Sunday Music: The Monks

Dressed in black, with heads shaved like medieval monks, the rock group The Monks may have seemed, at least to the general public, like a novelty act. Formed by U.S. servicemen stationed in Germany during the mid-60's, the group faced some limitations in their ability to look like actual rockers. Thus, the tonsures.

Musically, The Monks were far from a novelty act, and are still cited as early influences of both garage and punk. Dave Day, who played the banjo in the following clip, passed away from a heart attack in January, 2008. I assure you that you will never view the instrument as homespun or folky ever again...this is some aggressive banjo-playing.

The Monks live in Germany 1965, performing "Complication"