"somewhere between the cutting edge and the fiery past. humanity is lost. evolution has begun ,and the future looks.....Dirty"
Meet the Apes
Jody Hauck
Lead Vocals
Andy Clark
Guitar/Vocals
Stacy Feit
Bass/Vocals
Phil Mahr
Drums
Comprised of 4 veteran local musicians, bored with the same old local music scene, they set their sights on a side project that would become the Damn Dirty Apes. They emerged from winter (2009-10) rehearsal to the delight of mosh pits all over the area.
The Lehigh Valley hasn’t been the same ever since ,with their “take no prisoners” approach to the music and stage, their antics have even got the Apes bounced from a local music awards show for “Being To Wild”. (an award show they have now won" Best Punk Performance" 4 years in a row thanks to their rabid fans).
The band’s sound & influence (S.O.D./Anthrax/Gwar/G.B.H.) would be best described as fast & furious with brutal surges of power (Thrash Metal), big choruses, and lyrics that can blur the edges of both anger and black comedy. It didn’t take long for a buzz to filter out of the underground via 90.3 WXLV’s Matt Metal Radio Show before a single gig.
The Apes debut in April-2010 at Crocodile Rock in Allentown, Pa with Chuck Treece’s McRad, and gigs the area over with likes of Ovlo, Sinister Realm, Rough Rats, Skin of My Teeth, Road of Bones, Corndogs, AmRev 2 & Eric Vain cemented the bands reputation as a must see live act locally.
Gigs outside of the immediate area started to materialize as the networking skills of (KONG) had the Apes teaming up with the likes of Common Enemy, the Noid, Atomic Age, American Speedway, & The Dirty Lookers. Which helped increase exposure & visibility between the Pa triangular area of the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia & New York, which lead to some higher profile gigs supporting DRI, The Meatmen , Sped, Reverb’s PA SkateFest, Jello Biafra, Axe Ripper, Walk The Plank, March To Victory, Chinga, Break The Cycle , Yuppicide, YDI, Nihilstics, World War IX, SHAT, Municipal Waste, Ese, Blinding Eye Dog and The Punk Rock Picnic 2010-11 -12.
The Apes released their first CD with influential Fleetwood, PA’s Overdose On Records . “The Apes Of Wrath” (November of 2011) to rave reviews for both it’s music and production. The album’s artwork was handled by (Jim Altieri) who laundry list of credentials includes the Dead Kennedy, Jello Biafra ,Common Enemy, Jucifer & Sonic Youth. He has also done the new Apes album cover and new t-shirt designs.
The Apes also received accolades for their 2012 video for "The Devil & Sammy Davis".In June 2014 The Apes returned to Brian J Anthony Studios to work on their next release. "Ape Diablo" is the result of 2 1/2 years of writing and playing. Darker, Heavier, with thicker grooves. The Apes created their own label, Monkey Monkey Records (of course) to release "Ape Diablo" in hopes of covering even more of the world in their feces.It’s their Planet, you’re just living on it..............
“Slow” forward 5 years ahead to 2019.
The Damn Dirty Apes return with “Beyond the Valley of the Apes”. Their 3rd full length album. Again recorded at Brian J Anthony Studios, this album takes a decidedly deeper and more experimental version of Ape Diablo, and turns it on it’s deafened ear. Heavy, haunting and genre chasing. Still creating big anthems, blistering riffs and thunderous bottom (and laughter).
Enjoy