These days, rock music is rather hard to come by. The musical landscape has become desegregated to the point of deformation, with turntables and drum machines as welcome to the genre as a raspy voice and a loud guitar (downtuned, of course). And where there used to be singing so melodic and soulful, a wall of screaming and hip-hopping now stands. But Monday Conspiracy craves not these things.
It is the pioneers who shape the world, and MonCon are pioneering rock, though one would hardly believe that it could happen in a town as small as Woodstock, New Brunswick. Indeed, to the untrained ear, their sound may not seem much different from other bands changing the face of rock. But upon futher inspection, one realizes something coherently dissimilar for most commercial-whoring, egotistical rock bands. That, my friends, is passion. But, as the old saying goes, to know them is to love them. Let's meet the five-headed rock beast that is Monday Conspiracy.
Vocalist Andrew Bull, guitarist Eric Braun, bassist Corey Palmer, and drummer Randy Ross started out on their rock mission in January 2000. Never staying hungry for the stage for long, they embarked on a frenzied string of shows at... well, any place that would have them. the local college, area bars, even arenas have housed MonCon shows. It was at these varied venues that the band members clicked, bringing a tight mix of melody and mayhem to stage after stage. And they were rewarded with very responsive (and steadily expanding) audiences. But, then, one can hardly be surprised, since night after night, show after show, song after song, MonCon delivers.
My first experience with Monday Conspiracy was at the 2001 CHSR Battle of the Bands in Fredericton. And though the judges lacked the good sense to hail them as champions, it was certainly a winning performance in this writers book. These songs with melodic backbones, yet brains full of fury. These lyrics, brutally honest and heartfelt. This PASSION...
At this moment, MonCon is readying their debut album. And even with over two years of playing and who knows how many mind-blowing songs to their credit, the focus remains relentless. In addition to putting the finishing touches on album one, Monday Conspiracy plans to continue their ongoing duty of bringing it to the people. Shows are being organized as we speak, not only to promote MonCon, but to bring other bands to the forefront as well. In addition, the internet is being used to get the music and message out there (and as long as this writer has email and inspiration, that's fine with me). And, even before the first CD is wrapped up, they've begun writing more music. Now that's passion.
And so you've been warned. Armed with jaw dropping music, an explosive live show, and an overabundance of passion, MonCon is seeing to it that the face of rock is indeed changing. And all the backwards hat wearing, downtuned guitar playing, punk-ass hip-hopping "rock" bands in the valley below had better watch out fot the mudslide. To rock is to live, and Monday Conspiracy is destined for eternal life.
