"This Pennsylvania band is the monster act of the East Coast." - Named Revolver Raw Talent by Revolver Magazine, May 2005
Initially a local Pennsylvania cover band, things began to change for the Harrisburg, PA-based Poptart Monkeys when the band found Tyson Clark (lead vocals/sometime drummer) in 2003.
The band traveled to Atlanta to write and record a new album at the legendary Tree Studios. The initial recording sessions were loose and spontaneous, capturing the band's live energy. The band collaborated on 13 new songs with Hugo Ferreira (Tantric).
After the band posted a few MP3s on their website (ptmmusic.com), local radio began playing one of the unfinished tracks, "Valerie." When the band put a few finishing touches on the unrefined tracks, they filmed and financed a music video that began to gain traction with FUSE and MTV2. Soon after, the group embarked on an ambitious tour. The band's project began to strike a populist chord.
On the strength of their live shows and growing fan base, the band began getting better gigs. Before they knew it, the Poptart Monkeys were opening for the likes of 3 Doors Down, Alien Antfarm, Bowling For Soup, Breaking Benjamin, Saliva, SR-71, and Sum 41.
The finished record, a concept album about love, loss, and growing up, was titled "Happily Never After" and released nationwide in November 2005 to heightened expectations. The band played roof-raising gigs to packed houses at infamous venues such as CBGB's in New York, the Trocadero in Philadelphia, and Scarlett's in Hollywood, Florida. Major label interest was growing, but ultimately the band did not find a home.
Following a year of extensive touring in the north, midwest and southeastern United States, the band finished a controversial second place in Bodog Music's $1 Million Battle of the Bands (semi-final round, December 2006).
It became clear that something needed to change. The Poptart Monkeys were no longer a little Pennsylvania cover band, they had become a bonafide regional powerhouse. Still, many believe the band is destined for even greater heights. In the interest of changing things up, the band amicably parted ways with original member Rob Hampton and started on a new direction, auditioning over 100 new drummers before choosing Jason Massey.
This new direction is a blank page and a fresh start, as the band continues improving and begins to record its next album. The group's atmospheric textures and lunging riffs compliment Clark's emotionally revealing lyrics, which range from breathy and beautiful to scathing and aggressive, with a twist of irony. With their tight knit chemistry and infectious hooks, PTM is turning heads and leaving crowds wanting more.
"We're just so grateful," says guitarist/vocalist Chris Kurtz. "We really pour our hearts into this band and the music. All of the time together on the road has really helped us grow and discover our sound as a group. As a result, when we go back into the studio, we should have a stronger sense of what we want to accomplish."
And that's exactly what PTM did. Their upcoming fifth album, "Count to Zero", is already creating a buzz throughout radio stations, fans, and record companies. Due out in October, "Count to Zero" is the first release with the new lineup changes. This time around, Poptart Monkeys went back to their roots, writing what came from their influences, and creating an album full of energy and progressive movement. It truly is a new chapter in the decade of rock and roll, brought to you by Poptart Monkeys.
Indeed, their story has just begun.
Updated 2/17/07
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What the Press says...
"The new lineup is gung-ho to tour long and hard, including new drummer, Jason Massey of Philadelphia. Massey toured heavily with his previous bands across the country. [Chris] Kurtz is excited for a big push with a fresh group of musicians ready to hit not just the road, but the studio. The band has been writing more since adding Matt Lytkowski at lead guitar and Kurtz says they have two songs in the pipe already for the next CD. He believes the songs are much more progressive in the guitar category. The songs 'Blue' and 'Choke Yourself' are currently being worked into the live show.
Asked if the sound would change with the new lineup, Kurtz responded, 'Over the years, the sound has gone from heavy to soft, to heavy to soft. I think our last album was the 'I fell in love with a girl and here’s all the sappy songs I have to tell you about.' Now we have a bit of a more progressive lineup, a heavier lineup, so who knows what is going to happen when we get in the studio? I hate to predict that, but I think it’s going to be a little heavier.'"
"The intensity of a live concert can hardly be matched, and Tallahassee is a hotbed of music venues continually supplying its college population with a variety of bands from week to week. Potbelly's Tuesday nights are about to get hotter as up-and-coming pop-rock band Poptart Monkeys swings into town in the middle of its national tour this spring."
"All it takes is one person to spread the word that the Poptart Monkeys are coming to Tallahassee for a show, and the lines at the door are dreadfully long and the dance floor is suddenly crowded... They have the tendency to say what they feel on stage and never hold back. It's no coincidence that these guys are the most requested group at Potbelly's."
"Highlights of the day include [Bam] Margera parking his infamous hummer on the house's front lawn, [Brandon] Novak, Margera's friend, walking around on stage naked because he was "too hot," and Tyson Clark, the lead singer of the Poptart Monkeys who sang an entire song while crowd surfing."
"When you've got friends over... you can go from The Doors to Poptart Monkeys to Green Day without raising an eyebrow. Oh, and by the way, 'We Should' is absolutely one of the best rock ballads I've ever heard."
