The Monks were an American rock band formed in 1964 by five G.I.s stationed in Gelnhausen, West Germany. Dissatisfied with conventional rock, they pioneered a raw, rhythm-centric sound, blending distorted guitars, electric banjo, and anti-Vietnam War lyrics. Their 1966 album, *Black Monk Time*, is now hailed as a proto-punk classic, influencing artists like Jello Biafra, Jack White, and Iggy Pop. Despite their brief initial run, The Monks' avant-garde approach left an indelible mark on the evolution of punk and experimental rock. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monks?utm_source=openai))