Wonderland Burlesque: Wonderland Burlesque's Down The Rabbit Hole: The Blow Monkeys

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Wonderland Burlesque's Down The Rabbit Hole: The Blow Monkeys

Wonderland Burlesque's

Down The Rabbit Hole:

The Blow Monkeys

Down The Rabbit Hole merely places a spotlight on something slightly unusual that's caught my interest. With the help of Wikipedia, YouTube, and other sites, I gather information and learn something new.

Today, we take a look at the history and musical evolution of the UK's The Blow Monkeys.

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From Wikipedia and other sources:

The Blow Monkeys are a British pop band formed in 1981 who enjoyed four albums and eleven singles on the UK charts between 1986 and 1990.

The Blow Monkeys formed in 1981 when lead singer, songwriter, guitarist, bassist, and piano player Dr. Robert (Robert Howard) returned to the United Kingdom after having spent five years in Australia. The other band members are Mick Anker on bass guitar, Neville Henry on saxophone and Tony Kiley - or - Crispin Taylor on drums.

In 1984, the group released their debut album Limping for a Generation. It failed to chart, but success was within reach. Their first hit single came in 1986 with Digging Your Scene, from their second album Animal Magic. The single attracted attention for its topical lyrics, dealing with the AIDS-fueled backlash against gay people. It peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #7 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. In addition, it reached #12 on the UK Singles Chart, #24 in Italy, and #25 in Germany.

Regarding Digging Your Scene, Dr. Robert had this to say in 2023: "I used to go to gay clubs, like Taboo, a lot because, to be honest with you, in London, in the early ‘80s, it was grim. Pubs closed – there was nowhere to go, but those clubs were open and they played great music. People were flamboyant and there was a freedom – it was a scene. Then AIDS came along and those people got demonized – even the Government starting putting out ads and Donna Summer said AIDS was God’s revenge. I know she took it back later, but that’s where the line ‘It’ll get you in the end – it’s God’s revenge’ came from. At the time, I don’t think a big deal was made of what the song was about lyrically."

Their third album She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter (a reference to then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher), was released in January 1987. It reached #20 in the UK, thanks to its biggest hit, It Doesn't Have to Be This Way, which reached #5 in the UK and #28 in Italy. Working outside the group, Robert Howard released the single Wait, which featured Kym Mazelle on female lead vocals. It reached #7 on the UK chart and was included on The Blow Monkey's fourth album, Whoops! There Goes the Neighbourhood.

The band split up in late 1990, shortly after the release of their fifth album Springtime for the World. This was due to diminishing radio interest and sales and a lack of direction. The band simply felt it had run its course. No drama, no conflict.

Which made it easy for them to reunite in 2007. Since that time, they've release seven albums of new material, the most recent being 2024's Together/Alone.