How these Phoenix bands are rocking Europe this month

Europe is getting a little taste of something blistering from Phoenix and not from the ubiquitously referenced heat source, the mf-ing sun, but via some fiery and fierce rock and roll.

Garage rockers MonkeyCat are packing their bags for a series of shows that will take them to Italy and France, while sleaze monsters Puppy and the Handjobs are currently there, tearing up stages as we speak.

Frontman Puppy, aka Jamie Lamb, who’s usually disturbing the sonic peace while clad in nothing but a diaper, says it’s been a series of “wild ass shows,” as they blast it out with bands like the Chiff Chaffs from Belgium, Seattle’s Sinister Six, and Gunlocks from France at shows taking place in Belgium, France and Switzerland. “It’s been great. We’ve had some illnesses and some non-stop hassles with the van, but we’re powering through,” Lamb says.

The band also includes Suzy Hand Job (Andrew Jemsek on bass and vocals) and Bobby Hand Job (Matt Spastic on drums). Phoenix fans are well aware of their catchy, raucous garage punk songs that are ridiculously hooky despite, or maybe because of, their subject matter. “I Eat Abortions” is one of those tracks. (Go see them and see if you don’t start singing it in the shower.) “Plan 9” is another.

Lamb says going on this tour was a no-brainer. It turns out Euro rock fans were waiting for the often diaper-clad Lamb and crew to make the trip.

“Most of our fans are actually in Western Europe. Our record label, Slovenly Recordings, has really great distribution and is a big presence in the garage punk community, particularly in Europe. So, it made sense for us to come out here and try to sling our new 7-inch EP, in addition to the first two EPs,” Lamb says. Phoenix DJ Sonic Moronic - aka Melanie Reeves - joined the fellas for musical mayhem.
As Puppy and the Handjobs hit the tail end of their Euro road show, MonkeyCat is getting prepping to split, headed in the same direction. Earlier this year, the rockers – all veterans of the local music scene – released their first record as MonkeyCat. You’ve got Sharon Labor (bass, synth, guitar, vocals), Frank Labor (lead guitar, vocals), Reggie Shumway (guitar, synth, bass, vocals) and Danny Zunk (drums, backing vocals).

“Psychotic Wonderland” is the record’s title and the name of their European tour. The title and its collection of songs use a blend of blistering riffs, driving beats, and swirly, heady runs across the organ’s keys to converse about the complexities of life right now and how to use your passion not only to keep your own ship from sinking but to motivate others.

Like Puppy and the Handjobs, MonkeyCat also has a European label supporting their music and they couldn’t be more grateful for it. “Between the passion of our label, Area Pirata Records in Italy, and our own burning desire to take Psychotic Wonderland on the road, this European tour came to life, What started as a wild idea turned real through a shared love of loud music, late nights, and the magic that happens when punk energy meets power pop chaos,” Sharon Labor says.

When they’re not jetsetting in the name of rock and roll, you can catch both bands in action around the Valley regularly.