An obscure 1960s rock group, the Monks, is rehearsing in northern Minnesota this week. It's the latest chapter in one of the stranger tales in rock and roll history. MPR’s Tom Robertson profiles the band, and interviews Gary Burger, Monk’s lead singer; Eddie Shaw, Monk’s bassist; David Fricke, Rolling Stone music critic; Dietmar Post, German film documentarian; and musical artist Genesis P-Orridge.
Five American GIs formed the Monks in Germany in the mid-1960s. The band recorded only one album, which got little attention outside of Germany. Now, some rock critics and musicians consider the Monks' sound a forerunner to punk rock.