Back in the 90’s, out of Milton Keynes, there emerged briefly a very unusual thing: It would pop up in the most unexpected places and turn heads, both towards and away. Opinion was divided between “the very best thing I’ve ever seen and heard”, and “the very worst thing I’ve ever seen and heard”. Middleton Stoney clamoured. The Brackley Folk Festival complained. Bob Brozman supported (due to unforeseen circumstances). Northampton Hospital Radio was surprised. Tring Fringe festival was empty (but the acoustics were amazing!).

I speak, of course, about the Syringe Babies from the Planet Zyz. 

The core of the group were Leo Nyteminks (stage name: Leni St Monkey) and Stone MkInyel (stage name: Mosey N Tinkle). These two intrepid guys were possibly the first two true aliens-from-outer-space ever to arrive in Milton Keynes, or indeed the world, possibly. So struck they were to find that the name Milton Keynes had exactly the same letters as Komin Yeltsin, the messiah of the Zyzian religion Rooferism, they took it as a sign and resolved to stay and present "the varicose culture and music of the Planet Zyz to the residents of Milton Keynes and Earth". (However, what didn't strike them was the extraordinary unlikelihood that their far away planet would have the same alphabet as that found in parts of earth. Funny that.)

Two seminal albums followed: ‘Spice Up Your Lift’ (1998) and ‘Slim Keynote et mi Slonkey’ (Later). There were also a number of live albums. 

Unfortunately, the intrepid pairs’ calling proved too difficult. They were surprised to find that the material they presented - so revered on its home turf - was generally, but with very notable exceptions, received in Milton Keynes (and other parts of Earth) with incomprehension and horror. 

Eventually it all proved too much. At the end of the 90’s Nyteminks suddenly decided to move away to East Anglia, while MkYniel went underground in Milton Keynes. Both attempted to create new identities, posing as normal decent human beings (ie not alien), with varying degrees of success. (“Thats why we wear hats”, they said.) Although the pair resolved to continue to create works together under the name ‘Silent Monkey’, essentially that creative connection fell silent, ironically, except for a small number of notable exceptions. 

In the barren years, MkInyel created some interesting material under his adopted human name “Steven McDaniel”, and Nyteminks wrote an interesting blog ‘Thoughts of Koo’ under the name ‘Koo’ (for some reason).

But they continue to communicate and dream of their next big thing................

Meanwhile, here's 'Spice Up Your Lift' remastered for the 21st Century.

First released 1st September 1998
Remastered version released 14th August 2021