The Long-Awaited '63 MONROE Review!
The above photo is of Markii Burnaway (left) with an unidentified fan hanging out in the backroom of Max's Kansas City.
For those of you who haven't yet picked up the August 'ish of 'ArtSCAPE,' I offer this review of the new CD by The Legendary '63 Monroe, now out on Speed City Records and available at fine record shops everywhere - including Speed City.
... It was either Charlie Manson or Keith Partridge who once noted that playing in a rock band was like being a member of a family.
There's love, mutual respect and lots of arguing and fighting. And on that note, it saddens me to report that Markii Burnaway, the lead-guitarist for long-time glam-punk rockers '63 Monroe is no longer one of the boys in the band. Markii has left to pursue his rock dreams elsewhere. All of which proves that even in the hurly-burly world of rock 'n roll, birds still gotta fly and fish gots to swim.
Burnaway and lead-singer Steven R. Stunning (a.k.a. Scott Bentley) have always had a Nigel Tufnel/David St. Hubbins-like relationship but his departure is going to leave a big hole in Monroe's stage show. Markii was well-known for showing up in make-up and Fredericks of Hollywood drag and playing while sitting on top of Stunning's shoulders.
On a happier note to long-time followers of Monroe, who celebrated their 25th anniversary a couple of years ago, on Last Exit to Rock 'n Roll, their recently-released CD of all-new material, Markii's guitar solos are all over it and he leaves the band with his reputation as a shredder-extraordinaire well intact.
In fact, everyone comes out smelling like a rose on this CD. The songs and production are far superior to anything they have ever done. No stinkin' out the joint on this effort. Bassist Pete DeKoker gets credit for writing some fine unforgettable tunes.
The song line-up is representative of the band's live act and show their favorite influences - the Ramones, the New York Dolls and the Stooges - Larry, Moe and Iggy. They burst out of the gate with the hang-onto-your-hats 'Dear John.' It's the rock 'n roll equivalent of riding bare-back and it sets the tone for everything to come. Giddy-up.
They may be middle-aged and pushing 50, but the songs reflect the same concerns of any 17-year-old punk - getting pissed and getting laid. But now they are coming from a slightly more mature perspective - which is best summed up in a song about how the hassles of home and work are 'Keeping Me Away (from My Drinkin').'
Punk? Glam? Naw, this is just straight-up Hard Rock. The boys rock long and they rock hard, with staying power to go all night long. No slow, tender love ballads; just wham-bam-thank-you mam. And as the song-writing shows, these aging rockers ain't shooting blanks. Feel free to insert you own Viagra joke here.
*** NOTE *** - the new version of '63 Monroe will be playing at Call the Office on Friday, August 17th.
posted by Sonny Drysdale at 1:53 AM
19 Comments:
Good review, Sonny. Artscape should pay you more.
My most cherished 63 Monroe memory is offering Steve Stunning a french fry at the Wick one night, and feeling honoured that he accepted.
Kid - you ARE a punk!
I bet you even know what they put on their french fries in Amersterdam.
How's your brother been enjoying the last six (and counting) weeks?
My brother fortunately has another job, so he's not being hit as hard as others. He's looking for other work in the same field right now.
Oh, and he's pissed off. But so is everyone else.
Sonny, the so-called unidentified fan to the right of Markii is Rod (Cynthia) Adams of the Plaster Casters.
No doubt Markii has had his enormous tool immortalized by the Plaster Casters.
Butch - as you and me and Kid Dork all very well know about the plaster-caster - who hasn't been done?
But as Cynthia once commented to the lead singer of '70s Canadian rockers 'Foot in Cold Water' - "Geez, it's no big deal."
I remember the day when Steve R. Stunning Bentley (whichever name he was going by that day) came into the Elbow room with Mick McGill of the Legend Killers. As this was a UWO pub, they got a lot of attention. As I had known Mike for years, I got cool points from my fellow staffers for talking to them both. Score one for the townies!
TRUE STORY: I once rolled into the Delaware Legion on a Saturday night about two hours before closing time with Mike Smith, owner of Joe Kool's, Stompin' Tom Conners, Kim Mitchell of Patio O'Latern fame and harmonica player-singer Michael Pickett of Whiskey Howl etc.
I bought them all about 10 rounds each and then sent them packing back to Melonville in a stretch limo.
Got the pictures to prove the tale.
Stompin' Tom even gave an impromptu version of "Sudbury Saturday Night."
Musta been about 1988-89.
Butch, you are a great man.
Cool story about the Elbow Room, David.
And speaking of Legend Killers - Butch, why is it that the first time you told that story, you said Stompin' did an impromptu version of 'The French Fry' song at the end of the night?
There was this guy from PEI
They used to call Spudtato
He met this young Leamington,
Ontario, tomato ...
Oh I dunno, Sonny, the mists of time perhaps.
All I know is Stompin' Tom was stompin around half-cut and picking up $2 bills off the floor like he hadn't eaten in a week.
A whiskey glass and a woman's ass
will make a horse's ass out of any man.
TRUE STORY:
I once went to the Delaware Legion (I grew up in Delaware, so like David, I'm well acquainted with the place) and asked the staff if they knew Butch McClarty. I got confused looks, and then said he was a pig farmer from around there. I said I was a fan of his columns, and that he apparently drank there quite a bit.
You had me, Butch.
Cheryl still laughs at that story.
Shame on you, K.D.
- everyone knows that the Legion which Butch frequents is in the Bizarro-world Delaware.
That's where he met Betty.
Did SNL steal the contents of Butch's life for the Bill Brasky character? Sure seems that they owe him some money.
Kid, the staff you spoke to at the Delaware Legion that night must have thought that you were an undercover narc or something because everybody knows me at The White House.
Next time you drop by, let them know that you're cool by saying the magic words -- "kanooter valves" and you'll be treated like a long lost cousin.
And if I'm not at the Legion, take a drive over to Gibson Road and look for the giant wooden pig on the side of the barn and "McLarty" on the mailbox.
Sonny's been there but I'm not sure that he would remember how to get there, considering how be-gibbled on mushrooms he was.
'Kanooter valves'? I thought that was the password to get the 'special' at Annabelle's Yank and Crank.
I have to telll you this Sonny...just because I have to. Crazy day, a bro in the hospital, and I had my truck crushed at Zubick's a few weeks ago for $180.00. Which is better than the wreckers would have gave me.
Zubick's is the world, but all in micro. Very interesting. I could have lived there for a spell.
Well anyway, taking the bus to the hospital. People, other people are not nice to us bus people.
Well, so, I was listening to Rev. Smoke dope of the Latter day saints, on the Shauna Rae show, of all places...and well he said it will end all wars, and worries...so I tried it.
So I did, and I got off the bus, and I go and see my therapist, who works at a variety store....well anyway I was in a hurry and he knows I had my truck crushed, and it broke my heart.
I buy some potatoe chips and dip....two bags.
He says" that will be $7.49 for dinner tonight. "
It cracked me up, not sure if it should have, but it certainly did. I love my therapist.
Ignore all of the above
but Jesus, mary and joseph I am having fun
That's okay, Honey Pot - some of my best life lessons have come from listening to the Shauna Rae
Show.
Alright, now we're talking turkey!
Honey Pot heard Reverend Tucker of the Church of the Universe on the radio and now has turned to marijuana for salvation. It's about frigging time, Sugar Scoop.
Now maybe you and I can have a decent conversation down by the riverbank. I can hardly wait. It'll be wet 'n wild, lemmer tell ya.
Welcome to Salvation, Honey Pot. The whirld is your oyster and you'll be my happy, tight little clam!
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