Interview: Songwriter/Composer Jim Hiltz of the Rhythm Surf Monkeys

What inspired the creation of the Rhythm Surf Monkeys, especially the name?

I wrote a song called “Where Were You When My Dad Became a Hero.” We went into jazz bassist Mike Pope’s studio to record it.  We were kicking names around and one of the musicians suggested Rhythm Space Monkeys. I love all things beach and VW buses (my bus is pictured on both albums). I said, “Hey, let’s replace space with surf.”  Four of us played in the rhythm section of a rock orchestra, so hence the word rhythm.  Monkeys?  Your guess is as good as any [laughs].”

How did your passion for music begin? How old were you?  

Oh my, my love for music came from listening to my older brothers’ and sisters’ musical tastes.  I was young,  let’s say six or seven.  I grew up on Frampton Comes Alive!, Grand Funk Railroad, Boz Scaggs (“Lido Shuffle”), Jethro Tull,  The Eagles, and Chicago, just to name a few.  The one artist I discovered on my own was Bob Seger.  He just brought the house down.  I think “Hollywood Nights” is the greatest riding down the highway song, followed closely by his live version of “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.”

What artists have had the greatest impact on you on a creative level? 

Again, Bob Seger – just straightforward 130 BPMs tap your foot from the first note.  John Cougar Mellencamp wrote a great line in “Cherry Bomb”: “17 has turned 35.” That simple line says so much about life in just four words.  As I got older, Rob Fahey and Gary Brown played locally together.  My friends and I followed them faithfully.  They played stuff like “Moon Dance,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” “The Wanderer,” and just a whole new variety of old stuff that just kept the crowd lively all night. Not to mention Rob’s original post-Ravyns music.  His 1992 Breaking and Entering  CD I truly feel is his best album.  So much of the music that I write is a tip of the cap to the great sounds and vibes of the past.  Having Rob and Gary play on “Hero” on the Highway 9 CD was just a dream come true for me.   They were so gracious and engaging.  Man, I look up to those guys. As I was growing up,  I believe those two probably influenced me the most to “go for it” in terms of pursuing songwriting.

How would you say the Rhythm Surf Monkeys have creatively evolved?

Reinvented is head and shoulders above Highway 9.  Very proud of H9, and has some great work on it.  However, as a songwriter, I learned in the studio the do’s and don’ts during H9 recordings.  What I considered was good and acceptable songwriting on H9 is not as good as the songwriting on Reinvented.  I wanted to raise the bar on my lyric writing and music direction.  I learned so much from Steve Kilgallon (drummer, engineer) during H9.   I had no inclination about so many things in terms of production, recording and organizing.  Steve is an engineer who doesn’t understand why groups don’t want to delivery greatness, or cut corners.  He might be the most intrugal part of the process .  If you don’t bring your “A” game, then he will let you know you are putting out “B” game work.  Planning was better, we didn’t rush the process and all the differences are part of the education of recording.  I think I was a better quarterback in the studio in terms of decisions.  Steve and I are passionate about what we think we should be hearing.   Bringing in so many talented musicians and vocalists,  such as Rob Fahey (The Ravyns), Tony Sciuto (The Little River Band), Megan Wheatly, Frank Grocholski, Kyle Reitz, Mike Pope, Jeff Wolinski,  I had to give them material they could really sink their teeth into and believe in.  Scott Stansfield wrote the horn charts for “I Forgot Who I Am” track.  He is currently recording an album with some Grammy buzz to it.  The brass section he brought in are some of the best players locally and nationally.  As a songwriter for only three years now, there was a distinct challenge to raise my songwriting to accommodate all the great talent.  The last thing I will mention is that branding had to change.  We scrapped the old logo and went with a design by Tim Kestel that we really love and really elevates the quality of first appearances.  Who doesn’t love a monkey on a surfboard, with a hat on backwards, in Hawaii, and playing a Stratocaster?

How did you get Rob Fahey of The Ravyns to work with you? 

I met Rob in 1986/87, performing  post-Ravyns.  He was very approachable and just the nicest, kindest man, not to mention one a hell of a guitarist.  His voice has gotten better with age.  He is amazing.  I approached Rob with “..Hero” back in 2012.   He came out and recorded it, and I just remember falling off my chair hearing him sing the first line.  I will never forget that feeling.  Rob is an institution in Maryland, as iconic here as Brooks Robinson and Johnny Unitas, in my humble opinion.  He was just awarded the first-ever Maryland Icon Music Award in December 2014, and well deserved.  He is a pro to work with in the studio as well.  I still pinch myself to this day that he has done four songs with us.

The Rhythm Surf Monkeys recently hit the College Music Journal’s Top-30 most added albums. How did that feel, especially considering the group has older members? 

Old in years, young at heart.  In all fairness, Kyle is 20, so he brings our average down considerably. We come from the music with real instruments era.  We love rock and blues.  College radio is a great place to be heard in so many regards.  The kids in college today grew up with parents that listened to stuff that inspired us.  To be added is just a tremendous honor and it makes myself, Kyle, Rob, Steve, Jeff, Megan, Larry, and all the great musicians we work with proud.  College radio is very important to us because they have given us spins and opportunities to be heard where we never could have imagined.  We thank them.  I think college radio is more significant now than it ever has been.  I think the listeners are at an age where they can be influenced by the music they hear and open to good old fashion rock and roll.

Official Website:

http://www.jimhiltzsongwriter.com