The Apes emerged from the wet, heavy jungle of Washington DC in 1999 to command the rock subculture. Their modus: uniting great warlords, absorbing rogue factions, and educating red-handed guerilla bands with a passionately wayward rock signal.

Propelled by Erick Jackson’s burning, fur-lined bass growls, Amanda Kleinman’s horny and celestial banshee organ, and Jeff Schmid’s iron-chest-of-cocaine drums, throat chieftain Joe Halladay (following in the footsteps of original vocalist Paul Weil) channels the kaleidoscopic eye and children’s black tears into the hearts of all. This overdriven rock assault drives forward as tales of conquest, social alienation, and a perverse spiritual kinship with the universe become trance-inducing incantations. Great armies of spectators prostrate themselves; the overcrowded brains of headphone astronauts are penetrated. Ultimately, a shared enthusiasm for the new aesthetic treasures of Ape magic and sound fury overtakes all. — E.B.

[Majestic Ape]

Ape Amanda
Weapon: Hammond B-3
Cover: Tutor
[Jackie Magik]

Ape Erick
Weapon: S.D. Curley Bass
Cover: Artist
[Ronald Wolf]

Ape Jeff
Weapon: Magical, clear drums
Cover: Shut-in
[Midnight Joe]

Ape Joe
Weapon: Larynx
Cover: Web Designer