The Evol' Shaka Ponk

Conceived a year before Damon Albarn's Gorillaz burst onto the scene, but signed only four years after, Shaka Ponk are the French electro-punk collective best-known for their digitally animated monkey character, Goz. Formed by web designer Frah and guitarist CC in 2000, the pair experimented with various visual techniques before recruiting bassist Thias and drummer Bobe-OD to complete their lineup. The band quickly earned a reputation as a must-see live outfit thanks to their multi-lingual fusion of rock, funk, hip-hop, and punk with inventive imagery, which they perfected on their own online channel, Monkey TV. In 2005, they signed a deal with Edel Music, and a year later, released their debut album, Loco con da Frenchy Talkin, which was followed by 2009's Bad Porn Movie Trax, and 2011's The Geeks & the Jerkin' Socks, the latter of which featured new recruit, Samaha Sam on lead vocals. ~ Jon O'Brien