I wasn't there to see the Monks in the 1960's, but the 1999 Cavestomp reunion left me and a roomful of attendees (including Jim Thirlwell and Genesis P. Orridge) completely obliterated. From fellow Monktimer Eddie Shaw: "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." A banjo will never be rhythmically abused so perfectly ever again.
a sweet fellow and a banjo scratcher - i wiil miss ya dave
Posted by: kelley | January 10, 2008 at 08:05 PM
Man... It was such a personal pleasure to get to see the Monks play up in Bemidji last winter. Dave hung around and talked to all of us for hours, and was so genuinely excited there were all these kids who drove up from MPLS to see them play and freaked out to their songs. Total mega bummer. I consider myself very lucky to get to have seen The Monks play.
Posted by: M St-Germain | January 10, 2008 at 08:23 PM
what a very nice man he was.
glad Dave lived to see how important THE MONKS are to folks who love great music..
RIP, our dear friend.
Posted by: Jerny | January 10, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Dave,
When you took the stage with The Monks in Vegas a few years back it was literally like experiencing the creation of man, earth, and sound. You had the biggest smile on your face from ear-to-ear for the entire set as you tortured that banjo for our collective pleasure and clearly your own. I've never felt more love and heart coming off of a stage and a pick strum. Thanks so much for the single most fantastic rock n roll experience of my life. You are the greatest. RIP friend.
Jeff Feuerzeig
Posted by: Jeff Feuerzeig | January 12, 2008 at 11:06 AM
If you're interested Dietmar Post's and Lucia Palacio's Monks doc is available as video on demand:
http://www.realeyz.tv/Monks-%E2%80%93-The-Transatlantic-Feedback_cont1265.html
Posted by: groove68 | September 28, 2009 at 03:39 PM