I think the first time I saw Bay Area ska band Monkey was in 1997, or right around there. It was when third-wave ska was hitting the big time and there were ska shows (all ages, imagine!) a couple nights a week, locally. I was in high school and going to as many of those shows as possible, skanking my booty off. Really, after I got my driver's license, dancing was my main form of exercise.

I specifically remember Monkey playing at Club West as part of this Bay Area Ska tour, along with Slow Gherkin and a bunch of other bands with silly names. I loved it. Last time I saw 'em, they played a really poorly attended show at Six Rivers Brewery in the last few years.

This time... it was great. Being an opening band is especially hard. People were there for the English Beat, but luckily, ska music puts people in a great mood and the crowd seemed to really dig Monkey.

Here are a few pics: