Monkeysoop
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Fleet Fingered Primate Gumbo
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Putting a positive and six-string spin on monkey business is San Antonio's Monkeysoop, led by guitarist Jerry Connor. A jammy, loose, and guitar-dominated vibe marks the group's instrumental, self-titled debut CD. Connor, supported by Erica Missey (bass), Mike Mayorga (drums) and Paul Wiesban (electric violin), lets it all hang out with fat metallic assaults, linear cascades, wall-of-sound embellishments, and shrednik bombast. The title track showcases flipped-out, speedy fret runs and plenty of notes, while tracks such as "Vagrancy" spotlight an entirely different side of the band, with an eerie, haunting guitar mantra. Monkeysoop draws on progressive rock, metal, jazz, classical, funk, folk and soundtrack music for its range of influence.
Jerry Connor's twenty-plus-year obsession with guitar began on South Padre Island, where he would play while listening to Rush and Jimi Hendrix. His musical world turned upside down when a fateful accident left him unable to play guitar. Through college, he concentrated on music studies, especially theory, in hopes of becoming a composer, as doctors had told him he would never play guitar again. However, Jerry's determination and up to ten hours of practice a day eventually rehabilitated him, and his knowledge of music theory and his practiced playing have created a guitar powerhouse whose creed is "it's all about the music." After playing with different bands across the country, he settled in San Antonio to write the music that makes up Monkeysoop.
Monkeysoop is currently working on new music for an acoustic album, as well as amped tunes for the follow-up to their self-titled debut, with new drummer Xavier Gonzalez. The band is available to play shows, write and record musical scores for film and commercial purposes, and touring.
Contact Information
Monkeysoop
C/O Erica Missey
P. O. Box 33784
San Antonio, TX 78265-3784
United States
E-mail:
Monkeysoop
Web site:
www.monkeysoop.com
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Dimitar Bozikov
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Brilliant Macedonian Axeman
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Quick! How many guitarists can you name from Macedonia? Not too many... so how about finding one that will blow you away? Dimitar Bozikov's CD, Guitarland, may just do that, with its creatively arranged and brilliantly executed instrumental rock tracks in the Jeff Beck and Brett Garsed style. Finding clever ways to enliven lyricless music is a lot easier said than done, but Bozikov relies on a seemingly endless bag of guitaristic tricks to keep the interest level high all the way through the ten tracks. Fans of instrumental guitar will warm up to this immediately, appreciating Bozikov for the fiercely talented, exciting and versatile guitar player that he obviously is. If you can find a copy - highly recommended.
Dimitar was born in 1963 in Sofija, Macedonia, surrounded by music, as his father and mother were both opera singers. Starting out on piano, he quickly switched to guitar influenced by rockers such as Tommy Bolin and Alvin Lee and jazz artists such as George Benson and Larry Carlton. Dimitar credits Jeff Beck with really opening his ears to creative guitar playing, and decided to put together his own independent studio in order to experiment without limitations and allow unlimited possibilities for inspiration. His goal with Guitarland was to make a modern sounding recorded devoid of vanity licks and phrases, influenced by Macedonian climate and culture. Dimitar hopes his music never leaves the listener indifferent - not a problem!
Bozikov is busy working on his next studio project, inviting many guest musicians from Macedonia and Europe.
Contact Information
Dimitar Bozikov
Franc Presern 25
Skonie
Macedonia
E-mail:
Dimitar Bozikov
Web site:
www.dimitarbozikov.com
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