As is traditional, the Funky Junky Monkeys play the final gig in this venue before heading to the after party at the Morgan!

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 naughties but when Sharon joined on vocals and saxophone, the band really began to shine! And now they welcome Sam on drums, fresh from playing with Molly Gone Mad.

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, yep, every Malvern Rocks since it started.  We can’t help but feel partially responsible!

Over twenty years later, the Funky Junky Monkeys are still going strong. They’re a veritable party in a box!