Candygram for Mongo

Candygram For Mongo (sometimes know as C4M) is a rock and roll band based in Los Angeles, California. The band name refers to a quote from the Mel Brooks Movie Blazing Saddles.

Biography

Candygram for Mongo was founded in 2005 by drummer Gary Sharp and vocalist and guitarist Tony Shea. The two had been offhand friends for five years through their girlfriends when they discovered a mutual interest in music. The two immediately began rehearsing and writing together with the idea of creating a studio project. They enlisted the help of Johnny Dwinell (aka Johnny D) a producer and musician from Los Angeles by way of Nashville who was impressed with the unique sound of the band and officially joined Candygram For Mongo as the guitarist. Additional the band recruited Dan Cohen, a top notch LA studio musician who has played and recorded with many bands including Gigolo Aunts, Happy Stars, The Posies, The Rembrandts, and Dogs Eye View among many others, to become the band’s permanent bassist despite his background primarily as a guitarist. The band has added bassist James Baker in 2008 just prior to Johnny Dwinell’s departure from the group. Dan Cohen is now the primary guitarist.

Career

The band’s first public show was on September 3, 2006 at the Viper Room located in Los Angeles . The club, once partially owned by actor Johnny Depp, is located on the Sunset Strip, and has been a famous venue and launching pad for numerous bands over the last fifteen years including [ ], although it remains perhaps most notable as the last location actor River Phoenix visited prior to his death from a drug overdose in 1993.

Candygram For Mongo’s first record release is entitled “The Red Pill”. Though the term “The Red Pill” is often associated with the films in the Matrix series, due to fact that the character Neo, aka the Chosen One, is first presented with a choice of two pills, one red and one blue, by the mysterious Morpheus, in which the red pill promises liberation from the prison of the matrix, while the blue pill is a narcotic sleeping pill that will keep him in the dream state. However, the band maintain that the album title is simple a coincidence based upon a private in-joke and has nothing to do with the popular film series.

Critical Reception

Ear Candy (www.earcandymag.com)

The Red Pill was an immediate critical success earning positive reviews from various print and online magazines around the world:

Two man duo out of LA that is sure to cause a riot on the Sunset Strip in no time. As soon as they play live that is. 10 song sonic blast that covers all the punk rock bases. The record starts off the surf rock antics of "Moon"-think Agent Orange with Lemmy on guest vocals. "Porkchop" falls off the bone with some meaty riffage that Steve Jones would slobber over. "Nothing's like your porkchop"-yummy! "Letter To A Friend" barrels along with Circle Jerks ferocity. "Rich Girl" is not a cover of the Dee Dee Ramone classic, but it pummels your eardrums just the same. This too short album ends by throwing your head against the wall with "Story Of Triumph." I have no idea where this band of roughnecks came from but I smell Warped Tour 2006. Check the site to get your grubby little hands on a copy today.

Devolution Magazine (www.devolutionmagazine.com)

“Surely this band aren't still unsigned? Seriously, I dare you to put this record on and not start shaking your ass instantly! With clear influences of The Ramones, Bad Religion, and The Dropkick Murphys here is a festival band if ever I heard one. With songs (dare I say 'Anthems?') like 'The Kids Have All Gone Crazy' and 'Happy,' CFM are an explosive unit set to capture the hearts of any punk rock fan who thrives on discovering new bands. Albeit radio friendly these eleven tracks capture all the feel good elements of punk with some snazzy guitar playing and the like cheese is to wine vocalist Tony Shea is the perfect accompaniment to Candygram For Mongo. - Reviewed By Nickie

Independent Clauses (www.independentclauses.com )

“Tearing their way out of one of America 's most diverse cities, Los Angeles-grown Candygram For Mongo combine elements of music just as diverse as their hometown. With influences ranging from the Ramones and Chuck Berry to Motorhead and Tom Petty, the old school rock trio has found a unique sound and image… Their fun songs, catchy lyrics, obvious vocal and instrumental talent, and recognition of who they are and their mission in the music world make them a band to keep an eye on in the future. -Erik Williams --EndlessCreed@charter.net--

Skratch Magazine (www.scratchmagazine.com)

“Boisterous punk pop from La-la land, Candygram for Mongo plays the kind of infectious melodic rock with a smarmy swagger and a slightly sneering tone on THE RED PILL. Hooks for days, sugary yet shouted choruses and a versatile knowledge of the rock ‘n roll playbook accentuate cuts like the sock-hop vibe of “Bleed for It,” while “Almost Everything” wheels out the denim and leather for an unorthodox time machine trip laden with punky pretense. A lot of input goes into the making of these three-minute gems, a feat that sets Candygram for Mongo way ahead of the rest of the whiners, poseurs and talentless but popular acts on the scene.”

The band’s second full length LP is titled simply Candygram For Mongo, although it is informally called “Yellow and Black” or “Black and Yellow” owing to the albums overall color scheme. The album debuted on St. Patrick’s Day 2008 also earned the band still more accolades.

Plug In Magazine (www.pluginmusic.com)

“It does not take long listening to Candygram For Mongo’s self-titled sophomore album to figure the band out. Candygram For Mongo is a band that likes to have a good time. But this Los Angeles-based band does not want to party alone (who does?) so they are ready to woo you by bringing sharp riffs and bounding pop melodies to match their larger than life high energy sound. Never too rowdy or too rough, Candygram For Mongo’s brand of pop punk rock is likable and delivers on the promise that it makes of having a good time!”

Absolute Punk.net (www.absolutepunk.net)

“Candygram for Mongo’s self-titled release is the band’s second album following their debut CD, The Red Pill in 2006. Formed in 2005, C4M struck it good early when their song “Story of Triumph” from The Red Pill was featured in the Fox sitcom “Unhitched,” and their song “Intermission” from that album was placed in the Sci-Fi Channel’s series “Battlestar Galactica.” Maybe lightning does strike in the same place twice, or at least Candygram for Mongo is betting that it does for them.”

Skratch Magazine (www.scratchmagazine.com) Los Angeles pop punk squad Candygram for Mongo return with an eponymous 13-track offering chock full of infectious melodies containing more hooks than a tackle box. Cuts like "What Are We" and "Big Mary" portray the rambunctious feel of a spiked hair contingent with the usual imminent sense of danger replaced with the sharp songwriting skills you'd hear from the likes of Elvis Costello or Cheap Trick. Edgy yet accessible, tracks like "Meltdown" and "Fairfax Avenue" display a bounce that's perfect for the Warped Tour with a singalong chorus tailor-made for a drunken night with old friends while songs like "Rock To Live" showcase the Celtic-esque vibe employed by the likes of Flogging Molly and Against Me. With their freewheeling nature at the forefront of everything they do, Candygram for Mongo have made a prime candidate of a record to throw on to not only get the party started but to keep the good times rolling all night long. Mike SOS

Awards

www.Garageband.com

“Happy”

Track of the Day on 15Aug2006 in Punk; Track Of The Week on 2Oct2006 in Punk; Best Male Vocals in Punk, week of 18Sep2006; Best Male Vocals in Punk, week of 26Feb2007; Best Male Vocals in Punk, week of 12Mar2007; Best Guitars in Punk, week of 26Feb2007; Best Drums in Punk, week of 18Sep2006; Best Drums in Punk, week of 5Mar2007; Best Bass in Punk, week of 18Sep2006; Best Production in Punk, week of 26Feb2007; Best Production in Punk, week of 5Mar2007; Best Lyrics in Punk, week of 18Sep2006; Best Lyrics in Punk, week of 15Jan2007; Best Melody in Punk, week of 12Mar2007; Best Mood in Punk, week of 5Mar2007; Most Original in Punk, week of 18Sep2006

“Story of Triumph”

Track of the Day on 4Aug2006 in Punk

Best Male Vocals in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

Best Male Vocals in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Guitars overall, week of 7Aug2006

Best Guitars in Punk, week of 24Jul2006

Best Guitars in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

Best Guitars in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Drums in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Bass in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Production in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

Best Production in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Lyrics in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Melody overall, week of 7Aug2006

Best Melody in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

Best Melody in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Melody in Punk, week of 21Aug2006

Best Beat in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

Best Beat in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Mood in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

Best Mood in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Mood in Punk, week of 21Aug2006

Best Mood in Punk, week of 4Sep2006

Most Original in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Feel Good Track in Punk, week of 14Aug2006

Rocking Track in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

“The Kids Have All Gone Crazy”

Track of the Day on 5Aug2006 in Punk

Best Male Vocals in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

Best Guitars in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

Best Drums in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

Best Production in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Melody in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

Best Mood in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

Rocking Track in Punk, week of 31Jul2006

“Girlfriend”

Track of the Day on 17Aug2006 in Punk

Best Male Vocals in Punk, week of 14Aug2006

Best Keyboards in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Production in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Melody in Punk, week of 7Aug2006

Best Mood in Punk, week of 14Aug2006

Stupidest Song in Punk, week of 21Aug2006

16th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards,

“Male Singer/Songwriter of the Year”

Airspun.com

“Airgod” February 2007 Rock Category

Releases

"Red Pill" (2007)
"Candygram for Mongo" (2008)

External links