Steve Fleck: Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Mandolin, Lead Vocals, Trombone, Songwriter
Ryan Dallavia: Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Lead/Back-up Vocals, Djembe
Evan Waterstrat: Bass, Violin, Back-up Vocals,
Smidge: Drums, Percussion, Back-up Vocals
From Western New York, in the small town of Youngstown, the emergence of The Brass Monkeez is relatively recent. Their unique style of 60's and 70's rock paired with newer influences has amazed crowds since their beginning. From their modest start in the summer of 2008 they have progressed and improved faster than many bands their age. Influences like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Phish, The Band, The Grateful Dead, The Who, and The Allman Brothers have shaped there sound to what it is today.
Starting with the short lived name of Coin Operated, the band got off to a rough start. With no drums or bass it was hard to practice or be serious as a band. One month after the start of the band Evan Waterstrat asked to join as a violin player, Steve asked him to learn bass, which he did and later joined. A Short time later the band got tired of playing, so Steve and Evan got together with a friend, Antonio Geurrucci, and manufactured the band The Revolutionary Brass Monkeez. They later won 2nd place at a local Battle of the Band playing "Hey Jude", "Sunshine of Your Love", and their first original song: "She's Wonderful". A month later Ryan Dallavia (Guitar and Vocals) joined the band, after meeting the band at a banquet a few months earlier. One week later, the band played their first official gig on June 19th, at the Youngstown Level Regatta street party, the next night they had their second gig at a local Lewiston bar Tin Pan Alley. After a successful first year, a short search for a new drummer began. In May 2010 Tyler 'Smidge' Midgley joined as an accomplished and experienced drummer. John Snell joined the band briefly as a talented pianist and percussianist for the summer of 2011.
The Brass Monkeez are a polished act, and have played at countless festivals, partys, dances, bars, and competitions. One cannot help but notice the groovin' talent and songwriting skill that bursts from their original songs. The Brass Monkeez move through their lengthy sets exploring everything from funky original jams to Woodstock era hits. Their music is evolving everyday into an explosive new but reminiscent style. As they start to focus on the long journey ahead, they look forward to treating western New York and the world to the Brass Monkee way.
~ FOREVER FORGING AND EXPANDING ECLECTIC ROCK ~
