Review: Greg Behrendt and The Reigning Monarchs

“Short pants for fatty!” was Greg Behrendt’s reverberated exclamation during the song of the same name. Greg and his band, The Reigning Monarchs, rocked Largo on March 7, 2008. The multi-talented Behrendt is best known for his stand-up comedy and popular books, He’s Just Not That Into You, and the follow-up, co-written with his wife Amiira, It’s Called a Break-Up Because It’s Broken.

Greg, a longtime music lover and closet rock star, recently started taking guitar lessons from fellow Monarch, Mike Eisenstein, to improve his skills. Shortly after the lessons began, the two decided to form a band. Greg and Mike called on friends Peter Adams (piano), Mark Rivers (drums), Dan Petty (bass), D-Mo (saxophone) and Baby Neddy (trumpet) to start writing, recording and performing. Greg insists the gigs are still just rehearsals for them, but their performances suggest more as the playing is surprisingly tight for such a new group.

The Monarchs played a fun and lively set of original surf/ska rock tunes, interspersed with Greg’s stand-up – a hysterical string of anecdotes, mostly about haunted thrift store clothing and windowless boxers. Greg’s musical influences of The Clash, Brian Setzer, Chris Isaak, No Doubt, Dick Dale, The Champions and The Mermen are apparent in the Monarchs’ material. Some of the songs played included: “True and Mighty” (named after Greg and Amiira’s daughters); “Short Pants for Fatty” (inspired by a true story); “Cowboy Shirt” (do I need to explain this one?); and a still nameless number. “Short Pants for Fatty” is a fast and angry ska/surf rocker with extra reverb and a “Wipeout”-like drum solo. Greg especially likes the ska aspect of the music because, as he said, “the white guys are invited to dance.” The “nameless number” is a surf-meets-Phil Spector produced/60’s girl group anthem, complete with BIG drums pounding on the barriers of a “Wall of Sound” echo chamber.

Greg will soon be appearing on the television program, LA Ink, and the movie adaptation of his book, He’s Just Not That Into You, comes out in August. Greg answers fan/advice questions weekly on his website at www.gregbehrendt.com. He is also not shy about his desire to host a show on the Style Network and to be “ripped like Jesus.”

The Reigning Monarchs have an album in the works and will continue performing with the hopes of securing a solid following. Funny and musically talented, the band is definitely high on my list of new, local bands. I will be attending more of these future performances, as should you. Check out The Reigning Monarchs and get upcoming show dates at www.myspace.com/thereigningmonarchs.

All Photos by Heather Landis and may not be reproduced without permission. Thanks Heather!

Greg and D*J*E

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