Monaco Slim Releases “Baby's On Drugs”
Is there a particular ethos behind the single/EP/album or any particular music styles or events that inspired it?
After a couple of their first rehearsals, Monaco Slim's frontman Scott Crain went to New Orleans in November 2019. It was his second time visiting the city, but instead of getting caught up at the tourist traps on Bourbon Street, Crain immersed himself in the original music scene in the city's French Quarter. Struggling with feelings of burnout after playing over 100 acoustic cover gigs that year, he returned home to Fort Lauderdale with a reinvigorated passion for music and a concept for his novel project. Crain put down his acoustic guitar and dusted off his Gibson Les Paul. He refined his approach to lyricism by incorporating fiction with fact, leaning on a 'story-telling' style that is common in traditional blues music. Another theme that can be heard on the EP is vocal melodies sung in unison with guitar riffs. This tactic was employed and perfected by Junior Kimbrough, an American blues musician who deeply influenced the frontman's style of playing.
Can you briefly describe what the song/each song is about?
If you are releasing an album then either describe the thinking behind the project or choose a couple of lead tracks to focus on.
The song's main theme, along with its title, can be accredited to the group's saxophone player Michael Floyd. In Spring 2020, Floyd sent a voice memo entitled "Baby's On Drugs" to frontman Scott Crain, which featured him playing the tune on an unplugged Dan Electro guitar. Crain, who was lured into the hypnotic groove and its 6/8 time signature, started writing lyrics, piggybacking off Floyd's idea. However, the song got shelved as spikes of the coronavirus repeatedly delayed their studio rehearsals. Over a year later, in the fall of 2021, the band was preparing for their debut performance at C&I Studios and revived and completed "Baby's On Drugs". Crain filled out the verses for the song, basing the lyrics around a relationship that was deteriorating because of drug use. There is no ambiguity about this as he writes "when she picked up her pipe, she put down my love".
Where was the single/EP/album recorded and who was involved in its production?
"Baby's On Drugs" was recorded at Power Station Recording Studios in Pompano Beach, Florida between November 2022 and January 2023. The song was mixed and mastered by Wyatt Blair, co-founder of Lolipop Records and Savannah Studios in Los Angeles, California.
Have you played any notable gigs, festivals or other events? Likewise radio or TV appearances?
In August of 2022, Monaco Slim opened up for the blues band Juke at The Anderson in Miami, Florida. They have performed alongside Lone Wolf OMB (Bruno Esposito), a veteran of the Miami music scene who has a permanent residency at Tobacco Road. Bruno can be heard playing honky tonk piano on Monaco Slim's song "Losin' June Blues". Additionally, the lead singer Scott Crain was featured on Episode 12 of the Scenior Citizen Podcast to promote the single "Baby's On Drugs", which was published on May 6, 2023.
How and where did you get together?
The band formed in the fall of 2019 when frontman Scott Crain, who was working as a door guy at a night club in Fort Lauderdale, was introduced through a mutual friend to bar regulars Anthony Hall (drums) and Michael Floyd (sax/harmonica). After jamming out together and realizing their musical chemistry, the three began writing and rehearsing songs at a local studio. Michael Ortiz (bass), who'd played in previous bands with Crain, joined the group the following year to form Monaco Slim.