Free website - Wix.com
"This Pennsylvania band is the monster act of the East Coast." - Named Revolver Raw Talent by Revolver Magazine
Initially a Pennsylvania based cover band, things began to change for the 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 (Happily Never After, 2006) 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, www.thepoptartmonkeys.com , local radio began playing one of the unfinished tracks, "Valerie." When the band put a few finishing touches on the unrefined tracks, they embarked on an ambitious tour. The band's project began to strike a populist chord.
On the strength of the energy, harmonies, and explosiveness of their live shows, the band received several offers for better gigs. Before they knew it, the Poptart Monkeys were the supporting act for the likes of 3 Doors Down, Alien Antfarm, Bowling For Soup, Breaking Benjamin, Saliva, SR-71, Sum 41, Yellowcard, and in January of 2009, Trust Company and Saving Abel.
Following a year of extensive touring in the north, midwest and southeastern United States, the band finished a controversial second place behind a hip hop act in Bodog Music's $1 Million Battle of the Bands (semi-final round, December 2006).
It then became clear that the Poptart Monkeys were no longer a little Pennsylvania cover band; they had become a bonafide regional powerhouse. Still, many believe that the band is destined for even greater heights.
This new direction is a blank page and a fresh start, as the band continues improving. 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.
And that's exactly what PTM did. Due to their rising popularity in the southern U.S., the band left their homes in Pennsylvania and re-located to Jacksonville Fl, to prepare for the "Count to Zero" tour, promoting their fifth album, "Count to Zero", which was recorded under the direction of producer John Ryan (Styx, Animotion, etc) at Steakhouse Studios in Hollywood California. The new album is already creating a buzz throughout radio stations, fans, and record companies. Due out in February of 2009, "Count to Zero" is and album in which 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. With songs such as "Always Wrong", written about an abusive household, "Choke Yourself", "Hometown", and "Over and Out", the band calls off all rules and slams the listener in the chest with a dose of straight ahead rock and roll.
Along with manager Mike Regan (Extreme) and producer John Ryan, the band plans to tour all over the country, promoting "Count to Zero", and showing people that they are ready to become a staple in the ever-so-difficult music world.
Indeed, their story has just begun.
Updated 2/17/07
Visitors Map
What the Press says...
"The new lineup is gung-ho to tour long and hard, including new drummer, Brandon Osborn from Indiana. [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."
Online Now!
