I can be sent an album, review it because I love it, and put the artists atop of my cognitive must-see list. Although the list will grow as time progresses, I’m the elephant with a knotted trunk, awaiting some legendary local venue to announce, yeah, we’ve got these guys coming……
In this case the legendary venue is the most apt for this act locally, it is the worshipped Barge on Honeystreet, and the band are the cider-infused Cornish scrumpy & western choir with a message to breakneck Balkan beats, 3 Daft Monkeys; I’m jumping on this bed and if I hit my head I’m waiting for no mama to call the doctor…..
It seems the further west country you trek, across thar cider border, the crazier folk meshed danceable energy embellishes, with carefree counter-culture vibes. But, slightly eastwards to us there’s the remaining outpost of sanity, rejecting today’s mangled status quo and botched mainstream society. For those in agreement, The Barge is a temple, and a wharfside campsite, holding a spiritual synergy of its own making, and perhaps a few crop circles.
If I’m going to see 3 Daft Monkeys on my doorstep, there isn’t a better place to do so. So, Saturday 26th September marks the occasion, owner Lenny No Strings supports. Lenny and his team have continued the authentic nonconformist vibe of the place, and transformed The Barge into the kind of place we’d have wanted it to be back in the nineties, with a homely festival vibe.
It’s been two years since I fondly reviewed Information Camouflage, 3 Daft Monkey’s 2024 album, and I’m delighted for the possibility of finally catching them live. At the time they described their latest release as “a rich, life-affirming tapestry that masterfully blends world folk inspirations with wild punk-infused energy and modern storytelling,” and I could only agree. I said Information Camouflage called to me, as I “yearn for the alternative, the quirky and curious counterculture,” and it bears such hallmarks. I made reference to its melting pot, citing punk, ska, gypsy folk and bonkers west country underground. I hailed its frenzied fiddles, frivolous beats, poignant messages and its dreamy psychedelic vaudeville.
I also said at the time; “all this album has done, other than entertain me highly, is confirm that, if they were playing a festival I’m at, and my mates wanted to go do something different, I’d be saying “see you later,” and making haste for the stage 3 Daft Monkeys are on!” But unfortunately that didn’t happen, I’m not getting any younger, so I hope to be there.
I mean, I could scribe a few words about this event, probably I will, because that’s standard issue with me now, like a lost little diarist. But don’t leave me lonely there, waiting for me to tell you what you missed! Tickets are HERE.
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