http://monkeywrenchband.com/bandblog.cfm Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:05:00 GMT http://bandzoogle.com http://monkeywrenchband.com/bandblog.cfm?feature=257544&postid=29068 I first met Jim over 30 years ago, we were both still in high school. Our schools were rivals actually, but through a mutual acquaintance I was asked to help with some “special effects” for a performance his band was giving at his school. (Fog and flash pots...Rock & Roll!) From that meeting, we eventually ended up forming a new band, and we were pretty dang good if I say so myself. I'll try to get some of the photos from those days on the website. It’s all feathered hair, Angel’s Flights, and platform heels…it looks like something straight out of That ‘70’s Show. Perhaps it would be good for some nostalgia, or even a laugh. Eventually, the band broke up and we went our separate ways. No hard feelings, it’s just the way it was. I went on to play for a number of other local bands, still holding on to the dream of a record deal and stardom. But the music scene started changing in the mid to late ‘80s, and the dream began to fade. I had some personal losses over those years, and eventually made the decision to “retire". Fast forward 20 years, and through a chance encounter with a mutual friend at Guitar Center, I ended up in touch with Jim again. I started jamming with the guys in Monkey Wrench last Fall, and as they say…the rest is history. It is such a privilege to be a part of this great band that’s been around for so long, and to work with such talented musicians. It’s amazing to go from “retired” to what I’m doing with these guys now in less than a year. Mind boggling!! We play for all the right reasons. It’s about a love for the music and for performing, and nothing else. There is a sincerity and commitment in this band that is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. Monkey Wrench is the real deal! The bass players I consider to be influences aren't necessarily the musical "geniuses" that a lot of bassists try to emulate, but rather the classic rockers who know what it takes to keep things solid and tight. Guys like Roger Glover, Jim Kale, Phil Lynott (may he rest in peace), Tom Petersson, Gene Simmons, Rudy Sarzo, and John McVie. Thanks for all the great music and the inspiration. I play Schecter and Waterstone basses, and use Gallien Krueger amplification. Classic rock bass is all about the growl, and GK knows growl.
Eventually, the band broke up and we went our separate ways. No hard feelings, it’s just the way it was. I went on to play for a number of other local bands, still holding on to the dream of a record deal and stardom. But the music scene started changing in the mid to late ‘80s, and the dream began to fade. I had some personal losses over those years, and eventually made the decision to “retire".

Fast forward 20 years, and through a chance encounter with a mutual friend at Guitar Center, I ended up in touch with Jim again. I started jamming with the guys in Monkey Wrench last Fall, and as they say…the rest is history.

It is such a privilege to be a part of this great band that’s been around for so long, and to work with such talented musicians. It’s amazing to go from “retired” to what I’m doing with these guys now in less than a year. Mind boggling!!

We play for all the right reasons. It’s about a love for the music and for performing, and nothing else. There is a sincerity and commitment in this band that is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. Monkey Wrench is the real deal!

The bass players I consider to be influences aren't necessarily the musical "geniuses" that a lot of bassists try to emulate, but rather the classic rockers who know what it takes to keep things solid and tight. Guys like Roger Glover, Jim Kale, Phil Lynott (may he rest in peace), Tom Petersson, Gene Simmons, Rudy Sarzo, and John McVie. Thanks for all the great music and the inspiration.

I play Schecter and Waterstone basses, and use Gallien Krueger amplification. Classic rock bass is all about the growl, and GK knows growl.]]> Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:05:00 GMT 4616D69AAD79C373C79324701DA012BA http://monkeywrenchband.com/bandblog.cfm?feature=257544&postid=24514 It's hard to imagine I am going on 50 years old...me and Randy our bass player have known each other since the mid 1970's (Carter was president), Brent and Scott the 80's, and now Joel in 2008.  My dad taught me my first chords, G,C, and D...he was a pro steel player with Tammy Wynette, Buck Owens and Jimmy Bryant before they were famous.  I will never forget his line...learn to play it all or don't play anything at all!  I still believe that today.  Though I'm no jazz or country player, I still try...my dad was my musical mentor and will always be...I love ya pop!! Monkey Wrench started in 1992 with Brent, Scott, me, and this skinny strange-kinda kid...our bass player named Todd Mohler (God rest his soul).  We were out to get back in the game since all of us were going through bands, work and family.  Music was in our veins, and it was time to get live music going again in and around Fresno.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be playing with three great musicians, and most of all three of my best friends. Todd had left the band in 2000, and was killed tragically in 2003.  We have had a few replacements since then, and no matter how good the others were it still makes me stop and think about Todd.  Derrick Toy was a breath of life for us, his bass playing was beyond great...it was breath taking.  But after he and his lovely wife Angie had baby number four, it was his time for him to leave us...and for good reasons.  Chris Pierce was his replacement and again we found another great, but his busy schedule in other bands and recording just made it too hard for us to grow.  Now Randy is our bass player, just like long ago, and again we feel the fire of when we were kids.  It just feels right !! This band MONKEY WRENCH is special to me for all the right reasons and then some.  We have played in front of huge crowds and then not so big crowds, played for bigs bucks and played for beer....but again and again this band keeps playing with great attitude, great musicianship...and best of all great friendship!! They put all they can into every performance...AND IT KICKS ASS!! For those who want to know, I play Marshall amps, mainly Fender strats, MXR and SD-9 pedals.  Tone is 90% fingers, 5% guitar and 5% amp.... I appreciate all of those who have followed Monkey Wrench through thick and thin...this band would not be anything without its fans!! Thank you all and will see ya soon!! Jim Eachus
Monkey Wrench started in 1992 with Brent, Scott, me, and this skinny strange-kinda kid...our bass player named Todd Mohler (God rest his soul).  We were out to get back in the game since all of us were going through bands, work and family.  Music was in our veins, and it was time to get live music going again in and around Fresno.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be playing with three great musicians, and most of all three of my best friends.

Todd had left the band in 2000, and was killed tragically in 2003.  We have had a few replacements since then, and no matter how good the others were it still makes me stop and think about Todd.  Derrick Toy was a breath of life for us, his bass playing was beyond great...it was breath taking.  But after he and his lovely wife Angie had baby number four, it was his time for him to leave us...and for good reasons.  Chris Pierce was his replacement and again we found another great, but his busy schedule in other bands and recording just made it too hard for us to grow.  Now Randy is our bass player, just like long ago, and again we feel the fire of when we were kids.  It just feels right !!

This band MONKEY WRENCH is special to me for all the right reasons and then some.  We have played in front of huge crowds and then not so big crowds, played for bigs bucks and played for beer....but again and again this band keeps playing with great attitude, great musicianship...and best of all great friendship!! They put all they can into every performance...AND IT KICKS ASS!!

For those who want to know, I play Marshall amps, mainly Fender strats, MXR and SD-9 pedals.  Tone is 90% fingers, 5% guitar and 5% amp....

I appreciate all of those who have followed Monkey Wrench through thick and thin...this band would not be anything without its fans!!

Thank you all and will see ya soon!!

Jim Eachus
]]> Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:25:00 GMT 263A6C035E56BAF4228024F2C2F07225 http://monkeywrenchband.com/bandblog.cfm?feature=257544&postid=23242 Brent Weigandt Percussion and Vocals- I have been playing in Monkey Wrench since the 90s. We are a band of seasoned rock musicians who love to have a good time. We love guitar heavy music, but also love to play all types of Rock, Dance and Classic tunes. My career in music started at age 16 with my first “real drum kit”. After keeping up with many LPs in my room, I decided to try jamming with musicians.  After a few years and few lessons, I met Scotty in RPM in the early 80s.  Our band was rocking together for over 3 years and we played all over the Fresno area. Years later, Scott and Jim contacted me and told me they got tired of playing with a drum machine. Monkey Wrench was born. For the past 15 years plus I teamed up with Scotty and Jim (and now Randy) in Monkey Wrench and it has been a great match. These guys are truly fine musicians. We have had several line ups, but we have always tried to make “The Wrench” true to the music but also bring out our own style in our performances. My drum influences are Neil Peart, John Bonham, Stewart Copeland, Tommy Aldridge, Steve Smith, and Tony Thompson to name a few. Gear: I have played Yamaha drums since the 80s. I currently perform with a PDP kit. I play both Zildjian, Paste and Sabian cymbals. I use DW hardware and pedals. I play with Vater Fusion Drumsticks. I use Audix drum microphones.
I have been playing in Monkey Wrench since the 90s. We are a band of seasoned rock musicians who love to have a good time. We love guitar heavy music, but also love to play all types of Rock, Dance and Classic tunes.

My career in music started at age 16 with my first “real drum kit”. After keeping up with many LPs in my room, I decided to try jamming with musicians.  After a few years and few lessons, I met Scotty in RPM in the early 80s.  Our band was rocking together for over 3 years and we played all over the Fresno area. Years later, Scott and Jim contacted me and told me they got tired of playing with a drum machine. Monkey Wrench was born.

For the past 15 years plus I teamed up with Scotty and Jim (and now Randy) in Monkey Wrench and it has been a great match. These guys are truly fine musicians. We have had several line ups, but we have always tried to make “The Wrench” true to the music but also bring out our own style in our performances. My drum influences are Neil Peart, John Bonham, Stewart Copeland, Tommy Aldridge, Steve Smith, and Tony Thompson to name a few.

Gear:
I have played Yamaha drums since the 80s. I currently perform with a PDP kit.
I play both Zildjian, Paste and Sabian cymbals. I use DW hardware and pedals.
I play with Vater Fusion Drumsticks. I use Audix drum microphones.
]]> Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:20:00 GMT 177C3E41E35B783ADF665B22B0D1FA91 http://monkeywrenchband.com/bandblog.cfm?feature=257544&postid=23241 Welcome to our blog.  Here we will have the band members submit their thoughts about the group, the music, or just whatever else is on their minds.  (We'll try to keep it clean!) Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:10:00 GMT D1EF3AC8A3E8B6E15143B49A3D91DB70