The birth, rise, death, and rebirth of Reverse Monster…(pt. II)

For your listening pleasure, as you peruse the next installation of the Reverse Monster Bio, may we present, the first official Reverse Monster album, Red Cat.

We were all learning a lot during these times. Some of us weren’t even musicians and had to learn as they went! But that was the spirit of Reverse Monster. All inclusive. No ideaz were shot down. Anyone was welcome to participate so long as they played by our rules, which were simply that the process was to be as spontaneous and inclusive as possible. No ownership over the music, just over your performance in the minute, pure and elegant, and untainted human music making…as natural as the insects and frogs that make up the beautiful night song of the summer. Granted, we were obsessed with being a bit weird, and the topics of our songs ranged from the Cat who play poker, Jelly Belly personified, teletubbies, Gary Coleman, Christopher Reeves (our apologiez to the offended) and a score of other t.v. and movie stars without exception. That made it even better.

We weren’t trying to tell anyone anything with our songs. Just maybe make them laugh, but at the very least, we always made ourselves crack up. No concept was safe to be left out of the joke, and it was all meant as a joke, but not to imply it was intended as shoddy or cheap music. Hearts and souls were literally, and with all the dxm usage probably alchemically transfered straight into the recordings of Reverse Monster. Listening to to Reverse Monster, today’s listening might hear a bit of Dan Deacon, or The Residents, or perhaps Ween. The songs are each like small comedy skits somewhat akin to Negetiveland or Firesign Theatre: singing jokes that try both to make toes tap and belly’s laugh and minds expand. Some say that one can attain enlightenment through laughter. Part of what Reverse Monster offered in its music was a combination of laughter and dancing…both of which have been used throughout human history by various spiritual practices as ways to attain certain heightened states of mind. I’m not saying way back then that we were doing this, or at least not intentionally, but looking back, and listening again, that’s what we did.

Like the best musics, there is some creative/spiritual energy that runs through the whole project, even when the songs are delivered in less than “professional” standards of sound, style, or song writing. But yet, there is something there in the music that elevates above some random silliness caught on tape. I can recall one session, a Halloween Night session, where many had drank DXM and were drinking in celebration of monsters and ghouliez. We started to chant the phrase “The cough syrup gods, they come on Halloween.” over and over again. Of course, as with everything we did then, we recorded it [alas, the actual recording is missing now tho...]. It was an intense experience, all of use chanting in unsion, arms over each others’ shoulders. Upon listening back to the recording a short while later, and a bit higher, Derspooky, who often sang and played some bass and keyboards in Reverse Monster, actually lost his ego and forgot who he was. Re-listening to the chanting somehow pulled him out of himself. He thought he was in heaven, and then hell, and then heaven again! Of course we took care of each other, so we assured him he was safe and with friends, but this is just one example of how a very spiritual moment got wrapped up in our recording sessions, and also on tape when we played.

Coming soon: There will be 2 more albums to come of old Reverse Monster songs, Bluecat, and the combined Green-Purplecat album. These will also be provided as free streams. Also, we’ve been lucky enough to locate a long thought to be lost video tape of one of our very first show ever. It was intense. We literally tore the stage apart with our playing! But that will come soon, we’ve had to mail it out to get digitally restored as it had been left unattended in a hot, dusty attic for some years now.

Also coming soon, a roster Reverse Monster members and participators, as well as a list of all the characters featured in the Reverse Monster Universe. Everyone from the ever lovable and multi talented Jelly Belly, to the equally talented, but often thwarted by chance Porkpickle, to the angelic Gary Coleman, to the low down dirty Red Cat. I know this makes absolutely no sense at the moment. But hang in there. The ride will be confusing, but it will be worth it. We will provide all of the pieces for you bit by bit. There is a plot to it all, and once you get it, you will never come back from the world we have made for you.

Those 3 entitiez pictured above are a representation of the cough syrup godz, although they can come in many shapes and forms. Beware, they are true tricksterz.
Stay Tuned Monsterz!

For your listening pleasure, as you peruse the next installation of the Reverse Monster Bio, may we present, the first official Reverse Monster album, Red Cat.

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