| “Having been professional opera singers for the past 27 years, we thought we had heard it all. Then came Monkeygrinder. To say that this show is 'unique' is a gross understatement. Opera composer Richard Wagner would smile with approval seeing this ingenious melding of arts into one riveting spectacle. From the first movie projection on the curtain, to the last bit of fire-spewing, gravel-voiced singing, the listener is rendered totally helpless. The virtuosity of the band members, particularly lead guitarist and accordion player, is remarkable. Inventive costumes and random bits and pieces of old trucks and machinery lend to the bizarre, sideshow quality, which puts Monkeygrinder in a class by itself. This show is a 'must see' for anyone wanting to step into a truly amazing, musical Twilight Zone.”
~Larry and Jeannie Vincent (BYU School of Music)
"…the most spectacular party I've ever beheld. I can't even justly describe it. When we pulled up there was this life sized elephant made out of carpet padding and when we walked in the front door the room was like a creepy carnival fun house complete with mirrors, reddish yellowish lighting, grotesque clowns, hay on the floor, and a band named Monkeygrinder dressed in carnie clothing with the main singer as a ring master wearing stilts, playing the creepiest carnival music about kidnapping children and making them into circus freaks. The whole thing was surreal."
~ a carnie named Colleen
"The Circus is in Town: In its most basic form, Monkeygrinder is a band, but is closer to a performing troupe with a dodgy past, than just the usual song and dance. It's what a trip to circus was probably like in the late 1800's in France-the gruff, cranky, drinking grandpa of Cirque du Soleil-fun to be around after a few drinks to hear his tales of adventure, but after throwing back a few more, makes you want to run and hide.
There's the Carnival Barker: front man, singer, and guitarist; two clowns, the kind that haunt kids memories for years-one plays the trumpet, the other the accordion. There's a “Candy Butcher” who plays various odd shaped horns; a mime plays the upright bass, a mechanic on drums, and to round it out, a pirate with a wooden leg (every respectable troupe needs a pirate). Yes my friends, a real wooden peg leg-they spare no expense for realism, even if it means having to remove an appendage for authenticity. “Bones,” as he is called, provides all the extra sound effects needed to add rich textured sounds from whistles and bells, to Flamenco clapping to creating sparks from a power saw.
But they're not the only ones decked out in odd or elaborate attire-the audience gets into the act by attending in unusual outfits such as a flesh colored body stocking with Batman cape and cowl.
The music is varied in mood and even language, but always performed with a raw gritty fervor. Songs include: Polecat, Elephant's Last Waltz, and Shantytown. Always a great show; very creative and entertaining. They don't perform often (I hear the circus is very demanding), but if you ever get a chance to see them (especially during Halloween time), definitely make an effort to attend, you won't be disappointed. Get there early in fact, there's always something special for an opening act. Now who wants to join the circus?"
~Geoff Hack - Read the full review >>
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