L-R: Pete Weiss (drums), Chris Handsome (guitar), Bob Forrest (vocals), Dix Denney (guitar), Rob Graves (bass)
Thelonious Monster is playing this Thursday, February 4, at the Echo in Los Angeles. This stunning fact gives me the opportunity to wax philosophical about my love for the Monster, especially singer/songwriter, Bob Forrest. First off, as mentioned in the sidebar, “The Adios Lounge” is a song from Thelonious’ 1992 album, Beautiful Mess, and features Bob duetting with Tom Freakin Waits. And my choosing a Thelonious Monster song was no accident. They’re my favorite band of all-time, taking root in 1989-90 when I realized, “Hey, this ‘college rock’ is way better than goddamn Def Leppard, why didn’t anyone tell me sooner?”
Other people had the actual Replacements, but I just missed that bus. So, Thelonious Monster was my Replacements. They were lovable stumblebums who credibly bridged classic rock with punk rock, offered searing, heartfelt songwriting, and played 12-15 of my favorite shows ever. Of course, they played 2-3 of my worst shows ever because also like the Mats, the band could vacillate between overachieving and underachieving, sometimes within the same song on the wrong night. However, having seen the Monster probably 20 times between 1990-97, I usually left shows thinking, “If I ever started a band, Thelonious Monster would be that band … but preferably without the heroin dependency and self-destructive streak.”
Which brings me back to Bob Forrest (pictured above). A folksinger trapped in a junkie punk rocker’s body, he combined Paul Westerberg‘s heart with David Lee Roth‘s stage banter. I’ve watched somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 billion bands and Forrest remains one of the best frontmen I’ve ever seen, and that’s without leg kicks and spandex. Granted, I’m totally biased because he spent a good chunk of his adolescence in my hometown (Huntington Beach) and went to my high school (Marina HS). Bias notwithstanding, Forrest wrote songs with heart, balls, and brains and presented them on stage with such an engaging persona you could briefly fool yourself into thinking that the band was destined for greatness. Unfortunately, for all of Bob’s songwriting and bandleading gifts, he couldn’t get out of his own way. His legendary appetite for drugs and wanton self-destruction killed the band’s miniscule chance at fame in the post-Nirvana era. Naturally, this only made him more compelling and engaging to me. After all, if I can relate to anything it’s God-given talent laid waste by self-sabotage. Hell, that’s my most recent status update on Facebook!
And that brings us to the two silver linings to this tale of what might have been. The first is DUDES, THELONIOUS MONSTER IS PLAYING ON THURSDAY!!! For all the shoulda-couldas, I’m gonna get to see my boys shake the shack. And this show means there will be future shows and that makes me a happy man. The second, and far more important silver lining, is Bob’s resurrection as the wizened junkie sage on Celebrity Rehab. Unbelievably, he’s not only clean and sober, but he’s put himself in a position where he can help other wasted talents get back on their feet and feel a sense self-worth. Suffice to say, after all I’ve been through in the last year, that message hits home for me big time. Who knew? Bob Forrest and Thelonious Monster — the gift that keeps on giving.
Thelonious Monster – So What If I Did
Stormy Weather, 1989
Thelonious Monster – So What If I Did
Thelonious Monster – So What If I Did
The Cabaret, Buffalo, NY
May 27, 1989
Thelonious Monster – So What If I Did
All of that preamble sets up two versions of one of my favorite Thelonious Monster songs. “So What If I Did” was the lead track on their finest album, 1989’s Stormy Weather. I also included Bob’s banter on both ends of the live cut to showcase his self-deprecating, goofball appeal. You know, with my Clarence White series coming to a close and Thelonious a quasi-entity again, maybe 2010 should be the year when I tackle Bob & The Monster, a reference to both the band’s legacy and the title of an upcoming documentary (click the link to go to the movie’s Facebook page).
very cool
Ah, this makes me so fucking happy. Just wish to fuck I could come down for the show. Such is life. Well done, el diablo.
Don't know about the stage banter, but it's a good song.
The stage banter will make more sense as we go along. Yes, I've made the executive decision to keep Thelonious in the crosshairs for the indefinite future, so lots more banter and lots more songs will be forthcoming. But yeah, the main thing is the songs.
Man I feel like crying. I've been looking for “So What if I Did” for a long time. Can't believe I finally found it. This songs stirs up some old happy ghosts for me. Thanks Bob.
I'm going with Mario here, lucky to have caught Thelonious Monster on a few of their magic/tragic tours back and forth the I-10. Love this godamn song. You can really hear just how much he lives inside the pain and genius he sings about. Thanks – really! for keeping the song links live.