John “Monty” Montague is a busy man. Aside from having a weekly radio show on Salford City Radio, he currently has his own solo project called The Junta, as well as being a member of the band Positronik and currently plays keyboards for new Manchester supergroup, the San Pedro Collective. Perhaps proving he is not superman, he recently parted company with the band KIT B, where he played bass, due to time constraints. This article concentrates on his solo project, but touches on his other work.
Why did you decide on the name The Junta?
With eighteen releases since 2014, The Junta is a prolific project. The focus is on Dance-based Electronica, but over those releases there has been variety in the music produced and also in the inclusion of several guests, quite a few from the German Shepherd kennel, taking the music beyond its Electronic roots into new areas, including Indie, which is Monty’s other favourite genre.
I’m using a MacBook Pro with Logic Pro X audio editing software, which is what I use to write Junta tunes, with a Behringer keyboard. I have started running them through a Peavey mixer, so I can expand on the live set. I have used my bass guitar in the past, but I have recently started using a Kaossilator Pad, and the Roland VT-3 Vocoder, which are two electronic devices I can use as additional instruments in a live setting. The trouble is, once you get a couple of these devices, you want more. It’s opened the floodgates and I want to add a few more gadgets to the live rig. Never mind … it’s nearly my birthday!
Live, The Junta’s show combines music and audiovisual effects, with Monty performing on keyboards, bass guitar and electronic devices to a backdrop of videos which enhance the listening experience. With a slight lull in his activities, I took the opportunity to discuss with Monty what he has been up to and what plans he has for the future.
Back in 2013, I’d watched the film ‘The Iron Lady’ [2011] out of curiosity, because I like Meryl Streep. The movie brought back memories of the Falklands War in 1982. The TV coverage, John Nott on TV most nights, the sinking of the Belgrano,and Galtieri and the Junta. So the name was derived from that. What gear are you currently using for your live shows?
What are the main musical influences for The Junta’s sound? Although my favourite band is New Order, The Junta is more influenced by early Human League, Orchestral
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