The 100 Monkeys
The 100 Monkeys in Indianapolis, June 29, 2011.
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Rock
Years active	2008 (2008)–2012
Labels	Awesome Sauce Records, Warrior Records
Past members	Jackson Rathbone Ben Graupner Ben Johnson Jerad Anderson Lawrence Abrams Nshan Markosyan
Website	www.facebook.com/100MonkeysMusic

The 100 Monkeys was an independent funk rock band from Los Angeles, California. The members of the group, from 2008 until their disbandment in 2012, were Ben Graupner, Jackson Rathbone, Jerad Anderson, Ben Johnson, Lawrence Abrams, and Nshan Markosyan. The band name comes from the idea of the "hundredth monkey effect".

History

The 100 Monkeys formed in 2008 in Los Angeles, California, playing shows to smaller crowds at venues such as The 24K Lounge and other similar sized stages in the local area. Their first album, “Monster De Lux” (2009), was entirely improvised. All was created, recorded, then produced in a single take. Their second self-released album, “Creative Control Sessions”, featured fan favorite songs such as "Sleeping Giants" and "Gus". It was produced by Scott Coslett. During a short tour from May through June of 2009, the band performed several dates in PA and NY. In June, they released three singles of studio mastered songs – "Ugly Girl", "Smoke" and "Wasteland Too". Their first studio album, "Grape" was released in 2009. The band then toured across the West Coast. In 2010, the band embarked on a 100 City Tour across the United States, an effort which has greatly increased their audience.

The 100 Monkeys’ sound has been described as “funk rock” by Spin.^[1] They have described the meaning behind their lyrics to be inspired by "drinking, the devil, death, and women who cheat and steal."^[2] Due to their recent fame the group has been interviewed by various music magazines and television networks. Their music is said to have a blues like feel, and their performances give off a '60s-like vibe, mimicking bands such as the Beatles. Their sound has also been described by MTV.com as a blend of "Iggy Pop with the Raconteurs."^[3]

In 2010 the band also released Live And Kickin: Part Too, a DVD documentary companion to their Live And Kickin: Part One live album.

The band signed with Warrior Records in 2011 and released their second studio album June 28, 2011, entitled Liquid Zoo.^[4] To celebrate the release of the new album, a tour was set forth throughout the United States and Canada, with an opening act produced by member Jackson Rathbone himself, a Vancouver band called The Bleeding Horse Express,^[5] before the release of their own album.^[6] The 2011 Tour kicked off with an album release party in Cincinnati, Ohio, and will wrapped up exactly two months later in San Diego, CA.^[4]

On March 4, 2012, The 100 Monkeys announced that Jackson Rathbone and Jerad Anderson would be taking leave from the band. Anderson stated that he hoped to return eventually after working on some film projects for his company Wayne/Lauren Film Company. Jackson had his own projects, including fatherhood soon after. The band regrouped, added a couple members, Rob Coonrod and Mat Black, declaring themselves renamed as The Pink Fuzzy Animals. Only a few short months later, the band dissolved, and everyone had a well needed break from over 4 years of everything touring and making music entails

The 100 Monkeys embarked on another tour of the west coast during April 2012, to promote their new single, "City Of Bones", which debuted on March 12, 2012.^[4]

On April 13, 2012, fans were told to click a link from 100 Monkeys Twitter account that led them to the information that former bandmate Jackson Rathbone and his lawyers had informed the band that the name "100 Monkeys" can no longer be used by remaining band members. The official website for 100 Monkeys was shut down immediately. Lawrence Abrams then announced that he was leaving the band as well, leaving Ben Johnson and Ben Graupner as the last two members of the original line up along with the two newest members, Mat Black and Rob Coonrod.

All of the photos are still available on Facebook, under the page entitled, “Official 100 Monkeys Road Trip,” as well as a well developed archive of videos on YouTube, and photography, made by adoring fans all over the world. IMDb.com has lists upon lists of what each member is up to these days. Jerad Anderson has become a highly successful producer and entrepreneur, Jackson Rathbone has released a few singles. Ben Johnson and his wife Molly have a restaurant, Ben Graupner is “Monkeying Around” somewhere (if someone would like to update, please do).

Our Favorite Monkey’s Uncle, Mr. M. Lawrence Abrams, Angel in life, passed to become a real Angel. I’d like to think that he is watching over us somewhere. He always had a wise word, beautifully phrased. Rest in peace, Uncle. U.L., his initials, also an acronym for the very thing he preached, Universal Love. (July 5, 1953 - December 15, 2017)

Members

The group's members vary from movie producers to actors.

Ben Graupner plays trumpet, guitar, drums, keyboard, and bass guitar, and sings vocals for the band. He was born in Dallas, Texas, on February 7. He has had small roles in a few movies including Trapped in the 5150 and Devolved. He is also the lead vocalist for the band Mechanical People, which also included Ben Johnson and friend Jake Miller.

Jackson Rathbone was born in Singapore City, Singapore on December 14, 1984. He later moved to Texas with his family where he pursued his love of music. He studied acting at Interlochen Center For The Arts, in Interlochen, Michigan, during high school. He gained prominence as an actor with the popularity of the movie series Twilight and the 2010 film The Last Airbender. Jackson plays the guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, mandolin, trumpet, harmonica and is on vocals.

Jerad Anderson was born in San Diego, California, on June 4, 1981. He is a budding actor, having a guest role as Jonah Perkins in the hit ABC Family show Greek as well as several other movies and television shows. Jerad plays guitar and background vocals for the group. Like other members of the band, he also alternates between bass, keyboard, and drums. Jerad is owner of Wayne/Lauren Film Company which in 2010 produced the movie Girlfriend, starring Evan Sneider, which co-starred Anderson and Rathbone and was scored by the band.

Ben Johnson was born May 4, 1984, in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. He plays drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, and vocals for 100 Monkeys. He has produced several albums of music by Spencer Bell, a long time friend that passed from adrenal cancer in 2006.

M. Lawrence "Uncle Larry" Abrams is the band percussionist, and plays flute, bass, saxophone, and occasionally vocals. Lawrence was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 5, 1953.

Nshan Markosyan owned 24K Lounge in West Hollywood where the band first played and headlined regularly on Tuesdays. He played guitar with the Monkeys from 2008-2010, playing locally in Los Angeles. An accomplished businessman and musician, he still rocks his guitar from time to time.

Influence

The band states that their greatest influences are David Bowie and Gary Busey.^[7]

Improv

100 Monkeys performs an improvised song at each concert, based upon an audience idea and chosen by Jerad Anderson. Lyrics are typically created by Jackson Rathbone in real time with all band members varying on which instruments they play.^[8]

Discography

References