Trip the Monkey is an American Punk Rock Band formed in Port St Lucie Florida in 2020. Their musical style blends catchy pop melodies with fast paced rock. Their lyrics center on relationships, frustration, and humor. The group emerged from the suburban, South Florida rock scene and has gained notoriety for their catchy melodies and high energy live shows.
-Interview- (3/6/26)
1. What's new with Trip the Monkey?
We just released our new EP titled STILL TRIPPIN on March 1, 2026 and a Music Video for the single RING AROUND THE ROSEY. We plan on releasing another 4-song EP in the SUMMER and the full album in the fall of 2026.
2. What do you want listeners to take away from the new EP?
The songs we write are very relatable. Hopefully, listeners can connect with the songs and interpret them in their own way. We also included some darker elements in the STILL TRIPPIN EP. We included some funny stories that you would typically expect from TRIP THE MONKEY, but, we also included some darker topics this time.
3. How does the writing process go with the band?
It usually starts with a lyric or a riff that Jon likes. Jon writes the guitar parts and the lyrics and then sends the song to the james to add bass lines, and to Chris to add the drum parts. Then we get together and see if it works as a whole. Some work out.. some do not.. Sometimes you don't know the songs you write are good, and don't expect people to latch on to them. Sometimes those become big songs for the band. Rex, for example, was a song that Jon didn't even want to record at first. The band pushed him to record it.. it then blew up and got picked up on FM radio all around the country.
4. What have you been listening to lately?
Jon says The Paradox is killing it right now. Alkaline Trio is always great. They have been influencing some of our darker lyrics lately. James says: Pennywise, 311, New Found Glory.
5. Do you have any pre-show rituals before performing?
James downs a Monster Energy Drink.. Jon and Chris are very quiet before shows.
6. What's one thing you'd change about the local music scene?
We live in Florida.. There are a lot of venues that offer bad Jimmy Buffett cover bands. We would encourage more local venues to offer original artists' showcases.
7. What's your favorite show that you've played and why?
We played a festival last year in Daytona where the crowd was only a few dozen people at first.. By the time we finished playing the first song... hundreds had followed the sound of the music and were jamming with us.. By the end of the set.. it had grown to thousands.. It was a great show.
8. Any plans for any music videos?
We just released the video for RING AROUND THE ROSEY and we plan on getting some fan input for our next music video. We would love to do a poll to see which song the fans think should be made into a video next.
9. What do you wish to accomplish for the rest of the year?
Release another 4-song EP in the Summer, release a 12-song album in the Fall, and go on a national tour. We have plans to tour the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeastern United States this summer.
-Interview- (3/7/25)
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? How did the name "Trip the Monkey" come about and is there any meaning to it?
Our sound is completely organic. We all come from different musical backgrounds and have different influences. Our styles combine to form our sound. We felt that the name Trip the Monkey was the perfect name for our style of music, which is based on the anti-PC culture.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
We hope that our stories and melodies connect with them on a personal level and take them on an adventure.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
We are high-energy with an original Pop Punk sound. We write songs about love, loss, and awkward situations that people can identify with.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Green Day, The Offspring, and Blink 182.
5. What's your thoughts on AI generated music?
Nope. We play all of our instruments. We believe that AI music is fake, and we want no part of it.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
We see the resurgence of Punk and Pop Punk in our modern society and are optimistic for the future of Rock music.
7. What’s the current music scene like there in Florida?
The Florida music scene is on fire right now. There are great bands everywhere that are playing live shows. We have been very lucky to play with some of the best.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
What royalties? The music industry has eliminated royalties from streaming services to artists unless your name rhymes with Shmaylor Shmift
9. What’s next for Trip the Monkey?
Sleep, drink, and play music. We are currently playing shows all over the state of Florida. We plan to do a national tour in the summer of 2025.
