The Blow Monkeys

Biography

The Blow Monkeys are a British pop band formed in 1981. Their first single, "Live Today Love Tomorrow×Live Today Love Tomorrow1982 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksALive Today Love TomorrowBIn Cold Blood", was released in 1982. They subsequently enjoyed a successful career with several hit singles and albums throughout the 1980s before splitting up at the beginning of the 1990s. Their first hit song was "Digging Your Scene×Digging Your Scene1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksADigging Your Scene (extended mix)6:25B1Digging Your Scene (LP version)4:13B2Digging Your Scene (dub Cosmic mix)5:42" which hit No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1986. They had four albums and eleven singles in the UK charts between 1986 and 1990.
In late 2007 the original band members reunited and have now released a total of thirteen albums.

Formation

The Blow Monkeys formed in London in 1981 when lead singer, songwriter, guitarist, bassist, and piano player Dr. Robert (born Bruce Robert Howard, 2 May 1961, Haddington, Scotland) returned to the United Kingdom after having spent five years in Australia. Dr. Robert is thought to be named after the Beatles song "Doctor Robert". The other band members are Mick Anker on bass guitar, Neville Henry on saxophone and Tony Kiley (born 16 February 1962) or Crispin Taylor on drums.

Recording

In 1984, the group released their debut album Limping for a Generation×Limping for a Generation1984 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1He's Shedding Skin4:04A2Wildflower3:00A3Atomic Lullaby5:01A4Fat Cat Belusha4:16A5Go Public4:35B1Professor Supercool4:01B2Man From Russia3:15B3Limping for a Generation3:34B4Waiting for Mr. Moonlight4:24B5Trashtown Incident4:12, but their first hit single came in 1986 with "Digging Your Scene×Digging Your Scene1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksADigging Your Scene (extended mix)6:25B1Digging Your Scene (LP version)4:13B2Digging Your Scene (dub Cosmic mix)5:42", from their second album Animal Magic×Animal Magic1986 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Digging Your Scene4:152Animal Magic3:073Wicked Ways4:144Sweet Murder6:325Aeroplane City Lovesong4:536I Nearly Died Laughing3:397Don’t Be Scared of Me3:308Burn the Rich4:189I Backed a Winner (in You)2:3910Forbidden Fruit4:0011Heaven Is a Place I’m Moving To3:09 (which reached number 21 in the UK Albums Chart). The single attracted attention for its topical lyrics, dealing with the AIDS-fueled backlash against gay people. It peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number 7 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. In addition, it reached No. 12 in the UK Singles Chart, No. 24 in Italy, and No. 25 in Germany.
Their third album She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter (whose title is a reference to then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher), was released in January 1987. It reached No. 20 in the UK, thanks to its biggest hit, "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way×It Doesn't Have To Be This Way1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksAIt Doesn't Have to Be (long)B1It Doesn't Have to Dub That WayB2Ask for More," which reached No. 5 in the UK and No. 28 in Italy, and is featured in the movie Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol. The record featured harmony vocals by singer-songwriter Grayson Hugh. It was released in the United States but failed to chart there. The album also featured a duet with soul legend Curtis Mayfield on "Celebrate (the Day After You)".
The song "You Don't Own Me" appears on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.
Outside the group, Robert Howard released a single, "Wait", which featured early Chicago house singer Kym Mazelle on female lead vocals. It reached No. 7 on the UK chart and was included on The Blow Monkeys' fourth album, Whoops! There Goes the Neighbourhood), and on their first greatest hits album Choices – The Singles Collection. This was their highest-charting record, reaching No. 5 in the UK Albums Chart in 1989.

Split and reunion

The band split up in late 1990, shortly after the release of their fifth album Springtime for the World×Springtime for the World18 June 1990 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1In Too Deep4:342Springtime for the World3:253Vibe Alive2:504Reflections '892:575Be Not Afraid7:026If You Love Somebody5:087La Passionara4:438Let the People Dance3:439Fruits of the Earth4:4410As the Dust Settles6:0611Checking Out4:5712The Other Side of You4:3813Live Guitar Solo (undocumented)1:45 (an EP of the same name was also released, collecting all three singles from the album). After briefly recording with Dee C. Lee as Slam Slam, Dr. Robert went solo. He contributed to Paul Weller's solo debut album, and co-wrote material with both Weller and Lee. Another notable collaborator was Beth Orton.
On 18 November 2007, the original band members announced the reunion of The Blow Monkeys, as well as a new album Devil's Tavern, and a tour in 2008. Released on 8 September 2008, the album was funded by pre-orders placed by fans. Q magazine reviewed the album, saying, "Their first album in 18 years still finds the frontman in fine voice; Robert continues to sound like he dresses only in velvet and smokes cigarillos."
In June 2009, the band released a special-edition double digipack CD and DVD of their performance at the 100 Club in London. It featured the original line-up performing fifteen songs including "Digging Your Scene×Digging Your Scene1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksADigging Your Scene (extended mix)6:25B1Digging Your Scene (LP version)4:13B2Digging Your Scene (dub Cosmic mix)5:42," "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way×It Doesn't Have To Be This Way1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksAIt Doesn't Have to Be (long)B1It Doesn't Have to Dub That WayB2Ask for More," and "Wait," plus other tracks from the band's earlier work, and a few new songs from Devil's Tavern.
January 2011 saw the release of the album Staring at the Sea×Staring at the Sea14 February 2011 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Steppin' Down4:142Hanging on to the Hurt3:483The Killing Breeze3:134Seventh Day3:105Staring at the Sea4:226What It Takes4:437Prayin' for Rain3:168One of Us Is Lying2:569Face in the Rock4:0710All Blown Down2:5011A Lasting Joy3:42, with "Steppin' Down" as the first single.
Feels Like a New Morning was released in April 2013 on Cherry Red Records, accompanied by a bonus CD containing 10 Blow Monkeys songs performed by Dr. Robert.
In 2013, Sony Music issued a comprehensive, three-disc box set, Halfway to Heaven: The Best of The Blow Monkeys & Dr Robert, including a 1984 concert from the Hammersmith Palais.
In October 2014, the band went to Monnow Valley Studios, Rockfield, Monmouthshire, Wales to record a new album, with mixing and engineering by Jon Withnall. The resulting album If Not Now, When?×If Not Now, When?8 April 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1OK! Have It Your Way3:272The Sound of Your Laughter2:513All That Glitters4:394Think Again4:315The Guessing Game3:416Sun Is in the Sky4:097Stay Now4:168Shadow Boxing4:489If Not Now When?3:5310Lions of Charing Cross6:46 was released in April 2015.
In October 2017, the band released their tenth studio album The Wild River×The Wild River6 October 2017 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Crying for the Moon4:042What in the World4:073On the Wings of the Morning3:204The Wild River4:485Landslide Comin’4:036Fortune’s Wheel4:037God’s Gift4:218An Act of Faith4:529I Keep Getting in the Way4:3810Nothing to Write Home About3:08 on Monks Rd. Records. It was written and produced by Robert Howard and recorded and mixed at Gismo 7 Studio in Motril, Spain. The album features Crispin Taylor on drums and is a return to their soul/funk roots.
In October 2018, the band supported Level 42 on their Eternity Tour.
In September 2021, they released their 11th studio album Journey To You×Journey to You24 September 2021 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Dust at Her Feet4:182Time Storm3:503More Than a Miracle3:564One More Time3:225Each & Every One3:536Earthbound4:237Touching Distance3:538Unicorn Kisses3:399Journey to You5:3610Teardrop Rock3:37, produced and written by Dr. Robert.
In January 2024, they announced their 12th studio album Together/Alone×Together/Alone31 May 2024 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Stranger to Me Now4:082Waking Up Is Hard to Do2:593Rope‐A‐Dope3:424Not the Only Game in Town3:215Don’t Wish Away the Days4:136Cards on the Table3:497Cool Summer Hideaway3:118King of Everything4:289Togetheralone4:1810I Just Had to Let It Go3:2711Buried in the Backyard7:5312The Blue & Gold4:17 on Scottish label "Last Night From Glasgow" , to be released in that May.