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One Suspicious Monkey

Artsin saw One Suspicious Monkey for the first time when they won Laid Bear - the battle of the bands competition - at the Polar Bear, on 7th March 2011. We said: " The band's compelling mix of spanish, celtic and funky sounds were blended into a tantalising cocktail of original sounds, led by the characteristic vocals of Georgio Maroder."

What we heard from the band on the night was a remarkable set of highly original music. Their on stage performance was sparkling and they filled the room with infectiously ear pleasing music. It was just good to hear something different and we were enthralled by the creativity of their songs.

We asked the band a few questions; here's what they told us:

Artsin: Who is in the band and what instruments to they play?

OSM: Juan Suspicious Monkey on Spanish guitar, Georgio Maroder sings and attempts with all his heart to play rhythm guitar, Red is the talented one that sings and blows things and El Hombre Del Bongo is, well, the dude with the drum.

Artsin: Where do the band members live?

OSM: Most of us are Leicester based but Georgio is a Nottingham boy.

Artsin: When did the band get together?

OSM: About one to two years ago, but has only been in it's current incarnation for about six months or so.

Artsin: When the band play its first gig? How did it go?

OSM: Back then it was very different, it was just Georgio and Juan and we were a comedy band. Georgio was dressed as a giant banana reciting beat poems about chavs and Juan was a giant goth clown, looking back juan hasn't changed much.

Artsin: What style of music does the band play?

OSM: It's a mix of flamenco, folk, celtic. It's changing all the time. People struggle to describe it, we've had 'flamenco folk', 'evil spanish folk', 'power folk', 'celtic rocky flamenco stuff' ... it's pretty folksy, we tend to take influence from folk music from as many places as we can.

Artsin: Can you point to any influences on the band's musical style, such as other bands whose music the band really likes?

Georgio: For me them main ones are Show of Hands for the musicality and lyrical skill, being able to point out normal things and not only make them interesting but meaningful as well and Mars Volta. Not only for their stage presence, being able to let themselves go but also how their music sounds like a complete mess when in reality its a very tight and well rehearsed piece.

Juan: Personally Spanish artists such as Pata Negra, Triana, Muchachito Bombo Infierno, Kiko Veneno, classical guitarists, Paco De Lucia especially, but also people like John Williams, Studied Andre Segovia a lot when I was young. There's some metal influence, especially the folksier side, Korpiklaani, Finntroll, Turisas - a few folksier acts, Kate Rusby, The Moulettes, Chumbawumba, The Wurzels obviously. That's probably enough from me.

El Hombre: I am very influenced by punk and heavier styles of music, which probably explains my aggressive playing style, it's a difficult question to answer as every member of the band comes from a very different musical place.

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