Monday’s Child is a band who I first knew from a local battle-of-the-bands gig. Their blues-infused rock-n-roll sound was awesome and lingered off every note of their set - which included a song called “Missouri River”. Last month, the band released a studio version of the song, and it is great to hear the song from a studio environment!
Monday’s Child is from St. Joseph, MO. The three piece blues-rock band started through open night jams at bars. This is where guitarist Sir Timothy Groce and bassist David Loyd first met. The first lineup of Monday’s Child was then formed. However, the current lineup that we know now - including drummer Brian Smith - was also formed through jamming when their previous drummer couldn’t make the gig. Thus, Monday’s Child was born.
Their debut single “Missouri River” was released last month. The band’s slow-blues sound is on full exhibition here. The lyrics detail the tragedy of floods and how it impacts people’s lives. While Sir Timothy has not been affected personally by a flood, the song came about by putting himself in the shoes of people who have. Musically, it is a very bluesy song. At over seven minutes long, it allows for you to hear and then learn a lot about the band.
What stands out almost instantly is the band’s signature blues sound. This makes for a great foundation as the song starts with the sound of a train, then the slow but sizzling guitar enters the scene. The band’s sound is tight; Loyd tells me that the connection between him and Groce was something that was there since the first time they jammed together. And you can certainly hear it and feel it on this track. Drummer Brian Smith accents the emotion of the song with his playing, which is a great part of the track that stands out and just excels it further.
Lyrically, the emotions of the song soak through. The genre of blues has always been an emotional one (if done right), so it is only natural that there would be emotion here. The lyrics detail the devastation that comes after a flood and what life is like after, including a direct allusion to the Great Flood of 1993.
Musically, each musician comes from a different place: singer and guitarist Sir Timothy finds himself more into guitar-oriented music, and the first bands who made an impact on him were AC/DC and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Bassist David Loyd comes from a background of classic-rock and funk; the sort of music where rhythm and groove is essential. Drummer Brian Smith comes from an 80s metal background and even has another band which is an 80s tribute band. Together, their sound forms a melting pot of influence without one influence overbearing the next.
I had heard the song live before, but, unfortunately, as I was unfamiliar with the band at the time, I cannot say how this track in particular was live. Their set was great and filled with blues-rock and energy that gave the night a great start. So, I asked Sir Timothy Groce, and he told me that when played live, the song evolves more in a dynamic and emotional sense, as opposed to musical improvisation. Musically, “Missouri River” is a very straight-forward song with lots of soul and passion. So, this seems to be a great launching board for the band to expand on the emotional and dynamic side of the song.
For a debut single, it is a great song because it tells you what you need to know about the band: that their paths cross somewhere at the crossroads of blues and soul, dynamics and emotions. This is just the first song of the band, but there will definitely be more on the way, so keep your ears open. Until then, you can let their flood of blues-rock rush through your soul and lose yourself in the groove.
Hear the song here: https://open.spotify.com/album/0bDk0t9hjiuIc4fvBSF06y?si=Y76t1S1hSAe-MvgFjPlCww&dl_branch=1
Watch the Lyric Video!: https://youtu.be/2XKLA5UqV58
Comments