Happiest in Ottawa
Award-winning band is staying right here
By JIM HURCOMB Tony D. was 17 when he touched the hand
of God. The manager of the Roxy knew the under-age kid was just there for the music, so he let him in.
That handshake, from the legendary Muddy
Waters, happened some 30 years ago, and today Tony D. carries on that Blues legacy with his band MonkeyJunk. For casual Blues fans, Tony D. is the best known name in MonkeyJunk, with six pre-Junk albums to his credit. He has also been the go- to support guy for visiting international Blues stars.
But MonkeyJunk is not the new Tony D. 14 BOUNDER MAGAZINE
band. Those who have followed the Ottawa Blues scene over the past 15 years or so know that Matt Sobb (drums) and Steve Marriner (harp and keys) are key figures as well. Before MonkeyJunk, all three had paid their dues and established their stage-cred on the local scene. Much like the Clapton-Baker- Bruce triumvirate who came together as Cream in 1966, they are three distinct musical talents with common musical genes.
Here’s what they say about themselves: Steve Marriner: “Chuck Berry was my first introduction to Blues, Rock and Roll and R&B. From there I checked out other Chess artists like Muddy Waters. The Blues Brothers movie led me into doing my homework and finding out abut Junior Wells, Buddy Guy and a bunch of the Chicago Blues guys.” Tony D.: “Coming out of the late 60s and 70s, I listened to mostly rock bands like the Rolling Stones, Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. But there was one band in particular: the Allman Brothers, and their album At the Fillmore East. The opening track “Statesboro Blues” really sent me for a loop. So through them I started reading about Little Walter, Elmore James, T-Bone Walker and Muddy Waters, ‘cause they were covering all those songs. I bought the first Muddy Waters album and then I realized that it was deep, so much deeper.” Matt Sobb: “For me the big influence was listening to 70s AM and FM radio, rock & roll and a lot of Motown. When the Blues thing happened for me it was probably the popularity
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