“Monks–The Transatlantic Feedback,” will be showing at the Gene Siskel Film Center from Friday until Tuesday (12/26 to 12/30). Thirty years before alternative became a retarded marketing buzzword; decades before mopey indie rock became the anthem of Jetta commercials; years ahead of the Ramones and the Sex Pistols and Sonic Youth; there was the Monks: a gang of American GIs who shaved their heads like monks and devised their own abrasive, rhythmic, anti-pop sound, making ingenious use of banjo, electric organ, and unhinged vocals with lyrics like:
Well I hate you baby with a passion, yeah, you know I do
(But call me!)
Oh, you know my hate’s everlasting baby yeah, yeah, yeah
(But call me!)
Here’s a picture of front-Monk Gary Burger performing with the Goblins (yes, that masked longhair is none other than The Phantom Creeper) in 2006.
Update: Do you know what GI stands for–as in GI Joe? Galvanized iron, according to many Internet sources. Anyone out there have a real source for that?
GI = government issue
As in, government-issued boots, helmet, etc. to the soldiers.
Could I get some corroboration on this, anyone?
Gastro intestinal
MONKS: THE TRANSATLANTIC FEEDBACK
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yeah, and “jeep” is short for GP, as in, general purpose vehicle, but what’s humvee mean? Human vehicle?