Past Gigs
A Reunion and a Farewell at the Fulford Arms
Saturday August 16th, 8pm
A storming gig but a sad one - our last one for the foreseeable future. Our stalwart members Ginevra House and John Jacobs have left to cycle to Indonesia later, Ian's moved to London, and we don't quite know where Callum's got to. Thanks to Asio's Eyes and the newly refurbished Fulford Arms for helping us go out with a bang.
Independence FROM America demonstration
Friday July 4th
We were honoured to have been asked to play at the annual demonstration outside the Menwith Hill US spy base. Menwith Hill is a listening post run by US military and National Security Agency, used in satellite tracking for US missile defence systems and the sort of surveillance that has recently been exposed by Edward Snowden. The base's famous 'golf balls' are visible from much of Harrogate. These NSA bases are totally unaccountable to any part of the UK government, and have been the target of a long-running campaign.
The 99 Club, York
Friday May 23rd
A benefit for the Workers and Socialist Party of South Africa, which was founded last year in response to the 'Marikana Massacre' when around 40 striking miners were shot dead by police - an event we reference in our song "The Feckless Dreams of the Super-Rich". Also on the bill was Josiah Mortimer.
Wainsgate Chapel, Hebden Bridge
Sunday May 11th
We played as part of the series of Sunday afternoon concerts in the 18th century Wainsgate Baptist Church in Hebden Bridge, incorporating the chapel's historic organ into our otherwise godless music.
We were supported by our good friend, the brilliant songwriter David Breslin.
Wharf Chambers, Leeds
Thursday May 15th
Wharf Chambers is fantastic autonomous space in Leeds run by a workers' co-operative, who put on a wonderfully varied programme of radical and innovative music. There could be no better place for our first gig in Leeds.
We were supported by The Monkeywrenchers - rabble-rousing hillbilly punks from the deep south (of Leeds), and Midas Is King - acoustic frock pop.
Thursday March 6th 2014: Vanbrugh Bar, University of York
We took it to the students with our first ever appearance at the university. With support from the pschedelic indie of Asio's Eyes, riding high as one of York's top unsigned bands, and also the intelligent, soulful and witty songs of Sam Griffiths.
Saturday January 18th 2014: The One Pot Film & Food Festival
We played at the end of a season of events on food politics at the amazing community-owned, volunteer-run Star and Shadow cinema in Newcastle. Also playing were stomping folk punksters Thieving Herer from Hexham and The Forgotten Works from Glasgow.
Wednesday December 4th: Newcastle Green Party Party
at the Royal British Legion Club, Newcastle upon Tyne
With the Making Waves Choir
Friday November 29th: EP launch
We launched our new EP "The Desert" to a packed house at top music pub the Fulford Arms. Support was from four-piece Leather'o playing celtic and gypsy tunes and piano bashing/uke-toting cabaret punk Emily Rowan.
Thursday August 29th: Tom Cowen Presents
at the City Screen Basement Bar
York promoter Tom Cowen's annual gig in aid of Link Community Development.
Link works at all levels of the education system – with communities, schools and governments – to identify and remove the obstacles to quality education with school improvement programmes currently reaching over 4,000 schools in Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, South Africa and Uganda.
Also on the bill were Let the Moth Sin and the Kirki Project.
Saturday August 10th: Walk Against Crime
at the Spurriergate Centre, York
We played with Rainy and the Dust, Ukulele Sunshine Revival, and Marcus Green, who was standing in for a troupe of Kenyan dancers delayed by a fire at Nairobi airport. The gig was part of the Walk Against Crime project to raise funds for the Zuri Foundation, which runs youth projects in the Mathare slum in Nairobi.
Saturday June 29th: Peace Pilgrims in York
at the Friends Meeting House, Friargate
We played for the Peace Pilgrims at a public event in York, 500 miles into their 756-mile pilgrimage from Iona off the coast of Scotland to London. The march is in opposition to the continued plans to spend at least £25 billion on the UK's nuclear weapons programme. Read more on the Justice and Peace Pilgrimage website or follow their progress on facebook.
Saturday June 15th: Israeli Anarchists Benefit
At the York Environment Centre (St Nick's Fields)
A benefit gig to raise funds for Anarchists Against the Wall - an Israeli group supporting the popular Palestinian resistance to the Israeli separation wall. They have been awarded the Carl von Ossietzy Medal for human rights activism. The group were originally dubbed 'Anarchists Against the Wall' by the Israeli press. This is a group of committed and brave activists, who are regularly arrested, tear-gassed and shot at for their anti-occupation activities in Israel and the West Bank. Members of AATW are well known to many York residents, and have spoken at several events in York over the last few years. We raised over £250 towards their legal costs.
If you would like to donate to AATW, you can do so via their web page: http://www.awalls.org/donations.
Friday May 31st: The Rook and Gaskill
Lawrence Street, York from 8pm
An evening full and unsupported at the recently-reborn Rook.
Saturday May 25th: Stillingfleet Beer and Music Festival
at Stillingfleet Village Institute
We spent a glorious day under the blazing Yorkshire sun to play the third Stillingfleet Beer and Music Festival. Also on the lineup were the York Street Band, Continental Drift and the Levharts.
February 23rd: York's Radical Cabaret
at CVS, Priory Street, York
We appeared at York's first ever Radical Cabaret evening, alongside Josiah Mortimer, Martin Riley and the local legend that is Rory Motion. Organised with York Social Ideas and part of the RadStats 13 conference.
November 20th 2012: Green Party Fundraiser
at The Basement Bar, City Screen Cinema, Coney Street.
Back at one of our favourite venues, playing with Jazz@Jeromes, top local purveyors of jazz, blues and swing.
November 10th 2012: St Nicholas Fields Benefit
at The Fulford Arms, Fulford Rd, York
We played to support the Friends of St Nicholas Fields - the local charity that runs the York Environment Centre and manages the beautiful 24-acre urban nature reserve.
Also on the bill were David Breslin - a brilliantly inventive local singer-songwriter, one of our favourites, and Magpie, unisex post-punk cabaret, who were also excellent.
October 20th 2012: Oxjam Takeover Festival
at The Attic, Kings Square, York
Reason Breeds Monsters played the 2012 Oxjam Takeover Festival, at Harlequins Café on King's Square.
The festival ran over seven venues and 13 hours, and featured acts include Kirby Howarth, The Last Picture Show, The Y Street Band, The Glass Caves, Rachel Skelton, Tim Pheby, Lake Michigan, Pete Wise, Manouchiae, Helen Turner, King Courgette, Union Central, Montego Bay, Black Lit City, Epilogues, Young Believers, Karl Senior, Rat Catchers Mallets, Gaz Rowntree and The Silent Sea, Bush & McCluskey, Kymberley Kennedy, Holly Taymar, Dan Webster, Aimie J Ryan, Mark Wynn, Sing Ramona Sing, Zak Ford and David Ward Maclean. Phew.
October 13th 2012: Single Launch
at Miller's Yard, Gillygate, York from 8pm
The sell-out gig to launch our first single, Lord of Misrule, which you can listen to on our music page. With support from Rooftop Chartreuse and Helgi Clayton McClure.
August 19th 2012: Oxjam Fundraiser
At Yates's, Coney Street
A stripped-down Mini-monsters outfit plays the 'indie night' trailer gig ahead of the main Oxjam Takeover Festival in October. Also on the bill are Porcelain Paradise and Asio's Eyes.
March 12th 2012: The Fulford Arms
We pack out the Fulford Arms, supported by Mononoke and Dan Webster.
December 13th, 2011: Atheist Advent 2011
At City Screen Basement Bar, Coney Street, York
The last of our annual Atheist Advent gigs, featuring a special set of songs weaving the Atheist Advent story. With support from Elaine Wallace and David Breslin
