Monkey Junk
In my panic to see a few more bands, I happened upon the winners of the Indie Award for Best Blues Group/Band (beating out the likes of Jim Byrnes, Harrison Kennedy, Colin Linden and Colin James. I have grown up with the Blues, so this was a great honour for me. It’s wonderful to see the original style of music is alive and well in another generation, possibly even the kids of the people my parents used to party with. Monkey Junk have won multiple awards, with Steve Marriner winning male vocalist of the year and harmonica player of the year, and axeman Tony Diteodoro walking away with guitarist of the year at the Maple Blues Awards; not to mention placing in the top five at the International Blues awards in Memphis. I had a hard time accepting the absence of bass guitar within the rhythm section, but the music was still great. When the lead guitarist picked up the bass, I was home. There was no question in my mind that this band was worthy of their recent success and recognition. They add their unique flavour to the Blues that have take over hearts, souls and hormones of people the world over throughout history. My upbringing surrounded by blues musicians and music is something I will be eternally grateful for. Life isn’t complete without a dose of Blues, R n’ B, Boogie Woogie; music that lives in the soul of the creator until it is shared with a few people fortunate enough to be around. Monkey Junk’s first album “Tiger in Your Tank” has been met with rave reviews since it came out last spring, and the band is currently working on their much-anticipated second recording. Keep your eyes open for them, as the Ottawa-based band is currently touring our fair country from coast to coast. With nearly SIXTY years of combined experience playing the blues, live and in the studio, Steve Marriner, Tony D, and Matt Sobb are making sure the blues continue to thrive in Canada, and all over the world.
