The origins and evolution of DMP’s Monkeyfest

Monkeyfest 2007, which included a dozen bands, including the Moriartys, Black Friday, and newcomers Sons of Sancho, was far from the fifth edition three-day, four-venue blowout that hits San Antonio this year on July 7.

Day 1 is free for those over 21, featuring Pillow Talk at the Mix (recently signed with Texas is Funny) and supergroup Crimson Clover at the Limelight (comprised of members from the Dixie Hammers, Hacienda, Mechanical Walking Robotboy, and Murdered Out). Day 2 will see Salute, the Limelight, and the White Rabbit simultaneously hosting a total of 13 bands, including the Great 85, Dance Like Robots, and Yes, Inferno. Day 3 will be a Limelight exclusive and feature some of the fest’s heaviest hitters, including Cartographers, Education, and Henry + The Invisibles.

With five years and four fests in the rearview, Trinidad is both thankful and at times indignant. “I hate it when people say that San Antonio’s music scene is weak,” he said. “When I hear that, I say to those people, ‘If you think it’s weak, it’s because you’re fucking weak. You don’t fucking come out to see these shows and support your local musicians.”

Trinidad’s tone might be off-putting, but he finds the work of DMP to be evidence that change is possible in San Antonio. For one, he takes partial credit for Limelight’s shift from Americana/blues to indie/hip-hop/alternative. But still he blames rampant apathy in the music scene for driving him to the point that he once considered dropping out entirely.

“When was that?” we asked.

“Every year,” Andreu interjected, and the five burst into laughter. •

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