Are you sitting comfortably??...Then I’ll begin...

Dave was asked to start a band with a fat person who, by an alarming coincidence, also had a big face (which if you were to take a rubbing of would need an A3 sheet and BIG wax crayon). Unfortunately being fat was the limit to his coolness so a disaster was averted when Dave and Iain met ChrisFrom Blythe and the seeds of what was to become Munky Punch were planted. The link to Fatbarney through Manfat and the Poolie link to RickyWard was all it took to create the five. At this point, some tunes were written and the gigging began. And God was it awful. But the band grew to six and things got better. Only slightly mind and only due to the efficiency of a certain ginger German.

The following academic year the band grew to 7 and things looked bright for those in the Punch. At the end of the year an EP by the name of ‘Bingo Wings’ was recorded to spread the sound of the Punch to the masses. Well, the 100 odd people who now own a copy (including my mam). The studio was great, the soundman was stoned and we actually played our instruments with a certain capability for the very first time!

But sad times were upon us. The end of degrees was nigh and something had to be done. In stepped a trombonist (sporting an affectionate Mo-hawk) and a trumpeter (a girl no less) to fill the soon to be made voids. For one last gig the band grew to 9. It was monstrous, with the sound of under-rehearsal booming out to the Mildert Day crowds. Alas, this could not go on. No, it was time for the 9 to become 7 again as the year drew to a close. Icky Icky Iain and Nils the German are the MP core and we salute you both.

Summer came and went without any sight of MP. But hark, what was this - the sound of a now complete four piece brass section, brash guitars and Fatbarney eating big macs, threatening Durham like the Mackem versus Student war that rages each term time. The Punch were back - all 8 of us. Increased by one due to the addition of a saxophone replacement.

The first term of the 03/04 year saw several gigs with people skanking away and even, dare I say it, people singing along to Punch tunes. The reviewers even hid their true feeling and called us a ‘good’ band. To the 8 of us here now and the two that have moved to pastures new, Munky Punch can say that we have achieved something through our music. Take your pick at what you’d like to call it.

We love it and if people keep watching and listening we'll keep playing. In fact NO, even if no one ever listens, we'll keep playing. It wont be for the first time.

Gigs aplenty and even a select few who I would like to call "fans". The arrival and excellent sales of a CD called ‘Got the Bastard’ and copious amounts of off-beat craziness. 2003/2004 was one of the best years the band's had so far.

The end of the 03/04 year resulted in the band becoming 5 once more, just like in the old days. Chris, Barney and Mark - we wish you luck in your new jobs..we'll never forget what you brought to the band. And so, it may have seemed that the end of MP had emerged...But three ska loving musicians have saved the day..with a new drummer, sax player and bassist, the band is here to stay..

Yes, the future’s bright, the future’s Munky Punch. For this, we thank you all.

Ricky and the Gang.