by LRilea
Sunday, November 29, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA
A line of people curled back from the dark single door that marks the entrance to the Mint, long before the door was actually opened.
Fans were draped in grape vines, dressed as bunches of grapes and in the case of one stand out lady, dressed as a banana.
The official 100 Monkeys banana paraded around out front welcoming fans, and dancing for their amusement. (Watch for more banana vision videos on the bands’ Official YouTube page.)
Once the doors opened the banana stood by the front and passed out the first copies of the eagerly anticipated CD, Grape.
A meet and greet with the band followed. Jackson, Jerad, Ben G, Ben Johnson and Uncle Larry all cozy at a lounge table signing CD’s and other items, received gifts and displayed a wonderful excess of friendliness in the face of the excited fans.
In due course, the band stepped away from their table and disappeared for a brief break before stepping on stage.
In former (and long distant) reviews I’ve written for shows at 24K Lounge, I had detailed information related to each song they played what order they were played in, and how each sounded.
As my duties at the shows have changed, I no longer find myself the bearer of a notebook and pen, therefore I can’t tell you what order the songs were in. I will mention that they played most of the songs found on the new CD. I hope you will forgive my comparative lack of detail.
They began the afternoon with song #1 on the CD, Clippity Clop. It’s just the happiest, most upbeat tune. The bittersweet story the lyrics tell is sort of lost in the general feeling of well-being the tune itself conveys.
They included live show favorites such as; “Arizona”, “Junkie”, “The Monkey Song”, “Sweet Face”, “Orson Brawl”, “Wasteland Two”, and “Ugly Girl” all of which are on one of their CD’s or another, as well as “Smoke” and “Thank You”. They ended the show with the popular song, “Keep Awake”.
I have the happy luck to be able to compare 100 Monkeys as I first saw them, just a little over a year ago, to the band as it sounds now. Though nothing in the energy of every show has changed one bit, their sound has undergone a revolution of change. They began like the warm up of an orchestra; beautiful instruments whose sound were all being honed by their masters. These days, the symphony has begun and I hope its a long, successful and productive one.
The switcheroo moves on, as does the banana, the band and of course the fans. And what beautiful music all make, together.
Thank you to the Mint for providing a venue with great sound, courteous assistance, and a place of contented reunion for an early Sunday afternoon.
Thank you to the man who thanks the audience, but who asks for no thanks in return, Jackson Rathbone. Thank you to Ben Graupner, Ben Johnson, “Uncle Larry” Abrams, Jerad Anderson, Marty Lawson, Scott “The Scientist” Coslett, Will Schmidt and Dan Graupner.
The show is only as good as the team who puts it together. Fantastic show boys!
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Liquid Zoo
Every Monkey Dookies
Bleeding Horse Express
Thanks for the lovely review LRilea, it made me smile that the fans had a great time at the Mint. I can’t wait for the 100 Monkeys to come to Texas on their 100-city tour!