Design by Michael MacBlane-Meyer
Last year’s edition of the Capitol Hill Block Party boasted a talent roster that not only exceeded but completely toppled any and all expectations I had conjured since attending the 4 or 5 previous installments. It was an all around success on so many levels, and still might be one of the best music events I attended all of last year, which as you may have guessed was plenty. As amazing as seeing the Jesus Lizard, Sonic Youth, Earth, Akimbo, and Future of the Left all in the span of the same weekend was. For my taste, the best time was had outside the festival gates and underground. The unofficial block party rock dungeon aka my favorite cheap beer swillery known as the Cha Cha, boasted quite the lineup of kick ass local talent courtesy of the solid booking by See Me River frontman and Cha Cha soundman Kerry Zettel.
One band in particular captured my instant attention; actually enough for me to sprint out of the beer line and literally jump up on the back of the nearest booth back for a better look. It just so happened that the righteous 3pm racket blasting out of the PA was The Absolute Monarchs! The hammering drum beats, PBR soaked blend of riff, keys, and fiery vocals of the Monarchs’ live debut splintered my ear drums in just about the best possible way. Low and behold a brand new and excellent local discovery was made.
Over the remaining months of 2009, The Absolute Monarchs! played a few sporadic shows but pretty much stayed out of the limelight in order to record. Finally the band has made available their very first demo EP. A poignant four tracks of intelligent, punchy garage punk accentuated perfectly by the superb “Killing the Old”, a song with enough angst and sludgy reverb that it would be silly to think it wasn’t born and bred right here in the Northwest.
Photo courtesy: ©2009Anders Holmqvist
Links:
MySpace
The Monarchs currently exist with two guitarists in ex-Das Llamas ax-man Shawn Kock and Miki Sodos, Joel Schneider on keys and vox, and Mike Stubz on drums. The first time I wrote about the band after the Block Party gig, Mike contacted me and invited me to check them out at their next show, which happened to be an evening kegger at Victory Lounge. Of course I obliged, and it ruled. When I heard about the Monarchs demo release last month, I gave Mike a shout back and asked if he’d provide a little insight into the Monarchs for SRG, he obliged. The Absolute Monarchs! are definitely a local band to watch in 2010, so definitely look for them to be laying down the law of the land at a venue near you in the not to distant future.
Here is my chat with Absolute Monarchs drummer Mike Stubz:
Nik: How did Absolute Monarchs come together? How do the members know each other?
Mike: The Monarchs came together when Shawn and his roommate Miki started working on some songs. I had just started playing drums again and was looking to play with somebody. We had another singer before Joel, things didn't work out. I knew Joel from around the hill and asked him if he'd be interested in singing in our band. He said yes. That's how the others met Joel. Shawn and I met when his roommate brought me into a Dungeons & Dragons-type game called Hero Quest that they played on Saturday nights.
Nik: How did you guys come to your present sound? What are AM's Influences?
Mike: Originally, the idea was to have 2 guitars, no bass and allow the keyboard to bring in different sounds. Now, we've added the bass to some of our new songs so the sound is continuing to evolve. Shawn and I have a punk background so that is the underlying influence in our sound.
Nik: The demo is excellent, what was the recording process like?
Mike: We recorded at Monkey Trench studios in Bremerton. We laid down all the basic tracks in one day. We finished up the vocals and some guitar stuff on the second day. A little rushed, but fun.
Nik: What are the band's plans for 2010?
Mike: We're going to continue writing more songs, play more shows, get back into the studio and not break up.
Nik: How did you get into the drums? Who is or are your drumming idols?
Mike: I bought a drum set a long time ago so I could four track some things I'd written on the guitar and have been playing in some form of punk bands ever since. As far as influences go, I guess any of the more straight ahead rock/punk drummers. I like the drums simple and I think it works better for the band if I keep it that way.
Nik: Growing up which artists and records have meant the most to you?
Mike: So, growing up Shawn has said Minor Threat was a big deal to him starting out. I was big into record collecting growing up so I'd follow record labels starting with anything on Discord, then SST, A.T., Touch n Go, Merge and of course, Sub Pop.
Nik: What is your favorite thing about playing music?
Mike: Hanging out with friends, writing songs, and rocking out.
Catch The Absolute Monarchs! Live on KEXP May 16th, and stay tuned to more about this band right here on Seattle Rock Guy.
Discography:
Buy EP 
Links:
MySpace
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