A Ripple Conversation With Monkey Intrusion

Name of your band:

Monkey Intrusion which line up is Enrico J. Goti voice and guitar, Vincenzo Reina guitar and voice, Marco Plesnicar bass, Marco Bertoli drums.

What have been your musical epiphany moments?

The first time that we played live after the recording of the album, it was like somebody else possessed our bodies and we were like "Who the heck are these guys playing our music so well!"

Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?

Well, we all write music so there is no fixed pattern in the process. What happens is that someone comes up with an idea, it could be based on a riff or a progression, plays it to the band and then all together we start to develop it in a full song. Let's say that very seldom the words come first, usually they come along with the work.

Who has influenced you the most?

That's the hardest question! Since we all write songs, as said above, there are so many influences... just to name some: Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Guns'n'Roses and Megadeth. But again that's just the top of the iceberg and if you listen to our album "Pussycats and Monkeymen" you'll hear the full spectrum.

Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?

Oh, there's not a recipe. In a way we all are song writing machines, so much so that we have more songs to develop than actual time to do it! Enrico in particular is relentless in proposing new songs. Probably we are simply so curious about life that inspiration never fades away.

We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's home town and how that reflects in the music?

Well, we come from Trieste, an average Italian town at the edge of the Adriatic sea and at the very border with Slovenia. For its geographical position it had a quiet troubled history but it has also been a real melting pot, in fact a lot of "triestini" have foreign surnames. So culturally it has always been pretty much lively. Musically speaking American music has had an important influence due to the fact that after WWII Trieste was not part of Italy but was administered by the Allies and so American troops became an integral part of the city bringing their culture into our own and forging a generation of musicians deeply rooted in jazz and rock'n'roll. So the musical scene is still very much alive and we have a very high percentage of musicians compared to the population. This brings the opportunity to confront and share ideas which contributes to a personal development probably more difficult in other towns. Sorry for such a long answer but it's really a complex question!

Where'd the band name come from?

Ok, here it comes. Once Vincenzo went to Singapore and was flabbergasted by a sign that said that windows had always to be kept close due to "monkey intrusion"! When he came back he told us and we all shared this vision of musical monkeys trying to intrude into the minds of listeners! After a great laugh the name was established!

You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?

"The Hangover", no doubts! Our music would fit in pretty well as we could as characters!

You now write for a music publication (The Ripple Effect?). You're going to write a 1,000 word essay on one song. Which would it be and why?

What an intriguing question! Is there an open position? Anyway "Bad Love" has to be the choice. It's a song that musically varies a lotin progressions and rhythmically. We think it really underlines the strong lyrics about those loves that both hurt and make your soul soar in pleasure. In the end they're bad for you but the memories stay strong even when a long time has passed. And the finale with the powerful voice of Sara Cova both lamenting and calling you as a banshee is unmissable. So, there it is. When are you calling us for the job?

Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?

Well, the first, seeing David Bowie live in the 80's... after so many hours passed listening to his records and there you have it! Great show, still shivers and goosebumps remembering it! Another incredible moment was in Brixton at a live show of James Brown! Coming from a small Italian town it seemed inconceivable to be there! James Brown, for us he was more a mythological creature than a real person. Brought us to tears!

Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you and for your fans?

We love it! It's the best part of being a musician. When you connect with the fans you understand that everything is possible and so it happens that the songs move to previously unknown directions and we think that's exciting for the fans as well. Every night is so unique that for us is always a great pleasure and usually for the crowd as well.

What makes a great song?

Here it comes! The Question! But why, a powerful and memorable riff, an unusual progression, an intriguing and catchy melody all sustained by an irresistible groove, so simple, isn't it? (laughs)

Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?

Well, the first song that we wrote for Monkey Intrusion in particular was "Lady Death", it's been fascinating to find the sound that ever after defined us, also in songs that we imported from previous projects. And as often goes for a long time we referred to it as "the new one".

What piece of your music are particularly proud of?

So hard, it's like having to choose among your children. In a way "The Brighter Side" stands out because it's been the first single we've released and the critics were positive world wide, much more than we anticipated.

Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?

Hmm... so many great artists out there! But we like a lot Dave Grohl. That's a great rock artist with an amazing band! We've seen them live a few times both with the late Taylor Hawkins and with Josh Freese and they do kick your ass! Always!

Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?

Since we started listening to music with vinyl that's the heart's choice. The art covers were also so powerful in that format. But then you think to the scratches, in some long playing some songs were in a way defined by them and it's not so good! On the other hand digital calls for a more casual listening feeding the process of quick music with little attention for complexity, and no art work! So CD is probably the best compromise.

Whiskey or beer? And defend your choice

Wine, we're Italians! (laughs)

We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new music. What's your home town, and when we get there, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?

The heart breaking answer is none, alas! They've all been wiped out. It's really sad to walk the streets and seeing a bank or a restaurant and so on where once there were those great record stores where we passed so many long afternoons in our teens!

What's next for the band?

Well, we are finalizing some new songs and we hope to hit the studios pretty soon, but of course we are programming a series of lives to promote the album as well!

Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?

Yep, stay rock!!! And listen Monkey Intrusion!