Monkeyfists: Your local landlocked shanty band
We are all about the fun of the foot-stomping, galleon-storming, carousing, roustabout lark of playing live the songs that brought together the crew aboard ship under sail and steam. We seek some of the authenticity of old sea songs, shanties, folk songs and drinking songs.
Many are up tempo, and filled with profanity, lewdness and the raw and salty language of the old days. Others are contemplative, balladic, but just as rousing. We also throw in a few modern songs now and again!
We play festivals, tiny pubs, private parties, and anything in between. It started in 2014 when Alex and Jack roped in their Dad, Chris, to play piano accordion. Then others were press-ganged in on a pittance of a wage. We lost a few – the sea is cruel; Chris passed away in 2017. We are now eight: Jack on lead vocals, Alex on guitars and vocals, John on bass ukelele and vocals (as well as studio recording and videography), Stewy on vocals and percussion, Steve on mandolin, Ben on bazouki, Sam on vocals and percussion, and Will on piano accordion and vocals.
Sound ominously niche? Believe us: you’ll know more than you think. And we’re learning all the time, in fact we pride ourselves on focusing on authenticity, integrity and fun sometimes at the expense of accuracy: “So what”, the audience tell us, “You never said you were anything but the ragged and honest Monkeyfists!” People always dance, sing along, and put in requests.
So we encourage you to join us on a journey across the seas, through the straits, under tropical skies, into back alleys, round the table, into the cellar, and back out via the cider press. We want you to let your matted hair down, brandish your tattoos, adjust your tricorns and roll out the barrel!
Yours, most sincerely landlocked, with a wink in the eye and a piratical cutlass to hand,
The Monkeyfists
Oxford 2021
“Great gig! Fantastic atmosphere. Sorry to hear your tricorn was pinched, but come back soon!”
With thanks to Alan D of Klub Kakofoney for the photos