The band formed in 1998 when three musicians thought it would be a lark to play gigs dressed in monkey suits. With a bizarre mix of techno and rap, early FJM performed their gigs incognito, behind their masks. However, it was near impossible to see their instruments and also incredibly hot. So they ditched the suits, got another guitarist and a drummer, and started playing lots of parties. Ralph, Andy, Rob and Jem have been playing together since the early noughties but when Sharon joined on vocals and saxophone, the band really began to shine! Over the years, the Funky Junky Monkeys have played hundreds of gigs at parties, weddings, festivals, and even wakes! They have a simple formula: play the songs you would like to hear at a house party. And it’s a formula that has worked well for them. They’ve gotten so many bookings that they’ve even put on their own festivals. Five Pyramid Parties, two Godzilla’s, three Cwm Fests… and over twenty years later, the Funky Junky Monkeys are still going strong. They’re a veritable party in a box!