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Our debut was recorded in November of 1996 at the Speed Semen Clove Factory in North Hollywood, California by Michael Rozen. The line-up for this extended player was James on guitar and vocals, Bret on bass and backing vocals, and Sidmizer on drums. Initially titled "Love Is... The Kung Fu Monkeys!" the title was simplified to eponymous by the cover artist Rob Babonni. This actually turned out to be a good thing, as that January the Mr. T Experience released their "Love Is Dead" album, and pretty much corned the market on that phrase. The production on the record is a little canned, but the architecture for the Kung Fu Monkey sound was designed here. The clean guitars and doubled vocals, though practically inaudible, are present.

A little fun fact about the record: the surf-guitar line during the bridge of "Arizona" was played on one of Michael Rozan's guitars, a beat-up Fender Telecaster which he custom designed using old teeth, his wife's hair, and a glass-encased vile of blood--adding a slightly dark edge to the sugar and spice sound of the combo

"I love this record! This band has such a neat sound. It's like a Pansy Division or Smugglers thing, even with that "clapping" from the Archies....Remarkable debut record." - Greta S, Maximum RockNRoll

"...endearing, like puppy love. If ya like yer pop bubblegum sweet, this is yer stuff." - Reflex, Flipside

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This record was made at Saddle Tramp Studios in New York City by Richie Basic on a gorgeous Saturday in May 1997. Joining James (vocals, clean guitar, solos) on this extended player were the members of Egghead.: Mike Faloon on drums, Johnny Reno on rhythm guitar (the dirty one) and vocals, and John Bowie on hollow-body bass and vocals.

The record, initially titled "The Refreshing New Sounds of Summer," was devised to be a tribute to the sunny and ridiculously naive pop of the pre-psychedelic era, as performed by the Beach Boys, the Archies, and of course Herman's Hermits, whom we cover. Timbo at Mutant Pop dug the record, but thought that the season specific title would consign it to a very short life in the proverbial record bins, so it was retitled "Shindig!" (with "Getting Along Famously With The Kung Fu Monkeys" nabbing a close second). The term is an outmoded synonym for party, and also the title of a 60s music-revue program which had the fine privilege of debuting Herman's Hermits to American television audiences. It is also an apt description of how fun it was to make this record.

If all the Queer's songs were super bubblegum pop, they would be the Kung Fu Monkeys. Very catchy, very dorky, and a bit lo-fi, this 7" is sure to shake up your next sock hop" - MD, Punk Planet

"Great garage punk that's not ridiculously produced.... I love this." - Lance Hahn, Maximum RockNRoll

"A big fat A+.... songs that Herman's Hermits and the Archies would have been proud to play." - Josh Rutledge, PeePee

Truly pop oriented gold!... You'll think you are listening to some 60's pop band that your parents listened to. Absolutely excellent!" - Schuell

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Side NYC:
"Hats Off To Hawaii"
"Holiday In Waikiki" (R. Davies)
"Christmas In Hawaii" (Lilioukalani)

The three songs on the Kung Fu Monkeys' side were recorded with the wise and talented William Gilmore Webber at Fun House Studios, NYC, June 20, 1998. The Sticklers have been friends with the Kung Fu Monkeys since the release of our debut record. In the spring of 1997, just a week after recording "Shindig!" Dave Stickler (visiting the east coast from Hawaii) and I went to see Boris the Sprinkler and Furious George play an amazing set at Coney Island High, NYC.

The idea behind our three songs is pretty obvious, they are all about Hawaii. "Hats Off To Hawaii" is our tribute to the 50th State, and meant to be both educational and fun! "Holiday In Waikiki" was chosen by Mike, our resident Kinks fan. The song is perhaps one of the whiniest rock numbers put to wax, and we did little to change it, except add a little of Dick Dale's "Miserlou" to the ending. The basic premise of the song is that a pale-faced mod wins a trip to the greatest state in the union, and does nothing but complain about things. While the band does not agree with Ray Davies sentiments, we do enjoy the odd surf meets mod meets Eastern Mysticism arrangement. The final cut is a Hawaiian classic penned by none other than Hawaiian Nationalist and role model Queen Lilioukalani. We added jingle bells, maracas, and a Kurt Bloch inspired guitar harmony, and retitled it "Christmas In Hawaii."

"Wow! Goofy pop bands...the Kung Fu Monkeys pull it of (and quite well) with a nerdy Mutant Pop style sound. Cleverly, all of their songs are about Hawaii, home of the Sticklers..." - Pete Avery, Maximum RockNRoll

"This is a treat. The Hawaiian combo the Sticklers deliver some great poppy, yet punky tunes, refreshing as a tropical fruit drink, and KFM go all out with their salute to the 50th state, that I feel the tourist bureau should license." - Flamin' Waymon Timbsdayle, King Of Reviewland, Roctober

"The Sticklers clock in with a few sloppy punky poppy songs about girls and other fun stuff. The Kung Fu Monkeys have Hawaii on the brain on this record—which seems appropriate since The Sticklers are from there. It's like a cross-Pacific dedication. Anyway, the Monkeys play melodic, wimpy surf rock with some garage tendencies." - The Unknown Reviewer, Punk Planet

Recorded at Fun House Studios, NYC, April 11, 1998, this record is the bands most ambitious to date. The players are James on guitar, vocals, farfisa, and bells; Chris Mazer on bass and backing vocals, and Mike Faloon on drums. The farfisa line on "Office Surfer" was performed by John Ross "88 Fingers" Bowie.

"Hi-fi at Low Tide" is supposed to be a mini-soundtrack for a Frankie and Annette beach movie. The record leads-off with "Office Surfer," an invitation to abandon the troubles and stresses of work-a-day life for the care-free pleasures of a day at the beach. "Let's Go (to Pasadena to meet your parents)!" is a song about new love, and driving in station wagons, (or at least that's how I picture it) that I wrote for my Californian sweet-heart. The closing track is the band's theme song/pop manifesto/advertisement "The Kung Fu Monkeys are America's Favorite Band!!!" The goal with this song was to create a kind of audio cereal box, a celebration of packaging, that could just as easily be sung by Frankie as a member of the Rat Finks. I wrote it on the subway coming home from work, and drew a great deal of inspiration for the lyrics from the schmaltzy comedy and bright colors of "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in."

"Fun, fun stuff. Etherized vocals all the way around that had me thinking there was an Annette heading this Beach Blanket Bingo, but it's all Frankies. Take 7/9ths Beach Boys, 4/72nds Ramones, 12/72nds an all-girl surfpop band from the 50's that I have no way of naming, and the rest is taking hits off the balloon-filling helium at your local party supplies store, getting light-headed, stealing boxes of goldfish crackers because your naughty like that, and you've got a good feeling for this "if AM had any sense of humor or balls" band. A little slab of black vinyl sunshine. If you like your pop funny as hell with a completely straight face, snatch this up. To quote them, it's full of "spunk, pizzazz, and heart." - Todd, Flipside

"It's the Beach Boys, reincarnated as teenagers who used to listen to Screeching Weasel. This is total surf rock, with lyrics about surfing and everything. How cute. The music is charming and fun, especially "The Kung Fu Monkeys Are America's Favorite Band." - Scott MacDonald, Punk Planet

"The Kung Fu Monkeys are master craftsmen of pure bubblegum pop music... Hi-fi at Low Tide serves up three more sugary spoonfuls of the tastiest pop in the land. " - Josh Rutledge, Now Wave

"Another fine release from Mutant Pop, again Kung Fu Monkeys come up with a bubblegum gem of a 7 inch. Three songs, all owing much to mid sixties bands like the Dave Clark Five and Herman's Hermits. Treble abounds on the guitars, and the high pitched vocals of singer James Cahill make them even more endearing. Where did these New Yorkers learn so much about surfing?" - Steve, Shredding Paper

"Just give these guys their own cartoon already! This joyous, perky, pop makes most Saturday morning animated combos sound like... I don't know, an 80's syndicated toy shilling cartoon like G.I. Joe or Pound Puppies. If GI Joe or Pound Puppies played instruments. KFM also win dust sleeve of the year. showing them sitting in a bedroom, listening to pop 7" records on a ceramic needle toy Disney turntable, reading Roctober."
- Flamin' Waymon Timbsdayle, King Of Reviewland, Roctober

"As stated on the sleeve, 'pure pop.'" - Dr. Dante, Maximum RockNRoll

Side A:
“I Miss the Ramones”

Side B:
“Somebody Put Something in my Ovaltine”
“Merry Christmas I Don't Want to Fight”

Recorded at NY Hed Studios, NYC, December 12, 1998, this import extended player is both a bug music manifesto and tribute to bug pioneers the Ramones. This record continues with the ready-steady-go lineup of James (guitar, vocals, organ), Chris (bass, vocals, organ) and Mike (drums, percussion). The A-side kicks off with the spunky "I Miss The Ramones," which recounts the impact of said band on modern music in just under two minutes. The flip features the crowd pleasing "Somebody Put Something In My Ovaltine" (a take-off of the Ramones "Somebody Put Something In My Drink" though you knew that) and a cover of the Ramones' holiday classic "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)." On the fabulous Killer Records imprint!

"The Kung Fu Monkeys live in a world where genuine pop values never died. It may be 1999, but the Kung Fu Monkeys have not forgotten where pop music came from... Buddy Holly, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, The Kinks, Dave Clark Five, and (of course!) The Ramones: the band has mastered the art of making infectious pop records that fire out the teenage anthems that would be chart-topping smash hits in a just world.... And once you discover bug music, you'll want more... and more... and more!" - Josh Rutledge, Now Wave

"One of the funnier bands around these days. Think Hi-Fives and early Donnas. They even do 'Merry Christmas I Don't Want To Fight Tonight' to show their Ramones colors. Normally Mutant Pop boys, these guys get the party started right." - Ray Lujan, Maximum RockNRoll

"Revved up pop with male vocals that could easily be mistaken for some other gender. This is a band with a sense of humor, and a gift for catchy tunes. They usually add a cool concept that makes their records even better, and this one is a witty tuneful Ramones tribute. Essential, like all their others." - Mel, Shredding Paper

"Cute and clever, these New York City sassy lads sure know how to sing swell. I'm jealous." - George Tabb, New York Press

Recorded with the same make of consul the Beatles used to use, the band's buggy Kiddie Pop Holiday single is their most pop and high-fidelity release to date. Once again, the lineup features Chris on bass guitar, Mike and drum kit, and James on electric and acoustic guitars, Wurlitzer organ, vibraslap, and vocals. Intended to be a "thank you" to all the fine people who helped us out with our fantastically successful summer tour, this record will be a very limited self-released pressing of 365. Out December 10th and available exclusively through Mutant Pop and at live shows.

1) Surf's Up, School's Out, Let's Fall in Love!
2) Eat Your Vegetables
3) Peachy Keen
4) Double Bubble
5) She Makes The Sun Shine
6) (I've Gotta) Crush On You!
7) Last Day of School
8) Miss Manners
9) Luau All Night (All Night Luau)
10) Roller Skate Date
11) We Are A Disaster
12) When The Waves Are Low

Almost a year in the making, the Kung Fu Monkeys' first full-length features James (vocals, guitars, and keyboards), Chris (bass guitar, tambourine, and recording console), and Mike (drum kit and triangle). The rhythm tracks were recorded over 3 days in March of 1999 at Funhouse Studios in Manhattan by William Gilmore Webber III, and the vocals and over-dubs were done intermittently between January and March of 2000 by Chris Mazer (with some help from James) at Watermusic Studios in Hoboken, NJ.

This collection of songs represents the bands most ambitious studio effort to date, as they employ a wider array of sounds (12 string guitar, church organ, female voices) and tackle broader social issues (roller skating, hula dancing, bubble gum).

...Get Along Famously (KFM/JV split)

Recorded onto 16 tracks at Water Music by Chris Mazer.

Released by She’s Gone Records in 2001. Cover illustration by Dyna Moe.

James Cahill: electric guitar, 12 string electric guitar, acoustic guitar, ukulele, Wurlitzer, and vocals.
Chris “Pontiac” Mazer: electric bass guitar.
Mike Junior: drum kit and percussion.
Liz Pierson: violin and vocals.
Dirt Bike Adam and Dan: backing vocals.

Recorded somewhere in New Jersey in the summer of 2000, and released on the fab-o-la She's Gone records in the fall of 2001, this record was a dream come true in many ways, as we got to share plastic with the ultra-ginchy Junior Varsity (KFM's heroes!). Chris recorded the band really "hot" and then added in his bass lines last (all in 1 take!). Adam and Dan from Dirt Bike Annie were kind enough to lend backing vocals on "Candy Shoppe." All in all, this is one of the groups clearest and best recorded platters. Dyna Moe designed the beautiful cover art (picture to be posted soon) and Mike Faloon wrote the liner notes - so the full KFM krew was involved!

Rock n Roll Dance Party with the Kung Fu Monkeys, Shindig! Vol. 2

Recorded onto 16 tracks in a bathroom in New Jersey by Chris Mazer.

Released by Knock Knock Records in 2001. Cover art by Marc Crisafulli.

James Cahill: electric guitar and vocals.
Chris “Pontiac” Mazer: tape machine.
Mike Junior: snare drum, china cymbal
Liz Pierson: violin and backing vocals.

The record was inspired by the stripped down sounds of Chuck Berry, Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, the Velvet Underground, and of course the fun teen garage racket of perennial KFM faves Herman's Hermits. Adam and Dan from Dirt Bike Annie provided handclaps on "Buggy."

The Wedding Ep
(KFM/Dirt Bike Annie split)

Recorded onto 4 tracks by James Cahill in his living room in Chapel Hill, with additional recording by Chris Mazer and Adam Rabuck in New Jersey.

Cover art by Dyna Moe. Released by Whoa Oh Records in 2001.

James Cahill: electric guitar and vocals.
Chris “Pontiac” Mazer: 12 string guitar and clarinet.
Mike Junior: drum kit and percussion.
Billy Sugarfix: acoustic guitar and vocals.

Vocals, six-string guitars (electric and acoustic), and the bells were recorded in springtime at James' house in Chapel Hill, NC, on a Tascam Portastudio 424 (4-track) with a Sure SM-57 microphone and a Silvertone guitar amplifier. Twelve-string guitar, clarinets, and drums and percussion were recorded later in the spring at Saddletramp Studios in Jersey City, NJ by Chris Mazer and Adam Raybuck. on a Macintosh computer. Songs fixed and mixed by Chris Mazer.

Electric Tangerine Smile:
Shindig vol. 3 in 3-D

Recorded and mixed onto 4 tracks by James Cahill in his living room in Los Angeles with additional recording and mixing done by Chris Mazer at his home in Ithaca, NY.

Released by Whoa Oh Records in 2005.
Cover art by Dyna Moe.

James Cahill: electric guitar and vocals.
Johnny Reno: electric guitar and vocals.
John Bowie: 12 string guitar and vocals.
Chris “Pontiac” Mazer: organ and keyboards.
Mike Junior: pizza box, drum sticks, and tambourine.

Side A:
“American Beach Party, USA
(We’re Having Christmas for Breakfast)”
“I Dig the Way that You Move”

Side B:
“Welshire Station Reverie”
“Summertime in the Desert”

It’s Coast to Coast with
the Kung Fu Monkeys

Recorded and mixed on 16 tracks at Water Music by Chris Mazer, except “From Eagle Rock,” which was recorded by Matt Vertaray.

Released by Swimmingly Records in 2005. Cover art by Marc Crisafulli.

James Cahill: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and vocals.
Chris “Pontiac” Mazer: bass guitar and blue jeans.
Mike Junior: drum kit and percussion.
Liz Pierson: violin.

On this record we tip our hats to the great Chuck Berry, which gave me a chance to attempt to prove that on rare occasion I could actually play the guitar (I felt I needed to defend the band’s honor after a friend from another band enthusiastically complimented one of our shows by saying: you guys stayed in tune tonight!). I remember for some reason I was really insistent that everybody involved with this record wear turtle sweaters. We even requested the pizza delivery boy don one before bringing our dinner into the studio. Like “Hat’s Off To Hawaii,” “Chapel Hill, Surf’s City” was conceived as a kind of musical postcard. I tried to get a meeting with the mayor of Chapel Hill so that I could convince him to declare the song the national anthem of Chapel Hill (which also meant declaring The Peoples Republic of Chapel Hill a sovereign state), but nobody returned my calls. “Candy Shoppe (Twice)” is kind of a sequel to the KFM theme song from “Hi-Fi at Low Tide.” We used to intersperse this song several times throughout our live sets. The “twice” is another joking nod to perennial KFM favorites The Modern Lovers.

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Whoa Oh Records Presents 'Christmas for Breakfast!' 41 Toe Tapping Head Bopping Hip Swinging Hi-Fi Bug Beat Kiddie Pop Audio Adventures!

• click to read the extensive and exhaustive liner notes

Released by Whoa-Oh Records in 2008.
Cover art by Dyna Moe