1998

December 4 - Austin, Alex, and Derek play their first public gig at a Buck Runn middle school dance. The set consists of four songs: "Brainstew," Eve 6's "Leech," Collective Soul's "December," and "Saint Joe On the School Bus."

1999

February 13 - The 3 boys make their first appearance as the Pond Monkeys with a short set at the Elks Club.

April 11 - Derek, Aut, and Alex perform Collective Soul's "Run" during church.

May 27 - The Pond Monkeys perform at the Middle School Talent Show. Austin and Derek in 6th grade and Alex in 8th grade. The boys play their first original: "Saved."

June 5  - The Pond Monkeys play their first Good Ol' Days Teen Dance after making the cover of the Fort Scott Tribune in a related story.

July 9 - Pond Monkeys play at the FS Country Club Teen Dance.

July 31 - Pond Monkeys play at the Elks club. This show will live in infamy for the boys' literally offbeat performance of Sugar Ray's "Every Morning."

August 28 - Pond Monkeys perform at the Keyhole following the Red & White football scrimmage. Hank Meisner joins the band on bass for 3 songs.

September 4 - Hank Meisner joins the band for 3 songs at the Country Club Teen Dance. Because of a torrential downpour, the concert is moved inside halfway through the show.

September 18 - The Pond Monkeys play the Billy Sampson Benefit Concert after more press in the Ft. Scott Tribune, Pittsburg's Morning Sun, and advertisements on KSEK 99.1.

October 9 - The band records a 4-song demo album at Chris Ellis' home studio in Kansas City.

December 4 - Pond Monkeys perform at a Middle School dance. Garrison Overstake joins the band to rap on Rage's "Guerilla Radio" and on Korn's "Blind."


2000

April 8 - The Pond Monkeys play four songs with Garrison Overstake singing at the middle school twirp dance.

April 22 - The Pond Monkeys record a 7-song all-original demo at Phil Ward's Woodland Studios in Pittsburg, KS.

May 13 - Pond Monkeys open up for Mark Ward's band, Dry White Toast, at the Foxtown in Pittsburg.

June 2 - The Pond Monkeys play their second year at the Good Ol' Days.

August 25 - Pond Monkeys perform at the Fort Scott Keyhole Bash.

November 25 - Pond Monkeys open up for Dry White Toast at Driller's Bar & Grill in Ft. Scott.

December 21 - Pond Monkeys headline "Teen Night" at Driller's Bar & Grill.

2001

May 6 - The Pond Monkeys play 4 songs at Open-Mic Night at Foxtown in Pittsburg.

June 1 - The Pond Monkeys play their 3rd Good Ol' Days Teen Dance with Daniel "Big Danny D" Brasuell joining them for a set. The performance also marks the debut of the band's self-produced, 13 song album, "Wing It."

June 2-3 - Alex, Austin and Daniel play in the Red Garter Saloon during Good Ol' Days. Lots of Shania Twain and Leann Rhimes songs are played...

June 15 - Pond Monkeys perform at the Nevada, MO, Bushwhacker Days festival at 11 PM.

July 4 - Pond Monkeys perform at the 4th of July Celebration in Lincoln Park in Pittsburg during midday for an eclectic mix of people.

August 3 - The Pond Monkeys play with Daniel Brasuell at the Relay For Life.

September 2 - The Pond Monkeys perform at the Lincoln Park Bandshell in Pittsburg, KS, for a big crowd. This show marks Daniel's first performance as an official Pond Monkey.

September 22 - The 4-piece Pond Monkeys compete in the 1st Annual Pittstock Battle Of The Bands in Pittsburg. 

September 29 - Alex, Austin, and Derek play at Driller's Open-Mic Night. Jared Holloway joins the band on drums for Austin's tribute to a certain senior girl (V.D.).

November 23 - Pond Monkeys play Open-Mic Night at Driller's. Austin, Derek, and Garrison Overstake play "Zoom Zoom" & "Mulligan," both new originals.

December 7 - The Pond Monkeys open up for Mud Puddle Dive at Bootleggers in Frotenac, KS, for MPD's CD Release Party.

2002

January 12 - Pond Monkeys prepare for recording by playing at Driller's Open-Mic Night.

January 20-? - The band records "Start The Reactor!", a 12-song CD, at Woodland Studios in Pittsburg, KS.

April 6 - Pond Monkeys play the Chris Roth Benefit Concert at JB's Bar & Grill in Pittsburg, KS.

April 20 - Pond Monkeys open for Orange at Driller's Bar & Grill.

April 27 - On last minute notice the Pond Monkeys play a show at the Branding Iron opening up for The Sound and The Fury.

May 3 - The Pond Monkeys first full studio album "Start The Reactor" is released.

May 23 - The Pond Monkeys play an end of school bash at Buck Bunn.

May 31 - The Pond Monkeys play their 4th Good Ol' Days Teen Dance. The four entertain the crowd for 3 hours.

June 15 - The Pond Monkeys play a show on the back of a truck at Bushwhacker days in Nevada.  Alex is almost blinded by a 5 year old with a full mustache named Wandy after the show.

July 4 - Pond Monkeys perform in Lincoln Park at the annual July 4th Festival. Despite evil soundmen and a cursed sound system, the band has fun.

July 6 - Opening for The Sound and The Fury for a second time at the Branding Iron, Pond Monkeys put on one of their best shows yet.

July 11 - Pond Monkeys headline at the Parsons, KS, Kitchen Pass. The talented Dear Caroline open up. 

July 18 - Pond Monkeys place first in the Parsons Battle Of The Bands. Alex receives a royal chewing from a Parsons Memorial Hall employee. Alex is brought to the verge of tears, but feels better when Evil Memorial Hall Soundman-guy is forced to award him and the rest of the band first place honors.

August 24 - The band performs in Joplin, MO, for the first time at Kharacters Bar.  Macon and For Cryin Out Loud are on the bill. 

September 1 - Pond Monkeys perform at Pittsburg's Little Balkans Days. Phil Ward runs sound for a 2 1/2 hour Monkey performance. During the set's final song, much of the crowd joins the band onstage as fireworks go off and Matt Trotter smashes a guitar into the concrete.

September 20 - Alex, Austin, and Derek perform a brief motivational set at Winfield Scott Elementary School. The assembly marks the start of the kids' "Reading To The Beat" program.

September 21 - Pond Monkeys receive 2nd place at the PSU Pittstock Battle Of The Bands in Pittsburg, KS.  First place winners Anything But Joey, Orange, The Lonely, 9 Guys From Iowa, Mud Puddle Dive, Vicious Cycle, and Paperface are on the bill.

October 3 - Pond Monkeys perform with Teflon Don and win in the Kharacters Battle Of The Bands preliminary round in Joplin, MO.

October 31 - Derek, Alex, and Austin perform "Drive," "Wishlist," and "Saved" at Eugene Ware Elementary School's Just Say No To Drugs assembly.

November 2 - Pond Monkeys play in the final round of Kharacter's Battle Of The Bands alongside Macon, Highview, and Gorilla Wrench.

November 29 - Pond Monkeys hold a benefit concert at Liberty Theatre (Ft. Scott) with proceeds going to the Bill Madison Scholarship Fund and to the family of Pechone Stepps. 

December 18 - Pond Monkeys perform an hour-long set at the Mound City School Star Assembly for 200 students. 

December 20 - Pond Monkeys open for The Joe Fund at the Kitchen Pass in Parsons, KS.

2003

January 23 - Pond Monkeys open for Choozy Mothers at The Grand Emporium in Kansas City, KS.

January 30 - Pond Monkeys headline their first show in Topeka, KS, at The Boobie Trap.

January 31 - Pond Monkeys open for Podstar and The Primetime Heroes at The Boobie Trap in Topeka.

February 22 - Pond Monkeys open for Wicked Spectrum at The Final Approach in Topeka.

April 13 - Pond Monkeys record a 3-song demo at Chris Ellis' Kansas City studio.  "Prepare The Noose", "Feel Sorry For Me", and "Frightened By Salad" are recorded.

April 26 - Pond Monkeys play in Club Wars at the Foxtown in Pittsburg, KS, along with 7 Day Delusion, Coventry Sacrifice and Paperface.  The band receives 48 votes behind Coventry Sacrifice's 50 votes.

May 11 - Pond Monkeys compete in the national Got Milk? Shake Stuff Up Tour Battle Of The Bands. The Monkeys play against Wichita's folk-pop group Eivy at Riverfest in Wichita, KS.

May 23 - American Red Cross Benefit Concert at the Liberty Theatre in Fort Scott, KS. Featuring: Sometimes Forever, LGF, King TP, and Pond Monkeys.

May 31 - Sonofagun Productions concert in Atchison, KS.  Pond Monkeys play with Karmage, L.I.E., and Weldon at the American Legion Building.

June 7 - Pond Monkeys play their 5th consecutive year as headliners of the Fort Scott, KS Good Ol' Days Teen Dance.

June 19 - Creative Masterminds, Army Of Prawnz and Pond Monkeys perform a free concert at Buck Runn Community Center in Fort Scott.

July 5 - 13 Stars, Sinapse, Pond Monkeys, Paperface, and Axium at Bone Creek Lake in Arcadia, KS.

August 23 - Pond Monkeys perform with The Rich Kids at the Carthage, MO, Good Neighbor Coffee House.

September 16 - Alex does a live on-air phone interview with Joplin Rock 105.3 FM.

September 20 - Pond Monkeys place 1st in the 3rd annual Pittsburg State Universtiy Pittstock Battle Of The Bands in Pittsburg, KS.  The Sound and The Fury place 2nd, Signal III place 3rd.

September 20 - Pond Monkeys play a late show at the Route 66 Theater in Webb City, MO, along with Brutally Frank and The Rich Kids.

October 11 - Crooked River, Pond Monkeys, and Plant at the Groundwork Coffeehouse in Leavenworth, KS.

October 24 - Pond Monkeys, Paperface and Axium at The Foxtown in Pittsburg, KS.

October 25 - 2nd Annual Barnpalooza in Daniel's barn with Army Of Prawnz, Heads Up, and Creative Masterminds.

November 1 - American Red Cross Benefit Concert in Marble Park in Parsons, KS, with Frivolous, SCUD, and Corpse Collector.

November 5 - Pond Monkeys and The Snake The Cross The Crown (from Santa Barbera, CA) at El Torreon in Kansas City, MO.

November 28 - Desperate Pilot, Army Of Prawnz, Pond Monkeys, and The Rich Kids play Elks Gift Baskets For The Needy Benefit Concert in Fort Scott.

December 12 - Pond Monkeys win in a preliminary round of the Balls To The Wall Battle Of The Bands at The Green Room in Joplin, MO.

December 19 - One Fan Band, Bullets to Baywatch and Pond Monkeys play the Groundwork Coffeehouse in Leavenworth, KS.

December 26 - The Midwest King, Pond Monkeys, and Axium at the Boobie Trap in Topeka, KS.

2004

January 9 - Creative Masterminds, Heads Up, Pond Monkeys, The Chinchillas, Buckman and Army of Prawnz play FSHS Showcase of Bands in the Fort Scott High School Auditorium.

January 30 - Pond Monkeys play the Green Room Battle Of The Bands: Final Round with One Track Mind, Macon, Lyceum, Ultrafixx, Freak Flag, and Teflon Dons.

January 31 - Narrow-Minded Theory, Heads Up, Army Of Prawnz, Buckman, Justin Thompson, & Pond Monkeys play Daniel's Barnapalooza.

February 21 - PMB, Pond Monkeys, One Track Mind and The Sound and the Fury perform to a packed house at Bootleggers in Frotenac, KS.

March 5 - Ludo, Pond Monkeys, Weldon and Anything But Joey perform at The Groundwork Coffeehouse in Leavenworth, KS.

March 6 - Life Site, Army of Prawnz, Pond Monkeys, and The Rich Kids play The Liberty Theatre in Fort Scott, KS.

March 12 - Army of Prawnz, Dangerous Doug Harper, and Pond Monkeys at the Days Inn in Nevada, MO.

March 26 - The Wryones, Pond Monkeys, Short Life Crisis, and more play The Cesspool in Joplin, MO.

April 10 - The Shenanigans, One Track Mind, Pond Monkeys, The Rich Kids, and The Rhones play the Joplin Rock 105.3 Local Show Benefit Concert at the Cesspool.

April 17-18 - Pond Monkeys record a 5 song EP at Woodland Studios.

April 23 - Pond Monkeys and Macon play Jim's Place in Carthage, MO.

April 26 - Reversa and Pond Monkeys perform at the Pittsburg State University Spring Fling in Pittsburg, KS.

May 7 - Pond Monkeys, The Midwest Kings, Substance, and The Sound and The Fury play at the Foxtown in Pittsburg, KS.

May 13 - Pond Monkeys do a live interview on KHST Real Rock 101.7 FM with the Luv Doctor and Digm.

May 29 - The Kelson Crooks Band, Felix 15, Pond Monkeys, and Hate Made Easy perform at the Parsons, KS, KATY Days festival.

June 5 - Pond Monkeys play their 6th consecutive year at the Good Ol' Days Teen Dance with Heads Up and Bobby Wintle.

June 30 - Alex, Austin, and Derek (Daniel couldn't get off work) perform acoustic versions of "Play" and "Your Fiction" on KHST Real Rock 101.7 FM.  

July 2 - Pond Monkeys and The Rich Kids play Jim's Place in Carthage, MO. 

July 3 - Dilithium, Army Of Prawnz, Pond Monkeys and Reversa play Sterlstock in Fort Scott, KS.

July 9 - Pond Monkeys and Macon perform at the URT in Joplin, MO.

July 17 - Pond Monkeys, Tripwire, Cousin Eddie, and Mister X rock the first annual Edfest at the Foxtown in Frotenac/Pittsburg, KS.

July 31 - Heads Up, Quinton Cheney, Dilithium, and Army of Prawnz perform for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Benefit Concert at the Liberty Theatre in Fort Scott.  Alex, Austin, and Derek perform songs written specifically for the show.

August 21 - Dilithium, Army of Prawnz and Pond Monkeys rock Rusty's Bar & Grill in Fort Scott, KS.

August 28 - Lifesite, Thought Process, The Second Hands and Pond Monkeys play The Bridge in Joplin, MO.

September 1 - Fairfield, Tempest Corridor, PMB and Pond Monkeys Rock The Vote at Pittsburg State University.

September 11 - Heads Up, Pond Monkeys and Phat Albert/Lost 80 play Fort Scott High School Band Benefit Concert.

September 15 - Clear Voyance, Pond Monkeys, PMB, Always John and Stereo 360 at Foxtown for the Back To School Bash.

October 5 - Narrow-Minded Theory, Pond Monkeys and Paperface Rock The Vote at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KS.

October 30 - Narrow-Minded Theory, Heads Up, Dilithium, Army of Prawnz and Pond Monkeys play the 3rd Annual Halloween Barnapalooza at Daniel's barn in Fort Scott.

November 13 - Without Tomorrow, Pond Monkeys and Clear Voyance play at Jungle Java in Pittsburg, KS.

November 18 - Pond Monkeys and Amsterband play the Good Neighbor Coffeehouse in Carthage, MO.

2005

January 8 - Pond Monkeys and Paperface perform at 1974 Pub & Grill in Tulsa, OK.

January 15 - Quinton Cheney, Heads Up, Army of Prawnz and Pond Monkeys play the Elks Lodge in Fort Scott, KS.

January 29 - Everwill, The Pentagrammas, Army Of Prawnz, Pond Monkeys and Thought Process rock The Bridge in Joplin, MO.

February 11 - Mikel and Pond Monkeys at Dioko's Coffeehouse in Joplin, MO.

February 26 - Thought Process, Brown Bag Special, Pond Monkeys, Stereostatic and Yellow Second (of Floodgate Records) rock The Bridge in Joplin, MO.

March 17 - Army of Prawnz, In Your Honor and Pond Monkeys perform Voter Registration and Red Cross Benefit Concert at Liberty Theatre in Fort Scott, KS.

March 25 - Copus, Pond Monkeys, Synesthetic and Headkill compete in the Regional Preliminary Round at The Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS.

April 8 - Pond Monkeys, Sophomore, Another Roadside Attraction at The Boobie Trap in Topeka, KS.

April 15 - Pond Monkeys perform a mostly acoustic set at The Black Dog Coffeehouse in Lenexa, KS.

April 29 - Pond Monkeys return to Dioko Coffee Co. in Joplin, MO.

May 7 - Lifesite, The Mercy Kiss, Pond Monkeys, Playing With Matches, One Weak Yesterday at Foxtown in Pittsburg, KS.

May 13 - Pond Monkeys and Macon play Jim's Place in Carthage, MO.

May 20 - Breathing Buildings CD Release/Dance Party at Lake Fort Scott, KS with Heads Up.

June 1 - Kaylie & Cooper, Army of Prawnz and Pond Monkeys play The Potter's Wheel Coffeehouse in Pittsburg, KS.

June 4 - Pond Monkeys play their 7th consecutive year at the Good Ol' Days Teen Dance.  Two-thirds of The Rich Kids open the show.

June 18 - Army of Prawnz, Pond Monkeys and Brown Bag Special play The Bridge in Joplin, MO.  Daniel Brasuell's last performance with Pond Monkeys.