Firstly, a big big thank you to Lea for taking the time to transcribe the 100 Monkeys interview with Nardwuar. Bear with us here and we shall have it translated into Spanish, French and German shortly!
Nardwuar: Who are you? Jackson: Uh…We are 100monkeys. N: Actually, Jackson, I should probably say: Can you do Disney 411 intro of your bandmates?
(generally “Oh no you di’int!” sounds coming from the rest of the band off-camera) J: (in excited, high pitched voice) Hi, this is Jackson, and we’re here with 100monkeys! We got..We got Jerad Anderson, and Ben Graupner, and…and…Uncle Larry…and we have Ben Johnson here! Oh my God, we’re with Nardwuar! Wow!
— N: You guys are the 100monkeys in Vancouver, British Columbia
*points mic at Jackson* J: …100 monkeys! N:…Canada! And you love, your band – you love Daniel Johnston don’t you… J: Yeah, we love Daniel Johnston, he’s a huge influence. And actually, I got to see a Daniel Johnston show, like uh…he performed here a couple of nights ago, so I got to go see that, it was amazing, man..watching him perform live..like, that man puts his heart on his sleeve. N: What can you tell the people about Daniel Johnston? *points mic at Ben J* Ben J: What’s that? N: What can you tell the people about Daniel Johnston? Ben J: Oh, he’s just an incredible songwriter. He’s probably one of the best songwriters alive today, I think. Ben G: He’s an artist as well, his graphics, his visual art that he draws is just absolutely amazing N: And Daniel Johnston has a message for you! J: *looks shocked* He does?! N: Yes. *gestures to laptop* Crowd around here, 100monkeys, we have a message right here for 100monkeys…by…Daniel Johnston..here it comes right now, this is Daniel Johnston’s message to 100monkeys.
Daniel Johnston: Hi, this is Daniel Johnston for the 100monkeys…Could you please do one of my songs-
*Jackson gasps*
Daniel Johnston(cont)-I’d really appreciate it, I hope you have a hit, and we’ll all be rich. Thank you.
Jackson: Oh..I…YES. Just got a blessing from Daniel Johnston to do one of his songs…
— N: Daniel Johnston! J: That was…one of the most amazing messages I think 100monkeys has ever received, uh…thank you do much Daniel, we’d love to do one of your songs- Ben G: Walking the Cow, Walking the Cow. Jerad: We’re going to work on it today. N: And you can both get rich on it! J: Oh, we’d love it, we’d love it…Especially Daniel. Jerad: Because it’s definitely not about the music.
*nervous giggles* Jerad: *laughs* I’m just kidding.
—- N: 100monkeys, you played the Rio Theatre. *holds mic out to Jerad*
Jerad: …That is correct. N: …And you guys cause RPattz to piss in a cup! *holds mic out to Jackson* J: …….. N: Yes! Robert Pattinson, pissed in a cup! *holds mic out to Ben G* Ben G: Wh….Which?! N: The Beatlemania that was happening when the 100monkeys were playing the Rio Theatre – it was a pretty crazy show, wasn’t it – *holds mic out to Ben J* Ben J: It was a pretty crazy show. N: In Vancouver, and it caused Robert Pattinson, who is backstage checking you guys out- Ben G: I thought, I thought that was some kind of expression, like, for the police coming, like “RPattz pissed in a cup” was “The cops got upset.” N: No! Ben G: In a cup, ‘cos there was so many people there? N: The gig was going great, it was a great gig, wasn’t it. *holds mic out to Jerad* Jerad: It was, and you sold it on ebay, because I bought it. N: You did buy it! Jerad: I did. N: I thought he left a gift for you! Jerad: No – YOU sold it to ME- N: I didn’t sell anything!
*Jerad looks confused* N: But I just thought it was incredible Jackson, to have such an incredible Beatlemaniac following that poor RPattz has to piss in a cup-why does he have to piss in a cup? *holds mic out to Jackson* J: …..sometimes pissing in a bottle is difficult… N: The reason he had to piss in a cup was becuause he couldn’t go to the washroom, the washrooms were completely packed with the crowds! *holds mic out to Jackson* Jackson:…heh… N: And the crowds wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for the…*holds mic out to Ben G* Ben G:..100 monkeys… N: Yes! So, indirectly, the 100monkeys caused RPattz to piss into a….*holds mic out to Jackson* Ben: …Cup! Yes!! J: I feel like we’re winning a contest right now…
—- N: Jackson, you’re also into the band Islands, aren’t you? J: Yeah! I love the Islands! And they were, uh…first The Unicorns N: And they’re known for the song you love…*holds mic out to Jackson* J: Which one? There’s so many, like Don’t Call Me Whitney Bobby, uh..Rough Gem, uh…Evil Creeper, that’s a great song..I Was Born a Unicorn is still my favourite song…’I was born a unicorn, a unicorn…” N: And Jackson, Nick from the Unicorns has a message for you! Right here!
— N: Here’s a message from Nick of Islands, to 100monkeys. J: Excellent.
– Nick from Islands: Hey 100monkeys, it’s Nick from Islands, Nardwuar asked me to send you a video saying what’s up, uh…um…he mentioned you guys were fans of Corey Haim, vampires, Don’t Call Me Whitney Bobby, the Islands song…um…Nardwar likes trivia, so…I figured I’d unload a little bit of trivia about those things, so – Don’t Call Me Whitney Bobby is a reference to Sly Stone, a Sly Stone song, and to Whitney Huston and Bobby Brown, obviously…and, um…I made a movie with Corey Haim when I was in film school in Canada, by crank-calling his uncle and convincing him to act in the film. Which, uh…did not go very well. Mostly because he was…I don’t know how to say this without sounding libelous…it didn’t work. But he was fairly terrible about it, and I was too, I was young, and if you see him maybe you should ask him if he remembers me…probably not. Anyway, enjoy Vancouver, and say what’s up to Nardwuar for me.
— Jerad: S’up Nardwuar? Jackson: What’s up, Nardwuar? N: Nick from Islands! Daniel Johnston! Welcoming the 100monkeys to Vancouver! Jerad: I love you! N: We love the 100monkeys! Thank you for helping generate all these amazing connections to your band – Islands! Daniel Johnston! Jackson: That’s amazing, thank you much, I mean…hey, uh, we just came into town to record some music, mix an album, play some shows, we never imagined that we would get such illustrious performers such as Daniel Johnston, and Nick from the Islands, that’s amazing.
—- N: I have a list for you, 100monkeys. At number 5, we have Chris Martin. *holds mic out to Jerad* J: … N: At number 4, we have Tori Amos. *holds mic out to Jackson* J: *nods* N: At number 3, we have Justin Timberlake. *holds mic out to Uncle Larry* UL: ..’kay. N: At number 2, we have Jackson….*holds mic out to Jackson* Jerad: …Smith. N: Rathbone. J: Oh! I thought you were going to say Jackson Brown. N: And at number 1…*holds mic out to Ben G* Ben G: …I don’t know… N: We have Ben… Ben G: Graupner? N: Ben Graupner!! *holds mic out to Ben G* Ben G: …What’s it a list of? N: You’re number 1! Yay! Ben G: Yay! N: Look who you beat out – Chris Martin, Tori Amos, Justin Timberlake, Jackson huurrrrRathbone, in Top 10 Hands as written by Willow Raine. Ben G: ….. Jerad: Lemme see your hands N: Top 10 Hands! Can we do a comparison there, Jackson, like the hands? He beat you out! Top 10 Hand! Ben G: I really have more hand than you…. Jerad: That’s what it is Ben G: On the size scale…You got the thumb thing… Jackson: Yeah, I got the thumb thing, that’s weird. That doesn’t give me any cred, the thumb? Ben G: They gave me, like, a hand award? N: Willow Raine, gave that to you. You’re number one, on a hand award! Ben G: Willow Raine, thank you very much. N: What I think is interesting, you guys have played a few TwiCons, haven’t you? Jackson: We have, we have. N: The woman who played the hands of the…*holds mic out to Ben G* Jerad: book. N: of the book, was at one of those- Ben G: Oh!! I met her, she was cool! N: Her name is Kimbra! Ben G: Kimbra…I remember meeting her, she was like “I was the hand model for Twilight!” I was like, “That’s so bizarre and weird.” *grins* N: And did she charge you 20 dollars for a photo? Ben G: *laughs* No, no…
—- N: *hands picture frame to Jackson* Here we have your co-star Kristen Stewart, and what punk t-shirt is she wearing? Jackson:…Minor Threat! N: Minor Threat, a hardcore band t-shirt! *holds mic out to Ben G* Ben G: Oh, right! You do your research! N: What does Kristen taste like, Jackson? J: That is an inappropriate question, Nardwuar. N: Her blood! You drink her blood in the movie! J: I don’t drink her blood in the movie…I try to, but I don’t get it! I miss. Don’t quite make it. Jerad: Here’s the neck…*mimes biting near a neck* Miss. Jackson: Near, near miss. N: Jackson, in the movie do you wear a wig? Jackson: Uh, in the first one – no, in the second two, yes. N: And was it because you did some movie in GreenLand? Jackson: *laughs at pronunciation of Greenland* Yeah, yeah, I did a movie called The Last Airbender with M. Night. Shyamalan, and uh, I had to get this crazy haircut where I shaved up the sides, you know, doing the whole punk thing…I could rock the Casbah now – check it out, I’m The Clash… N: No, exactly! Who you are is Varg! You are gonna be Varg, and I have a gift for you! *hands large gift to Jackson* J: Oh man, this is amazing!! N: What do we have there, can you please explain? J: This is, this is Burzum anthology, oh my God… N: You are going to be, for the people that don’t know, Jackson is going to be playing this gentleman- Jackson: Actually, I gotta break the news, I’m not actually going to be playing this gentleman anymore, the dates ended up falling through, I’ve been pursuing this role for two and a half years, and the dates just didn’t end up lining up…unless the movie gets pushed to next year… N: It’s the Lords of Chaos movie that they’re hoping to shoot *hands Lords of Chaos book to Jerad* for the movie Lords of Chaos. You were gonna play good old Varg J: Man, Varg is amazing, I’ve read a lot of interviews with him, and the guy’s just a really smart, smart man, makes great music and, um, I like black metal but I love his music probably the- N: Well this is a gift from me to you Jackson! J: Well thank you Nardwuar! *they shake hands* N: And if you open it up, look, it’s the Anthology! It’s the Burzum anthology with the story! Jackson: Oh my gosh…
— N: Well, thanks much 100monkeys, keep rockin’ in the free world, aaand..Do Doodle-Oo-Do…. *holds mic out to Jackson* Jackson: Do-do!
The world has already encountered The Monkees, Iron Monkey, Monkey Bone, 12 Monkeys, Monkey Business, The Curse of Monkey Island, The Arctic Monkeys and ton of other primate collaborations, but never before has the world encountered something quite like 100 Monkeys.
The Los Angeles-based band, comprised of Ben Graupner, Jackson Rathbone (from the Twilight movie saga), Jerad Anderson, Ben Johnson and Uncle Larry, will be performing in Vancouver on Sept. 12 at the Rickshaw Theater. Will be it an event of tree swinging proportions? Can you afford to monkey around? Drop that banana and find out.
RockStar Weekly had a chance to talk to the entire band about coming to Vancouver, how they originally got together, and who really wears that banana suit (I know there’s a monkey in a banana suit joke in there somewhere).
We also couldn’t resists talking to Jackson about his new flick Twilight “New Moon”, the second tale in the Twilight saga, which hits theatres this November. We also broke the ice about his lead role in the 2010 epic The Last Airbender, the new film from director M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Signs).
Do you want to win a trip to see 100 Monkeys play live?
Want to meet Ben Graupner, Ben Johnson, Jackson Rathbone, Jerad Anderson, and Uncle Larry?
Here is your chance!! ASCC Now is running a contest for the best fan art. Go to http://www.spencerbellmemorial.com and listen to Spencer Bell’s amazing music. Create an original piece of art based on one of Spencer Bell’s songs. Send that art in with the application you can find onwww.asccnow.comand a $25 application fee.
The top ten finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges and displayed on this site. Popular vote will determine the winner. The winner will receive roundtrip airfare and a ticket to attend one of the 100 Monkey concerts in November (TBD).
Contest is limited to US residents only. Contest is now open! Go to http://www.asccnow.com for details.
And……There is also a contest for overseas fans to win 100 Monkeys Merch too!
Want to win some unique items signed by 100 Monkeys?
Want 100 Monkeys to see your artwork?
Here is your chance!! ASCC Now is running a contest for the best fan art. Go to http://www.spencerbellmemorial.com and listen to Spencer Bell’s amazing music. Create an original piece of art based on one of Spencer Bell’s songs. Send that art in with the application you can find on www.asccnow.com and a $10 application fee. The top ten finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges and displayed on this site. Popular vote will determine the winner. The winner will receive a gift basket of Spencer Bell and autographed 100 Monkeys items and a personalized thank you card.
Contest is limited to non-US residents only. Contest is now open! Go to http://www.asccnow.com/ for details.
Not only did Theresa provide us with some amazing photos from Lucky Strike, she has also written this review of her experience from the Spencer Bell Legacy Show to share with everyone! Thanks T!
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The Spencer Bell Legacy Shows were AMAZING. And when I say amazing, I mean these shows truly topped the show I got to experience in February.
The whole afternoon started around two when the doors opened. It was nice to be back in Callahan’s knowing the treat we were about to get, but not knowing how special an event it was going to be.
First and foremost, Bill Bell came out do the amazing introduction, and welcome everyone and thank us all for attending the event to celebrate the life of his son, Spencer.
Next came Johanna and Shannon to talk to us about the wonderful raffles that were being held to raise money for the legacy and things of that nature.
Next came the wonderful and saddening Tourist Tribute to Spencer Bell. It’s a beautiful video that will leave not a dry eye in the house.
Then came the most wonderful band I’ve seen to date (sorry my 100 Monkeys, I do love you, but I think these guys stole my heart.) The Stevedores took the stage and the whole show blew me away. I’ve owned a copy of Tamuawok for quite sometime now, but nothing I could ever dream of could have prepared me for the show that those four men put on for us. They played a variety of songs from Advice to Thunderdome, Fearful to Hardwired, Top Hat Big Hands to I Heard It On The Radio. I was blown away by their set.
Up next came The Tin Tin Can. A wonderful set which included Animal Bones and Arkansas among others. As well as Billy Jean, by Spencer Bell, a beautiful cover that rocked as much as the original. They are truly an amazing group worth checking out.
Next we were all treated to a short set done by Dan Graupner (Aka Mr. Orson Brawl). He played three songs, including a song in the works called Little French Shoes, and told us short but cute stories of his times with Spencer. A wonderful addition to the wonderful music.
Last but not least came the 100 Monkeys. They rocked it nice like with a very energized set with songs ranging from Ugly Girl to Looker and Smoke to Arizona, and a hauntingly beautiful cover of Spencer Bell’s Violin. And no Monkey set would be complete without The Monkey Song.
The guys wrapped their set and Mr. Bell very kindly asked everyone to take a place in line to give them a chance to straighten up the bar a little and have a short break before the next set.
The second show was as amazing as the first if not better. Actually I will say it was better. While we were treated with another healthy dose of the Stevedores, Dan Graupner, The Tin Tin Can and the 100 Monkeys, we were also treated to some Drew and The Medicinal Pen. Fantastic band. Seriously. Their amazing set was wrapped with an awesome and quite tearful rendition of Spencer Bell’s Dandelions. Seriously AMAZING!
On top to the wonderful musical styling of Drew, we got to participate in a lovely toast done by all the bands as well as an extended version of Thunderdome after the 100 Monkeys set was complete. An amazing thing to watch, all of Spencer’s friends and family rockin out on stage to an amazing song.
Lucky Strike the next afternoon was a continuation of showing the love to Spencer, as we were all very excited to see Drew, The Stevedores and the 100 Monkeys again.
I will give mad love where it is due, when I say Ben Johnson made this weekend of shows amazing. Please don’t get me wrong when I say that every band that we got to see was amazing, but the man played 6 sets in two days time. I’m amazed he was still standing to play The Monkey Song at the end of the Lucky Strike set. His voice was gone, but to be able to sing that song back to them, and when I say them, I mean to the guys in all the bands as well as Spencer’s friends that were in attendance, is a moment I will never forget. As is the awesome improve done by Jerad and Dan, and Jerad taking lead vocals on an awesome rendition on Thank You.
My highlights of the whole weekend? Really meeting the Bells, Top Hat Big Hands and I Heard It On The Radio Station, Arkansas and Billy Jean, Dandelions, An improv about some chick named Theresa, stories about Spencer, Little Black Dog, Thank You (which can never be said enough), and seeing many old friends, and making many new friends. Seeing the bond that one person can build even in death, and the love for that one person from friends and family and strangers.
A big thank you to Becky for taking the time to write this awesome review of her time in Dallas and to share her experience with everyone about the 100 Monkeys shows!
Hmm Monkey shows….here I was at a Twilight convention and the only thing on my mind? Monkey shows!! I was excited to be able to attend the guys performance at TwiCon. Knowing many of those in attendance would only be there because of Jackson it did my heart good to see how many Monkeys fans came out for the guys’ CD signing earlier in the day, sans Jackson. Yes some “fans” left but so many more stayed! The guys were all smiles when Johanna, Shelby, Debbie, new Monkey Fan Kim, and I got to the table! And I think I shocked Jerad a little – “Becky! You made it!” were the first words out of his mouth when he saw me.
So on to the show. Debbie and I did our thing for the Memorial while in line for the show. We found a lot of Junkies were among those that had never been to a show before which made us happy. So great to see the Junkie Nation out in force! After the usual long wait (we sat down in line around 5pm…doors opened at 830pm.) We were in! And to the front of the stage we went, to discover the “Volturi” Apparently those running the Con assumed there would be a crush to the stage once Jackson came on so they were a barrier between the fans and the stage. That’s something I’d never seen before. This must be a big show.
Estimates range from 700 to 1000 people descended on the ballroom that night to see the guys play. WOW. And the guys LOVED IT. There was a real energy about the crowd that night. We were treated to the Monkey Song complete with the rap, Smoke, Ugly Girl, Wasteland Too, and a newer version of Wings On Fire, with more accapella harmonies and Graupner playing airplane and flying around the huge stage. Jackson had a great time hoping around the drum stand and shaking it! LOL No improv for this crowd though.
After their set at the Con was over, the party moved to Poor David’s Pub. This is more like a normal Monkey venue – packed with people, a smaller space and stage. The bands felt right at home. TNR rocked it again with their set, though thankfully at both the Con show and PDP Jeremiah decided to keep those pants up!
It almost seemed like we’d had an intermission on the guys show – once they hit the stage it was as if no time had passed and they went right back to rocking the house. It was another all ages crowd but there were not as many younger fans in attendance, presumably due to the late hour. The guys didn’t start playing till about 12am.
Here we got a few more songs and some repeats, but that is never a bad thing with the Monkeys! Ugly Girl, Thank You Song, and an amazing Orson Brawl sung by Graupner! That had to be the best I have ever heard that song performed! Much to the delight of the crowd, Scott the Scientist was in attendance and joined the band on stage for an awesome rap. Graupner treated us to a Cover of the Rolling Stone’s Champagne and Reefer. We also had not one but two improvs at PDP – the first was Hot Dogs and the second was suggested by Jungle members Nikki and Franny in honor of another Jungle member, Holly. Holly was wonderful! Jackson to a cue from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s and went with that as the theme for the song. Some sample lyrics –
Yes, I know you like all the finer things,
Sparkling necklaces and diamond rings
But I can only afford to bring you what an artist can bring!
A little love a little… company!
You know that’s my Holly girl…
she’ll deck the halls of the whole wide world
She is my Holly… girl…
She can deck the halls of this whole wide world
My little Holly… go… lightly
During one song Jerad really let loose on Annabelle. He was really feeling the vibe of the crowd and he just let it fly! Astounding! The end of the PDP show was a beautiful Ben Johnson singing Spencer Bell’s Twenty to One. Amazing to see that man perform and see him so intense and focused on the music.
Saturday held the Monkey’s other major show – the Palladium. Before hand they held a CD signing for the fans with many of the Twilighters in town in attendance. The band was gracious as always with the fans and there are reports Jackson was wearing a monkey on his hat? Oh to have been that monkey!
This was a huge venue. Big rock star stage, lights, smoke. Perfect place for the guys to let loose. They opened with the revamped Wings on Fire with Graupner once again flying around the stage, taking advantage of the wide open space. Fan faves Ugly Girl, Monkey Song, this time with the rap sung with a little assistance by the crowd, Smoke, and Grocery Store Song with No More were all performed. The band was joined on stage at this concert by the Stevedores Shawn Fernando, mostly backing up Uncle Larry but also hitting the keyboards and the glockenspiel. The last song brought TNR back onstage for Graupner signing Champagne and Reefer.
Well we THOUGHT that was the last song….but the guys being the cheeky monkeys they are did an encore! New Monkey trick! After a little bit of a wait, with the guys came back out for an encore of Junkie for the lucky few that had actually stayed or were slow to leave. The weekend was just one great monkeyparty! They guys really rocked the shows and seemed to have a better time than usual up there on stage delighting the crowd. I am very glad I was able to get to Dallas to engage in all the Monkey activates – 2 CD signings, 3 shows, and getting to hang out at the Monkey’s merch table with Lydia, Heather, Vi, and Tim telling everyone about this amazing group of guys called 100 Monkeys!
News direct from the Mouths of Monkeys (a.k.a the bands myspace page) reveals that the guys are playing a third show in Dallas @ The Palladium on 1st August.
This show is to celebrate the release of the bands new live album ‘The Creative Control Sessions’. Everyone who attends the show will get a free copy of the new C.D!
When we were growing up, we thought ten little monkeys could get themselves into enough trouble for all of us…jumping on the bed and whatnot.
But now there’s 100 Monkeys, and they’re just as impulsive and unpredictable. The West Coast band comprised of Jacksone Rathbone (a.k.a. Jasper Hale of the “Twilight” saga), Ben Graupner, Ben Johnson, and Jared Anderson has found success across the country with their unique improv style of music.
Categorized on their MySpace page as a combination of “Japanese classic music, 2-step, psychobilly” which may be good enough or equally perplexing descriptors as any, the 100 Monkeys are currently touring throughout the summer with their debut CD Monster De Lux.
Just listen for the shouted deluge of audience improv suggestions or follow the trail of over-excited, collapsed Twi-hards, and you’ll be sure to find them.
Meanwhile, StarShine caged the jovial, bantering Monkeys (sans Ben J.) for an exclusive interview in which they discuss stage life, Twilight mania, obscure global theorems, and humpback whales.
What’s the origin of the 100 Monkeys?
Jackson: The 100 Monkeys started with Ben G. and I–like 3 years ago–whenever he moved to L.A. We were roommates back in high school. We knew Ben J. back then, and we started the band as a two-man group just doing improv music and trying to get Ben J. out to Los Angeles to make some music with us. Along the way, we happened to meet up with Jared Anderson who we would jam with all the time. Now we all are together in harmony. It’s fantastic.
Ben G: It’s like an MTV reality show.
Would you ever do one of those?
Jackson: No, that would make even more drama out of what little drama there is.
Jerad: If it was a Discovery Channel reality show, yes.
Speaking of the Discovery Channel, why did you choose to name the band after “The Hundredth Monkey Effect,” which per your MySpace page, “generally describes the instant, paranormal spreading of an idea or ability to the remainder of a population once a certain portion of that population has heard of the new idea or learned the new ability”?
Jackson: That was one part of it, and [that idea] if you get 100 monkeys in the room with 100 typewriters, eventually they’ll create the works of Shakespeare. (See: Infinite Monkey Theorem) It’s the certain style of music we make and the music we write.
If you came up with your own Monkey Effect, what idea would you like to impart on society?
Ben G: Wow!
Jackson: We’re really trying to get people into the Spencer Bell Memorial. It’s a benefit for adrenal cancer research and our friend Spencer Bell, who was our greatest influence in all of our music. He passed away about three years ago, so we’re just working, trying to keep his memory alive and keep his music out to the masses. We were able to raise money to put out one of his albums, and we have 3 more because of the fan support that we’ve been getting. It’s just incredible.
Why have you chosen to use improv in your music?
Jerad: I think because we started as actors, most of us, minus Ben J. Improv is part of acting, so we all love doing it. We play well off each other, and we do take straight-up audience suggestions and make up a song on the spot, even all the instrumental parts.
Just then, the sound of piano keys interrupts his thought as the boys chime in, singing and playing notes, “It’s a song that we’re singing for the very first time…” Over just as soon as it started, they jump back on the interview train -
Jackson: See, genius! Where inspiration takes you, it takes you hard. If you take the drummer and the drummer starts playing bass and the singer starts singing backup vocals, you find a whole new bunch of stuff in the music that you might not find if you didn’t allow yourself the freedom to change the lyrics once in a while or completely make up a song.
Jerad: It’s called the 100 Monkeys Switcheroo.
Ben G: We increase each other’s talents.
Jackson: We all come from different backgrounds and ways of learning music. It’s really interesting, and it’s really cool to have that diversity ‘cause when it comes together, it creates this union of –
Jerad: – magic. A union of magic.
Jackson: Sometimes it sounds awful…but still magic. Sometimes it sounds good. (laughs)
Can everyone play all of the instruments?
Ben G: Not yet, but almost. People have their strengths. Everybody specializes I think in probably two things.
Jackson: We wanna give the audience a show. We love our fans. We love performing, and we feel that when you come to our show, you’re gonna get to hear a song that’s never going to be played live again. People always come up to us at the end of shows requesting other improv songs.
Jerad: I actually feel like we owe it to ‘em after a while because they’re like demanding, and I’m like, “I don’t know how!” I’m like, “Let’s just suck it up and learn it!”
Given that three out of the four of you are also actors, do you have a preference between music and acting?
Jackson: I wanna have my cake and eat it too. I wanna do both. I think the way we figure it, it feeds both sides of the creative process.
To feed the elephant in the room, Jackson, can you tease anything about “New Moon” for the yearning “Twilight” fans out there?
Jackson: It’s gonna be raging…action-packed, more steamy romance. You get to see a lot more crazy stuff happening. We went deeper into the world now, and it’s gonna be a fun thrill ride for everyone.
Also, filming recently wrapped in Pennsylvania for M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Last Airbender.” What was that experience like, Jackson?
Jackson: It’s been incredible, a great set. I really believe we’re making a film that’s going to be epic. It’s gonna move people. I think the movie’s gonna turn out beautiful.
The 100 Monkeys have performed with Rob Pattinson in the past. Any chance that’ll be a recurring collaboration?
Jackson: Well, I mean, Rob’s a busy guy…(laughs) We’ve had a few chances to play with him. He’s an awesome musician.
How has “Twilight” mania affected the band’s popularity?
Jackson: It’s definitely gotten us some attention, but I think the main thing is our lives shows. People get to –
Jerad: – escape into a fun land. Enjoy good music.
Jackson: Yeah, we like to have a good time. That’s what we’re always trying to do – play music for as many people as possible.
Jerad: Hopefully, they come in ready to rock out and have some fun. That’s all you can expect.
Ben G: If you scream loud enough, we’ll make up a song that you decide what it’s called. Things like guitar picks and sweat.
Jackson: We like to give things away a lot on stage.
Jerad: Sometimes we bring monkeys and throw them into the crowd.
Jackson: By the way, Ben J. is an adamant whale enthusiast. I know that if he were here, he would want to mention something about preserving the humpback whale in particular. Just figured I’d throw that in there.
One thing’s for certain, you’ll never know what the 100 Monkeys will say…in person…or on stage.
Tickets are now available for the Spencer Bell Legacy Project Concert. Performances by 100 Monkeys, Tin Tin Can, Stevedores and Drew and the Medicinal Pen.
You can purchase your tickets from Callahans’s for $15.00. When you buy tickets that there is a special package for sale: Ticket, Tee Shirt, Live & Wasted CD and a Cause bracelet for one lower price.
For those of you that are not able to attend the show in person, there will be a live feed that we will give more info on nearer the time.
