The Monks

The Monks (also known as Monks), were an American rock band formed in Gelnhausen, West Germany, in 1964. Assembled by five American GIs stationed in the country, the group grew tired of the traditional format of rock, which motivated them to forge a highly experimental style characterized by an emphasis on rhythm over melody, augmented by a heavy use of distortion.

The band blended shrill vocals, anti-Vietnam war lyrics, guitar feedback, and a six-string banjo into a sound that music critics later recognized as prefiguring the punk rock movement. The band's appearance was considered as shocking as their music, mimicking the look of Catholic monks by wearing black habits, cinctures, and styling medieval tonsure haircuts. Local newspapers at the time labelled the band "the anti-Beatles". In March 1966, they released their sole studio album, Black Monk Time, via Polydor Records, with the help of a German management team, alongside their single "Complication" backed with "Oh, How to Do Now". However, the album and additional singles issued throughout 1966 and 1967 achieved limited success which led to the group disbanding.

During the 1990s to early 2000s, the band acquired a cult following as a result of newfound interest in Black Monk Time. They were subsequently featured on several compilation albums, most notably the 1998 expanded version of Nuggets. This resurgence was followed by all five of the original band members holding a reunion concert at the Cavestomp festival in New York City on November 5, 1999, which was followed by sporadic touring in the 2000s. They have been cited as an influence by notable artists such as Jello Biafra, Jay Reatard, Mark E. Smith, Lenny Kaye, Krist Novoselic, Ira Kaplan, Jack White, Jon Spencer, Iggy Pop, and the Beastie Boys.