MonkeyJunk, one of Canada's top blues bands, entertained at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts in North Battleford Wednesday.
Band members Steve Marriner (vocals, guitar, harmonica), drummer Matt Sobb and guitarist Tony D had just returned from a European tour before heading to Western Canada.
MonkeyJunk's performance earned huge applause and a standing ovation.
Marriner says, "The truth of the matter is that we aren't exactly a 'blues band.' In the beginning that was true, but now we write our own songs, and let them come out however they may. We want everybody to be able to enjoy our tunes, regardless of their taste and/or knowledge."
The trio is made up of veteran blues musicians who started jamming together six years ago on Sunday nights, says Marriner. They enjoyed it so much, they just kept on going.
All three members are from the nation's capital. Marriner and Sobb were both born and raised in Ottawa, while Tony D was born in Italy as Tony Diteodoro, immigrating to Canada with his family when he was very young. Ottawa has been his home ever since. This past spring he was inducted into the Order Of Ottawa by the city's mayor, Jim Watson, for contributions to the music community, as he has been an integral part of the Ottawa music scene for more than 30 years.
North Battleford's concert was one of several MonkeyJunk had scheduled for Saskatchewan and Alberta, then they were to return to Ottawa for a few days before a short tour in Quebec. Following Thanksgiving, they head back across the pond to Sweden for their first Scandinavian tour.
MonkeyJunk holds more than 20 Maple Blues Awards, a Juno Award, a Canadian Independent Music Award and an American Blues Music Award. Awards include best album, best entertainer, best vocalist, best guitarist, best drummer, best songwriting and best harmonica player.
MonkeyJunk is a name taken from a quote by legendary blues artist, Son House, who said, "I'm talkin' 'bout the blues. I ain't talkin' 'bout monkey junk."
