Dave "Day" Havlicek, the beloved electric banjo player of outfit the Monks, passed away yesterday (January 10).
The Monks' official website simply lists the date of Havlicek's death with a message that says, "Play that banjo in heaven, d.d. We'll miss you."
However, a post on WFMU's Beware of the Blog quotes fellow Monk Eddie Shaw as saying, "Two days before the birthday of his hero, Elvis, Dave Day of the Monks suffered a heart attack and massive brain injury. He has been taken off the life support system today. His work is done."
The members of the Monks started out as five American soldiers stationed in Germany in the 1960s. After leaving the military, they stayed in Germany to continue their career as a band. In 1966, the Monks released their only album, the cult classic Black Monk Time. They broke up a year later but reunited to tour in the '90s.
Since then, they have been the subject of a documentary and a tribute compilation, the latter featuring the likes of the Fall, the Raincoats, the Gossip, Faust, and Mouse on Mars. Their song "Monk Time" appeared at #165 on Pitchfork's list of "The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s". Known as much for their image (the members sported the outfits and haircuts of real monks) as their raw sound, the Monks have been hailed as one of the bands that influenced the style and sound of punk rock.
January 13, 2008
from Mee O: R.I.P. Dave Day of the Monks
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2 comments:
I remember when I first heard and heard of the Monks. It was one of those magic music moments that are equal parts supreme excitement and "you've got to be fucking kidding me--no way." Somehow it's probably true that only Americans could have made that Black Monk Time album, and only Americans living in Germany would have made it. "I Hate You" is my favorite.
TC, Aaron Carroll and Chris Smith have probably turned me on to more bands that I like than everyone else in the world put together. With The Monks, it was Aaron.
the event prompting this clip is sad, but this footage is undeniable. i first learned of the monks via the fall's middle class revolt record where they covered shut up. mark e smith would never be able to pull off the fall with just himself and your grandma on bongos without a few key influences. the list includes can, the stooges, merle haggard, the sex pistols, captain beefheart, lee perry, and the monks.
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