Monkeybite
Written by: Cait Elizabeth - October 2018
Edited by: Travis Ryan
INTRODUCTIONS
Monkeybite just makes you want to shake your ass. Their music is pure infectious energy that makes you want to jump around even if you have a phobia of simply swaying. I’ve witnessed people mob a dance floor like they are compelled to be there, feverishly bopping around and screaming the lyrics back at lead singer Nicholas Marino. The band puts on a hell of a show, leaving their fans exhausted and grinning at the end of each set. Their sound is reminiscent of The Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, and Cage the Elephant. Monkeybite is comprised of Nicholas Marino (lead vocals/guitar), Joe Zerilli (drums), Alex White (guitar), and Matthew Vincent (bass).
TOURS AND SHOWS
Monkeybite has played shows in NYC, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. They’ve toured everywhere from local backyards to popular city venues. According to Nick, playing up and down the coast just doesn’t feel the same as the smaller venues. He finds playing the latter to be a more intimate and personal experience with the audience. I think he secretly has a laugh seeing the tiny stages get flash mobbed when Monkeybite plays their cover of “Sexy Back”. The band has a new single coming out later this year entitled “Rose”—a tune that holds special meaning for Nick as it was one of the first songs he wrote in high school. It was named for a former girlfriend who loved the song and whose middle name is Rose. When pressed about antics on the road, Nick more or less blamed Joe…but wouldn’t give details.
INSPIRATION & INFLUENCES
Monkeybite was built on a love for many genres. Elements of classic rock, punk, and hip hop have found a home in the music they play. Monkeybite’s garage-pop-punk sound was distilled from diverse inspirations: Led Zeppelin, The Strokes, Motown, and Wu-Tang Clan highlight a few of them. It’s clear that a well-rounded musical education has made for the perfect storm of sound.
“Love everyone and do what you love”