OC Music Magazine

Judy Brunkala

     Their sound has been compared to the Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox 20, and Collective Soul, but according to Tony Cockram, guitarist, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter for the Blue Powda Monkeys, that was probably in the band’s acoustic days, and was reflected on their first cd, Sol Grill.                                                                

     “I very rarely play acoustic guitar any more.  In fact, we just have one song right now that I play acoustic on.”  Cockram said. He is an original member of the band, as is  bassist and vocalist Jeff Montgomery.

     The change in their sound is due mainly to the addition of two members to the group:  Randy Allen, lead guitarist and vocalist, and Dave Niemeyer, drummer.  Together, the four band members have combined their talents to bring a harder rock edge to their music in the vein of Audioslave, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, and the vocal harmonies of Alice in Chains.

     Cockram started the group about 10 years ago, after leaving a songwriter’s association he’d been attending in Newport Beach, where he’d been writing songs for other singers and musicians.  Although he’d had no formal music training, he was encouraged by people who recognized his talent to go out and play the songs himself.  

     Cockram was born in England, and moved to California in 1990.  He became a United States citizen in 2006. His powerful vocals are one of the driving forces of the band.  He is a self-described huge fan of the band Queen, and while one day singing along with “March of the Black Queen”, in which the lyrics include a reference to blue powder monkeys, Cockhram said the phrase, “just kinda jumped out, slapped me in the face and said, ‘Pick me! Pick me!’”  The phrase was slightly modified, and the band was named. 

     One of the first members to be chosen by Cockhram was bassist Jeff Montgomery, a native Californian and business school graduate.  He’s invested much of his life in his love of music and he’s no stranger to the textbook side of the art.

     “I played in a jazz band in high school and college, so you gotta study music,” he said.

     Montgomery brings long-perfected bass, harmony, and keyboard styles to the band.  In the late ‘90s, Cockram, Montgomery, and the other band members played the Hollywood club scene, but found it discouraging .

     “We spent hundreds of dollars just to play.  I don’t know about now, but back then, the music scene in L.A. wasn’t very supportive.  You’d go to have four or five bands play and people would show up just to see their band and then leave, and there’s no real support.  I don’t know if other cities are like that, but L. A. has been, or it has been in the past, really bad like that.  There’s no community support—bands don’t really support each other. It’s brutal.”  Montgomery said.

     In the years that followed, band personnel changed, but Cockram’s and Montgomery’s vision remained clear:  to write great songs and perfect the band’s sound.

     With the addition of Randy Allen in 2004 and Dave Niemeyer in 2007, the band became the Blue Powda Monkeys as it is today.

     Allen grew up in Orange County and now lives in San Pedro.  His passion for music began at an early age, leading him to take private guitar lessons beginning at age 10.  This passion has also led him to play guitar over the past 20 years in numerous bands from Las Vegas to San Diego, Orange County, and all over Los Angeles. His rock lead guitar style and vocal harmonies deeply enrich the band’s sound.  He also gives private guitar lessons to students in Pacific Palisades.    According to the band’s website, Allen is a direct descendent of the founding father and second president of the United States, John Adams.

     Niemeyer has always had a drive for musical accomplishments and an affinity for the drums.  Born in Illinois, he also began his musical career early by playing drums at a very early age.  As he grew, his thirst for knowledge and experience in the music field grew.  His extensive education in music has earned him the title of Music Professor.  Currently, he is the Band Director at a high school located in Downey, where in the Band Room, the Blue Powda Monkeys rehearse and perfect their musical, vocal, and songwriting abilities one night a week.  Because of Niemeyer’s position at the school, the band now has a reliable, cost-effective place to rehearse.  Neimeyer’s hard-driving drumming style adds to the band’s uniqueness.

     Though each of the band members currently has “day jobs,” (Montgomery and Cockram work as production managers at a chemical company)  their goal is to be able to make a living playing music full time.

     But today, as in the late ‘90s, Cockram said most venues require that bands “pay to play”—they are required to sell a certain number of tickets to their show in order to play at that particular venue.

     “It’s just wrong, and it’s unfortunate.” Cockram said.  “It’s killing the music scene in this town because half the places you call nowadays require that.  And I understand why they’re doing it, because they need to bring people in, but I think there’s more creative ways to do it.  When you’ve got the Internet, and you’ve got all kinds of places to advertise and all that kind of stuff, there’s better ways to do it than force the bands to do it.” 

     He stated that what the Blue Powda Monkeys needs is really just a matter of being able to be heard on a larger scale, without the pay to play scenario.

     The band is currently deciding whether to put out a 13- or 14-song cd which reflects their new style, or to make a very good quality 3- or

4-song demo cd from those new songs to use for promotional purposes.

     Do the Blue Powda Monkeys have the drive to stick together for the long haul?

   You bet.

   One reason is the group has achieved a certain “musical maturity” over the years they’ve played together.  They are also comfortable with each other, they’re willing to compromise to achieve the best possible song, and they have balance in their lives.

     Another reason is they share a common goal for the group.

     “What we focus on now is trying to get the music as tight, as good as we can.”  Cockram explained.  “If we like it, then hopefully other people will like it.  That’s what we work the hardest on.”

     “And then share it with as many people as possible,” Montgomery added.

     The Blue Powda Monkeys will play at DiPiazza’s in Long Beach Friday, April 30th.  Check out the band’s website, and contact Tony Cockram about upcoming shows at  www.bluepowdamonkeys.com  and www.myspace.com/bluepowdamonkeys

Images Courtesy of the Blue Powda Monkeys