"The Dark Retreat" now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/madmonks1  
Additional artwork available upon request.


The New Story of the Mad Monks:

This is the way the world begins, not with a band but a whimper...

Deep in the emptiness, nothing stirred for ages.  Blackness, or was it whiteness, protruded eternally and none were there to witness that which was not.  In The Abyss, a hum quietly erupted and laid waste to the illusion of the void.  It seemed we were not alone after all.  Reaching beyond this electric illumination, a single finger tapped out a fretted note as if to say, "Join us in awakening."  It was not long before the others gathered, rapping upon warped metals and seducing swells of harmony from their long silent homes. 

"One member born, apart from the rest, and May the 13th stood forever blessed.
In darkness that stretches the flair light was lit, those in tuned to the void opened eyes to a squint,
The beacon resounds with a sunburst profound,
The madness is misleading, but is never lost ground..." 
-From "Prophecies of a Mad Monk," Author Unknown

Less Dramatic Bio:

Mad Monks formed ages ago, in 2006.  Heavily influenced by early seventies prog-rock and blues, the quartet coalesced in the shape of drums, guitar, bass, and keyboards.  The group experimented for a long time using King Crimson and Hendrix as launching pads to solidify the chemistry of the group.  The music of the Monks quickly evolved into the highly structured psychosis that we have all grown to love.

In 2008, keyboardist Jon Barder left to pursue other interests (life), and the Monks reverted to a trio.  As a three-piece the monks again refined their sound, writing and editing old and new compositions until it was perceived that recording was necessary.  In September of 2010, Mad Monks hit the ground running with the aid of Luke Tweedy at Flat Black Studios and recorded their first album.  Ten tracks were interwoven and laid down to create a single artistic picture.  This mixed material was then sent to Carl Saff Mastering in Chicago and the album is due to be released in January of 2011.

During the recording process, certain melodic ideas were explored that required a fourth party to replicate live.  In the hopes of recreating the sound the Monks achieved on this first album, they decided the time had come to officially enlist another member.  In November of 2010, Sage Satterfield was ritually inducted into the Monastery, and the current Mad Monks were created.

Our influences are: King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Hendrix, Captain Beefheart, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, etc.

This page was setup to post practice tracks for a rock band comprised of 3rd through 6th graders.

All tracks labeled "practice" are intended to aid in the individual practice of these particular arrangements of our chosen cover songs.  (these tracks are recorded by me using Garage Band and utilizing whatever equipment I seem to have in the room with me at the time)

Tracks labeled "UAY Sessions 2011" were recorded by the actual students as an end of the year project, thanks to the Iowa City United Action for Youth.

These tracks are only posted to aid in rehearsal and to show off the playing of these students.  No money is made off of the sale of these cover tracks.

Hope you enjoy!

Mindy Schulz is following