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Lineup changes occur in bands across the state every day. Most times it's a member here, a member there. When there is more than one change to a lineup, it usually comes over a period of a few years. The buzz on these changes quickly fades away and life goes on.

In the case of Poptart Monkeys, (just one of PA’s many unsigned power-party bands that roam the country leaving chaos and destruction in their wake), an erosion of sorts - a slow dissolve, if you will - has steadily occurred right before our eyes.

An odd situation, as the hometown crowds may be quick to ask, “Where, oh where have all the monkeys gone?” than the less-observant transitory crowds that the band entertains in other states all across the East Coast.

The truth of the matter is that all of the original Monkeys, as of the recent departure of bassist James Balogach, have now officially moved on.

Chris Kurtz, PTM’s lead axe has, by attrition, graduated to the clan’s patriarch. Although Kurtz is not an “original” monkey, he was injected into the mix early enough in the band’s upswing that some may not even know he actually replaced the original guitarist, Dave Danishefsky, after he left the band in September of 2000.

This month, Shinbone Magazine checked in on the Monkeys, both past and present. Sort of a “where are they now” meets “where are they going” feature meant to give an in-depth look into the guts of a real touring band and the lessons lived and learned by the five musicians who have now moved on; and the one who will continue to press forward and carry on the PTM tradition.