With their root base placed under an array of influences including Credence Clearwater Revival, Foundations of Wayne, as well as the Reverend Horton Heat, Monkey Butler would turn into a Champaign-Urbana mainstay of house parties and college bars upon their formation in September of 2000. Using a audio that additionally includes a melodic hint of guitar-driven pop/rock and roll, the lineup of Trevor Lutz (vocalist), Steve Carmody (electric guitar), Matt Dark (electric guitar), Rory Grennan (bass), and Yasufumi Sono (drums) would ultimately self-release their debut EP, …THE LIFE SPAN and Moments of Langdon Alger, in 2001.