The band switches instruments!
Jackson Rathbone on drums and Ben Johnson on bass

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100 Monkeys

March 30, 2010
The Social
Orlando, FL

Review and Photos by Leah Pritchett

For months I had been debating on flying to California or even Canada (considering that is where they usually play) to watch 100 Monkeys live, but after months of Twittering that the Monkeys needed to add some Florida dates to their 100 City Tour, my prayers were answered!

Orlando was my destination on March 30. Instead of being the studious college student that I am, I skipped classes and endured a five hour drive with my best friend, David. Arriving in Orlando we met up with my childhood friend, Laura, at the Millennium Mall, where I was in need of a new outfit for the show. We finally arrived at the venue a little later than expected, due to my last-minute fashion crisis. Outside The Social was a line of fans, embellished in Twilight attire, waiting impatiently for the doors to open. When the doors opened and the fans came pouring into the venue, Laura and I succeeded in pushing and shoving our way through, trying to reach the front of the stage, while David hung out at the bar.

Jared Anderson

After a couple of drinks and smokes the first act of the night finally appeared on stage, Smb Project. Instead of being blown away or the least bit interested in this local band, I was aggravated and disappointed. The band was a total rip off of 90’s rock icon, the Smashing Pumpkins. They had a female bassist with blonde hair like D'arcy and a lead singer who slouched, dressed and even sounded like Billy Corgan. I found myself texting and Facebooking on my phone, hoping time would go faster and that this horrific band would get off stage. Following this dreadful performance was a solo act by some random acoustic guitarist, who forgot to mention his name when he started to play. He had a folk sound which went well with his drunkenness and constant struggle to smoke a cigarette while playing guitar. While I wished he’d get off stage right away, 100 Monkeys suddenly appeared to perform a short duet with the un-named musician. The fans went insane as they began to push closer to the stage and scream for Jackson Rathbone, the actor who just happens to play Jasper Hale from the cult hit Twilight; which doesn’t explain the reason why most of the fans were women old enough to be my grandmother.

The guys jumped on stage with smiles on their faces as they ripped into my favorite song, “Orson Brawl” from their 2010 album, Grape. I found myself singing and dancing along with Laura as we struggled to keep our balance against the elderly ladies who were pushing us to touch Rathbone.

Jackson Rathbone

Once the solo act left the stage with the band setting up their equipment, a man dressed in a banana suit came out to present the band I had been so eagerly awaiting to see: 100 Monkeys. The guys jumped on stage with smiles on their faces as they ripped into my favorite song, “Orson Brawl” from their 2010 album, Grape. I found myself singing and dancing along with Laura as we struggled to keep our balance against the elderly ladies who were pushing us to touch Rathbone. Their menopausal symptoms were definitely kicking in. Disregarding the fact that I was practically mauled, I kept signing along to their tunes that were perfectly played, such as “Reaper” and “Smoke.” I was surprised to see that every member of the band knew how to play every single instrument that was on stage. For every song the guys alternated between, guitars, bass, drums and keyboards. After a couple of songs the band welcomed everyone for coming out and also thanked a fan who bought them a round of tequila shots, which they toasted to us and drank. Rathbone also welcomed fans to join them at the Spencer Bell Legacy Concert (supporting the cure for cancer) in Texas which will be held in memory for the bands friend, Spencer. The band immediately went in and performed “The Monkey Song,” a cover from Spencer Bell himself. The fans, including me, sang along to the playful song that was so passionately performed as the infamous banana man jumped into the crowd and danced with me and Laura.

Banana Guy photo by Laura Enriquez

Unfortunately all good things come to an end and reality set in. I had another five hour drive back home, maybe two hours of sleep and work the next day. I’ve never jeopardized my college education, my beloved job or even driven ten hours, in just one day, to see a band. But if I could do this all over again, I would! So as I sit and listen to 100 Monkeys, I keep reminding myself they were worth all the pandemonium.

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