Bitten By Monkeys

Live at The Unicorn Marden, Saturday 20th October 2012

Back in July I had my first look and listen to Bitten By Monkeys after being told of their previous successful sessions at The Unicorn. I wasn’t disappointed and now having seen them a second time I’m confident that every time they turn up in Marden, we can go and enjoy the evening as if it was the first time.

I don’t think the actual set changed that much, opening up with Free’s Wishing Well and going into the break with Springsteen’s Born to Run. Tina Turner’s Steamy Windows seems an odd choice for an all-male band, but it went down well and their rendition of the INXS number, Never Tear Us Apart (wonderfully covered by Paloma Faith recently) brought a change of pace and a sense of humour from the audience as the lighters were raised.

I like the way that the lead singer steps away from the stage (although it’s not exactly a stage!) during the instrumental sessions to allow the instrumentalists and the young drummer their moment in the spotlight, because he really is pretty good!

A rousing end to the evening was brought about with Robert Palmer’s Doctor, Doctor and, let’s face it, if you finish with the Beatles you ain’t going to leave folk disappointed. A Little Help From My Friends was exactly what Bitten By Monkeys got from their audience.

Bitten By Monkeys

Live at The Unicorn Marden, Saturday 1st July 2012


I have a theory about bands that do the pub circuit, if you see a couple of over-50s fronting up then you are in for a good night. This is obviously because they are going to play the music of my generation and Bitten By Monkeys did not disappoint.

The old rockers in this band, Algie and Alan Hall, were backed by a couple of youngsters playing drums and organ. The young drummer, Tim, is the son of Alan and he came into his own with some superb improvisation when a power failure left the landlord scurrying around to repair the fault.

Bitten By Monkeys are old friends of the Unicorn and had their audience in the palm of their hands with an early rendition of Free’s Wishing Well, whilst any opportunity to hear Springsteen’s Born To Run is going to be highly appreciated by yours truly.

Enjoyable renditions of Unchained Heart, Sweet Home Chicago and Summer in the City kept the audience’s feet tapping until the night was brought to an end with a ballad, of which I can’t remember the tune, I really must take a pen and paper!

Algie signed off by telling us that if we have enjoyed the evening then we’ve been Bitten By Monkeys and we most certainly were.