Inebriated band on the road to Madison Square Garden

COURTESY PHOTO Drunk Monkeys playing Bennigan's in Fort Myers as they do every Thursday night. On July 26, the Drunk Monkeys played Bennigan's in Fort Myers as they do every Thursday night. The audience was the usual Bennigan's fare. There were drinking buddies sitting far from any available woman, joking loudly with each other to attract attention. There were accompanied women sitting with their less than joyous mates. Along with these were some small groups of available, heavily made-up women and exceptionally oily, ultra-groomed young men on the prowl. Some nuclear families were finishing up their meals as several tables were cleared away so the band could set up their equipment.

One of the band's fans, Leta Dietz, speaking for herself and her friends, said she was "all about these guys with a lot of talent and we come to see them."

Dietz said that the Drunk Monkeys always bring in a crowd. Some of their influences are Dave Matthews, Tom Petty and Sublime. They are a cover act but are working on original music and have done some studio work.

Like many musicians, they have to work a lot to stay afloat.

Damien Carlton, who has worked at Blue Pointe as a waiter, said of the performance at Bennigan's, "…it's a really long show."

Typically, this means a show from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. They do this five or six nights a week at different locations..

Carlton, who plays drums, discussed the origins of the band.

"I started working at the Brick Bar, bartending, and I met Bobby," Carlton said, referring to Bobby Blakely, the guitarist and lead singer. "He was playing at Stevie Tomato's and I got him a Wednesday night gig at the Brick Bar. Then, I brought my drums in."

After playing a few times, Carlton thought of his friend, Ryan Jenning, a bassist. Jenning agreed to join the band and the trio was in place. What was missing was a name for the band.

"The Chad at Stevie Tomato's," said Carlton, referring to the nickname of a bartender, "…starting saying we were like a bunch of drunk monkeys."

"And remember, it's not drunken monkeys," Carlton said more than once while interviewed.

The band has a Myspace page at www. myspace.com/verydrunkmonkeys.

"Drunk monkeys was already taken on Myspace," Carlton bemoaned.

When asked what there hopes were they had somewhat contradictory answers.

Jennings said, "To survive."

Whereas, Blakely put in, "To be the first cover band to play Madison Square Garden.

Carlton said the influences of the band are singer/songwriters in the main and likes that they use an acoustic sound on guitar. Their continued popularity in the local bar circuit suggests this is a sound basis for survival and possibly the beginning of a path to bigger things.

In the meanwhile, Carlton said, "We live up to our name."