Histories
Gods Monkey
'Crashingly loud' The Scotsman
Gods Monkey could, indeed, be 'crashingly loud'. They could also be
delicate and melancholy. Whatever the sound, they were never anything less
than determined to write and play the sort of music they wanted to hear.
Formed in the early nineties as a recording project, founder members
Ken Campbell, Fraser Wood and Stuart Kennedy (all guitars with Campbell on vox) recruited
drummer Jaff and bassist Peter Johnstone to put together A Burning
Ambition, their six-track debut EP. Influences were many and varied -
David Sylvian, Al Stewart, Dire Straits, Rush & Steve Hackett to name a
few.
With a favourable response to the recording it was decided to put the band
on a permanent - and live - footing, playing gigs to raise funds for future
recordings. This increased commitment didn't work for Stuart, who left
around '96. The choice was made to enhance the sound and Lynne
Mitchell (later Campbell) was recruited on vocals, keyboards and flute.
The following album - Holding Court - was a leap forward in songwriting and
production. In terms of sales, this would be the band's most successful
output. Refused column inches for being 'too much like Jethro Tull' they
took such criticism in the spirit it wasn't intended and continued their
grueling live schedule.
The third and final album, Milton's Angel was published in 1999 and
shows a tighter writing style as the band sought to simplify and deliver a
more accessable sound. About this time they would play their most
successful shows, supporting Eat Rice (at The Bongo Club) and Spear
of Destiny (at The Venue). They would also provide the music for the
sell out Edinburgh Fringe show The Brothers Angelo. |
