Monster Island

secret Masonic MOCAD flyer

"Monster Island formed in early 1995 during the full moon of a Ghost concert at Alvin's cafe in Detroit. Founding members were Matthew Smith, Erika Hoffmann , Warn Defever and Cary Loren. They have been described as a folk version of DAM. Their first concert was at the Hare Krishna temple/ Fisher mansion in Detroit. They performed seated on the floor and played along with screaming peacocks. Each performance is a new chance to create a dystopian theatrical vortex. Monster Island thrives on the awkward chance and playing for animals in fields of flowers. Monster Island is attracted to Voudou, Island myths, Antonin Artaud, psychics, puppetry, paleocybernetics, comic books, tribal chanting and a mixture folk and popular art forms.
The group creates a simplified and sometimes confusing mix of world/ folks/ pop/ & electronic sound. They often perform and record with a changing mix of musicians depending on the project. Monster Island is not a band in any conventional sense. It is a variant on the idea of the living theater -- a changing social/political landscape of folk, religious & street rituals derived from themes and topics that enhance psychedelic experience, resistance and subversive behavior.
Monster Island is a Haiku death poem.
Monster Island is an electronic shamanic dream weapon.
Monster Island is not part of the psychedelic folk revival.
"...enter the Monster Island vortex and float into peace." --KOPBF Vol. IV, "Obscure Psychedelic Rarities Reviewed" Antwerp, 2001
Monster Island has released the following albums: "From the Michigan Floor" - a vinyl only release on Ecstatic Peace/ Father Yod/ End is Here, (recorded from 1995). "Live in Detroit" a ltd. edition CDR in handmade box on Time Stereo in 1999, two CDs; "Dream Tiger" and "Peyotemind" (with John Sinclair) released in 2001 on the bands End is Here label, and "Children of Mu" also on End is Here. A new album "Club Mozambique" is planned for release soon on Ruby Red Editoria, in Portugal.
A film of Monster Island concerts and animated collages is in preparation.
"Instrumentally it is a combination of a 70's psychfolk inspiration, sparsely combined with some newer underground pop influences. The mixture of instruments is impressive and is very nice to hear : oud, sitar, tanpura, harmonium, shakuhachi, djembe, gamelan, guitars, bass, cello, flute, drums, Chinese organ, water harp, mini-moog, gongs. I only wished I heard their contributions a bit more. At first, I was slightly puzzled by the combination of influences, of the 80's acoustic underground pop, like in the singing in a few songs with the more dreamy psych folk, for I never thought anyone would ever combine these two worlds. But the more I listened to the CD, the more I liked what they did. More than one song, like "Halloween" sounds close to the Fit and Limo style. I found it an interesting release. B.T. found it more child-like in its spiritual context, but I didn't care. "Peyotemind" mostly based upon a writing from John Sinclair, was written and recorded under influence of Peyote. The CD also contribute his vocals. Peyotemind" is more free jazz (Alice Coltrane,..) inspired. Some of the vocals overload the compositions ; the track with live vocals works best. Interesting. Source:from Psychedelic Folk Homestead Members from Destroy all monsters, Outrageous Cherry, Volebeats celebrate their gentle and deep acid folk. 2nd album by Detroit area group feat. Cary Loren (Destroy All Monsters), Warn Defever (His Name Is Alive), Erika Hoffman (ex-Godzuki) and Matt Smith (Volebeats). Acid/folk project, gentle psychedelic songs recorded with lots of ethnic folk instruments (oud, sitar, harmonium, djembe, gamelan gender) and mixed with the traditional equipment (guitars, bass, violin, flute, drums).Posted by Mutant Sounds
A new album, "Children of Mu" was released in 2007. Children of Mu and other Monster Island music can be purchased online at THE BOOK CAVE & ETERNAL MU CRAB GODDESS CAFE
Monster Island has been performing a iive shadow theater production of "Children Mu" called "Rehearsal for the Destruction of Mu" with lightshow projections and artist designed shadow puppets. A film version of these live performances is now being edited. Stay Tuned for Psychotic Bees Presents: Stroboscopic Shadows & The Death-Eye Theater Zine.