Artist description Acoustic Duo producing an eclectic mix of acoustic sounds.

Music Style Acoustic-Driven Alternative Rock

Musical Influences Dave Matthews Band, Blues Traveler, Pearl Jam, Gomez, Eels, Ani Difranco

Similar Artists They Might Be Giants, The Eels, Fountains of Wayne

Artist History Freak Monkey started out at Adrian College in Adrian, MI during the fall of 2000. Even before that, Neil Campau, Jr., and Jack Sprauer, first meeting and becoming friends during the fall of 1998, had begun jamming together and putting together simple, but comical songs. People from their dorm and other parts of Adrian College’s campus would come to listen to their eclectic musical creations.***********Neil, a music major, first became interested in music at a very early age and started taking organ lessons at the age of eight in Alpena, MI. As he grew older, Neil sang in the church and school choirs, as well as taking piano lessons –growing in his musical skill and knowledge. In addition to his school and church musical ventures, Neil was greatly influenced and inspired by musicians such as, Willie Nelson, the Grateful Dead, Blues Traveler, Sublime, and Dave Matthews Band. Eventually, Neil, now eighteen years old and a student at Adrian College, picked up the guitar. Neil’s acoustic guitar grew on him and he learned quickly, eventually writing his own songs and collaborating with Jack Sprauer, an art major and native of Northville, MI.***********While all the other kids were playing outside, Jack was playing drums at the age of seven. He appeared frequently in local parades and as the “Little Drummer Boy” in Christmas programs. At the age of twelve, Jack entered the sixth grade, elementary school band and continued to play in school bands until his graduation from high school –achieving the title of drum captain and playing at the Detroit Jazz Festival twice. Throughout high school, Jack also played in bands unrelated to school –Anteus (a Latin, hard rock band) being his first. Later, he played with bands, such as Dose and Daxton’s Scale –two alternative rock bands. Most recently he played with a local band called Wickford Green, playing heavy, alternative rock, as well as many cover songs. Beyond his direct musical experiences, Jack has said that the most prominent musical influences throughout his life have been the Beastie Boys, Alice in Chains, Rusted Root, Pearl Jam, and Dave Matthews Band.***********Looking toward the future, Neil and Jack plan to graduate from college within the next year to year and a half. After college, they will continue to pursue their musical careers –putting Freak Monkey on the road and continuing to further their musical skills. Eventually, Neil and Jack hope to expose their music to as many people as possible –making Freak Monkey their life-long career.

Group Members Neil Campau, Jr. and Jack Sprauer

Instruments Acoustic Guitar, Congas, Drum Set, Ukulele, Harmonica, Jack's Lap, and various others

Albums Coming soon...

Press Reviews "Elvis Presley meets Michael Jackson..." - Garageband.com ** "...like Dylan mixed with Pavement, cool." - Garageband.com ** "Neil and Jack were rockin' the house - it was pretty cool." - The Coffee Beanery, Pontiac, MI ** "...a male Ani Difranco..." - Garageband.com **

Location Ann Arbor, MI - USA

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