find it on You Tube because Jackson rocks this one, and it is wonderful!  The story from the band is this one was actually written at the kitchen table the night before Croc Rock.  Must have been an inspiring piece of dining furniture because this song is really great!  I seriously cannot wait for these guys to hit the studio (as much as I will miss them terribly here on the East Coast) and start laying down new tracks.

After that we got to watch a little gravity in action as Jared bounced his cell phone off the stage.  (You want a full review from me – you get one!)  Along with the phone there was a couple of drink tickets for the night, which he gave to audience members – prompting Jackson to do the same, but only if the recipient promised to tip the bar tenders well.  Yeah right – like anyone handed something that had previously resided in Jackson Rathbone’s front pocket was going to actually use it! (Trust me Jackson – as many trips as I made to that bar last night, and I don’t drink, those bartenders made out well – no worries.  Monkey fans DO tip our bartenders very, very well!)

Pump up the jam – rock those drums – it’s time for Orson Brawl!  Ben G once again did the honors.  The old school Jared/ Jackson sharing keys and guitar was switched up to a flying change between Jared and Jackson of lead and bass.  Monkeys move quick.   The most awesome thing about the 100 Monkeys – it’s never the same show twice.

Orson Brawl – shows over.  Everyone go home – drive safely.  Night night.

Wait a minute, did anyone else notice a problem with tonight’s set?  Take a moment – read back.  I’m patient.

Where the heck was the improv!  Luckily, we all have Jared to help us out when “some” Monkeys forget the important things in life!  Once Jared gently reminded his bandmates that we were gypped on the improv they start taking ideas from the audience – finally settling on “Blue Eyes”.  Ben J takes a moment to fix a few sound glitches with the bass, and Ben G decides that it’s time to start! (Impatient much there Ben?)  Sporting Jackson’s fedora that he had discarded earlier, he sets the pace and starts in on a beautifully  jazzy “Blue Eyes” improv.  (Stole Jackson’s hat and his song!)  This is the first time I have ever seen anyone but Jackson start the improv, and Ben G was SO channeling his inner blues it was AWESOME.  The guys seem to love their new trumpet – and the audience does too!

Okay, now the shows over folks.  Drive Safely – and good night.  Time to load up my so-not-a-hybrid SUV and caravan of one, crank up the tunes – and head back up to my neck of the woods.  Three guesses as to what I rocked out to for the 1.5 hour drive home……..

Spencer Bell of course.  (What?  I had just heard the 100 Monkeys!  I needed a change of pace.  Similar, yet different – check it out at www.SpencerBellMemorial.com . )

Why are you still reading?  Oh, the mystery of casual Friday on a Thursday is keeping you up at night?  Well, one little monkey claimed it was a “meeting” that had them running late and left them with no time to change, but another slightly taller monkey informed me that in fact monkeys are also parrot-heads, and had come sliding into the venue just in time for the set fresh from a Jimmy Buffet concert!!  Definitely couldn’t rock the top hat and tie at a Buffet concert – the casual attire is totally forgiven, and I hope you boys had fun!

Thanks again to Marty and the 100 Monkeys for all their love while they were here on the East Coast.  Special thanks to Marty for keeping me on track last night with the set list!

East Coasters – only two dates left – Clifton Park, NY and Lancaster, PA.  After that they *poof* off in the hybrid caravan to Texas for a little studio work.  Don’t miss the chance while you have it – go see the 100 Monkeys up close and personal.