Ready to take the next step forward, the Columbus band Monkeynut launches its newest album “Faces,” tonight with a CD release show at the Alrosa Villa, 5055 Sinclair Rd.
Monkeynut consists of four members: Randy Leitwein, vocals; Brian Leitwein, guitars; Mark Lancia, bass; and Alan Weiss, drums.
The group has strong ties to Ohio State. Lancia is a senior in industrial systems engineering, and Weiss, a compliance auditor for a collection agency, graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
The band members describe themselves as a “high energy, melodic power groove band,” or as Lancia said “a combination of Staind and Pantera with a twist.”
What sets Monkeynut apart from other bands though are its live performances. Dressed in uniforms, the band plays under black lights which set off the glow in the dark paint worn on the bodies and faces of the band members.
“The lights are shining out of us,” Lancia said.
“We’ve been doing this since 1996,” Weiss said. “It’s entertaining.”
In an effort to make the show as exciting as possible for fans, the group’s heavily animated performances are one of its trademarks, although its approach has drawn some criticism.
“We get a lot of flak for our live shows. A lot of bands don’t have the balls to do what we do.”
Both Weiss and Lancia agreed that performing live is what the group enjoys the most, especially because of the rapport the group has established with its fans.
“It’s a weird friendship, it’s really cool,” Lancia said.
Still, the life an unsigned band trying to make it is never easy. It does not help having to work a day job or go to school along with promoting the band.
“We’ve been doing this for so long,” Lancia said. “It’s a slow progression.”
“It takes a lot of time and energy. The most frustrating thing is getting the music in the hands of the right people,” Weiss said. “We’re ready to take that next step.”
Both agreed, though, that in the end, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Originally formed in 1992 as Dominion, the group was created when Weiss moved to Columbus as a freshman and answered an ad in a local music store. That ad introduced Weiss to the Leitwein brothers.
In 1996 the group’s original bass player left, and after auditioning several candidates the remaining members chose Lancia. As a result of trademark dispute and a lengthy court process, the group chose to become Monkeynut in May of 1998.
Lancia said the group was looking through the dictionary when the name “dominion” randomly appeared. Several months later, after more problems because of the trademark dispute the group decided to change its name to Monkeynut.
“It’s not a name you’re going to forget,” Lancia said.
“Faces” is the groups third independently released album. The album illustrates how the band has progressed over the past few years, expanding beyond the genre constricting confines of heavy metal.
“It’s our best music yet,” Weiss said.
“It’s a pretty diverse album,” Lancia said.
On the album, the band starts out strong with high intensity songs, such as “Just a Dream,” before slowing things down with songs like “Swollen,” which combine a piano with Randy Leitwein’s thoughtful and profound lyrics.
The group mixes things up throughout the album, from fast tempo songs that highlight the group’s instrumentalists, to songs like “Losing,” which accentuate Randy Leitwein’s vocals.
“Faces” will be released tonight and will be available at Singing Dog Records, 1630 N. High St., as well as several other local music stores.
Monkeynut will be performing tonight at the Alrosa Villa. Tickets are available for $6. The event is for all ages.
