Release Date: Oct. 16, 2026
Forty years ago, the youth revolution was in full swing in Bern, Switzerland. Young people were pushing back against conservative traditions, BEDS ARE BURNING, clubs were forming, and a new music culture was taking shape. Somewhere in that chaos, The Monsters were born, and they’re still going strong with the release of Off The Road We Go!
Back then, they probably never heard of The Munsters, the sitcom comedy from America, but one can’t help but wonder if they knew. One might think there’s some similarity, but honestly, there isn’t! The band consisted of Beat-Man, Yves and Oli, three young musicians who weren’t exactly virtuosos yet. That turned out to be part of the point. They simply wanted to play covers of their favourite rockabilly, garage and punk records, but they were so inexperienced that they turned to writing simpler original songs that made sense to them.
Judging by the way their style came together, not much has changed. Their staying power in the punk rock scene is impressive, especially here in Canada, where they’ve never played. Hopefully, one year, that’ll change! Their range encompasses some eclectic subgenres, including boogie and surf mixed in with grunge, and that’s perhaps why I took an interest in them. I also heavily recommend listening to their track, “I See Dead People.”
Although I’m not an active follower, their name is well known in the punk rock scene, and when I heard they had a new album, I had to take a listen!
When their press release stated that, in March 2026, The Monsters packed their instruments, rented a rehearsal space and recorded some new tracks, my reaction was one of gentle surprise. Joined by Robert Butler, who is described by the band as one of the “miracle workers” and “super supers,” they brought along his mobile “2 Cent Recording Studio” and spent a month writing and recording. About 100 words, some meaningful and others decidedly nonsensical, are scattered across the album, while guitars, percussion, drums, bass, obscure organs and synthesizers rescued from flea markets and friends’ basements were thrown into the mix.
They describe the album as being about life, and I can see it. People are tired, people are strange. They wrote: “The album title’s meaning stems from going off the beaten path while walking the monotonous treadmill of life: waking up in the morning to the same routine, knowing exactly what’s in store for you from that moment until the day’s end, doing what you can to earn a living and always being on a schedule, self-medicating in the off hours, day in and day out, year after year, only to realize you’re not living at all, or never were in the first place. Life is planned out before you realize it, and all the while, that countdown clock above us whittles away the most precious resource we’ve got.”
Written and recorded over the span of a month, the songs on The Monsters’ tenth album don’t require much critical thought, yet they address the realities faced on a daily basis.
Their opening track, “You Got Me Going,” is perhaps the most accessible of the twelve. With a music video showcasing their style (see below), it’s easy to get hooked. Two other tracks that caught my attention are “When You Smile” and “Comfort Zone.” I’m fairly sure they’re playing a kazoo on the former track, and as for the latter, the drumbeats give it a nice edge.
This track also gives speed rock and thrash a place to simply crash into. At the end of the day, or rather, a shift, that’s sometimes how I feel like doing too. I’ll pour myself a glass of mead, since that’s my drink of choice, and I don’t need to sober up. That’s how I think The Monsters craft their tunes.
Although nobody expects middle-aged musicians to still command a stage, I’d be interested in getting the full Monster experience at a show. That’s in addition to listening to their tracks in the car and at home, playing them loud and freaking out the neighbours. The tunes are unapologetic, in your face and perfect to listen to this coming Halloween season.
Forty years on, The Monsters still sound like they’d rather kick open the door than politely knock. For some reason, I’m reminded of the silly cereal commercial, “Silly Rabbit, Trix are for kids!” because that’s what this band stands for. They’re not interested in being told what they should or shouldn’t be doing at their age. And best of all, they’re going to be touring Europe during the month of the witch. Those lucky enough to catch them live will get to see them celebrate a milestone anniversary!
After wrapping up their early September tour dates in the States, they’re ready to challenge Europe!
the Monsters: “you got me going”
Off The Road We Go! Track Listing
- you got me going
- Let Me Tell You That Again
- F**k Sh*t Up
- When You Smile
- Sacrifice
- Off The Road
- Pay My Rent
- Eyes Hands Words
- Problems
- Comfort Zone
- Bull Fighting Man
- I Owe You Nothing
The Monsters: Off The Road We Go! EU Tour Dates
- 21.10.26 DE – Munich, Feierwerk
- 22.10.26 DE – Nuremberg, Kunstverein
- 23.10.26 AT – Vienna, Arena
- 26.10.26 DE – Dresden, Chemiefabrik
- 27.10.26 DE – Berlin, Neue Zukunft
- 28.10.26 DE – Hamburg, Hafenklang
- 29.10.26 DE – Bochum, Theater Rottstraße
- 30.10.26 NL – Nijmegen, Waalhalla
- 31.10.26 NL – Haarlem, Slachthuis
- 19.02.27 ESP – Barcelona, Sala Upload
- 20.02.27 ESP – Cox, TNT
- 21.02.27 ESP – Madrid, Fun House
- 22.02.27 ESP – Zaragoza, Sala Creedence
- 23.02.27 ESP – San Sebastian, Dabadaba
- 25.02.27 FR – Paris, Le Chinois
- 27.02.27 BE – Sint-Niklaas, De Casino
