One of the White Rock Blues Society’s best-received guest bands is returning for the organization’s 50th show next week.
Ottawa-based MonkeyJunk will be serving up what it calls a “generous helping of swamp rhythm and blues, soul boogie and bedroom funk” Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. at the Rhumba Room, Pacific Inn resort (1160 King George Blvd.).
Steve Marriner (vocals, harmonica, keyboards, guitar), Tony Diteodoro (lead guitar) and Matt Sobb (drums) have only been working together as a band since the spring of 2008, but they’ve already notched up a Blues Music award for best new artist debut, a Canadian Independent Music award for best blues artist and five Maple Blues awards in 2010, as electric act of the year, entertainer of the year, guitar player of the year (Diteodoro), plus vocalist of the year and harmonica player of the year (both for Marriner).
They also made an impressive third-place showing at the International Blues Challenge.
The name derives from a comment made by one of the musicians’ favourite blues artists, Son House (“I’m talkin’ ’bout the blues. I ain’t talkin’ about Monkey Junk”) which stuck with them and seemed to fit their style, which one reviewer has termed a “hot, sticky, greasy, backwoods folk blues sound.”
Even minus a bass player – band members are quick to point out that Hound Dog Taylor didn’t have one either, and Little Walter frequently did without – MonkeyJunk has created a strong reputation for credibility both on disc and in powerhouse, danceable live performances.
Tickets are available at Tapestry Music, Surfside Music, the Pacific Inn or online at tickets.surrey.ca
