My World (band)
MY WORLD is a New York based rock band. They are a bit difficult to classify in a sense that their music ranges from heavy alternative, classic rock, quirky groove, speed country, acid jazz and textural music among others. While known for their eclectic and highly entertaining performances, they have also cut their teeth over their span of experience writing and recording music for television, film and serving as songwriters and backing session musicians for other artists.
The core members of MY WORLD are Chris Munger (guitars) and John Montalbano (bass/lead vocals). Although they have had rotating drummers over time, they are the mainstays of the group. Chris and John grew up on Long Island in New York two towns over from each other. Both of them “heard of each other” during their high school years since both were “rumored” to be fans of the 70s/80s rock fusion band The Dixie Dregs. John, “While most kids our age were into only heavy metal or alternative rock, when someone mentioned the word “fusion” or “jazz”, you were immediately labeled a “freakazoid”. So basically, word travelled across town lines pretty fast.” They crossed paths a few times early on, but it wasn’t until their early college years that they crossed paths again and decided to make some music together.
My World's Early Years
MY WORLD began to perform in the NY area as a three piece instrumental group. They went through a few line-up changes with drummer, then wrote some additional songs with the addition of a lead singer. MY WORLD was invited to play at the Woodstock Revival Concert on the original site of the 1969 Woodstock concert. At the last minute, the lead singer did not want to do the performance. MY WORLD then performed as a three piece combining some of their original instrumental compositions and a few songs with John Montalbano on vocals. It was there that the MY WORLD formula was born with Chris Munger on guitars and vocals, John Montalbano on bass and vocals and a “drummer”.
MY WORLD began to play at the Comedy Central company parties. MY WORLD recorded a bunch of demos and were approached by some of the Comedy Central creative team to do some music projects. One of the first was to write and record music for the interactive website for a new cartoon they picked up called “South Park”. Chris was then promoted within Comedy Central and MY WORLD recorded and wrote countless pieces of music for shows and promos. As MY WORLD’s reputation grew, they recorded music for many of TV shows and specials for VH1, MTV, Fuse, etc. MY WORLD had performed many shows as headliners and openers for acts like Jethro Tull. They have traveled and performed across the United States.
My World's History
John Montalbano had met some people from the Public Enemy camp and Chuck D’s record label Slam Jamz Records. John began writing and playing bass with Slam Jamz flagship recording artist Kyle Jason. They released two albums on the Slam Jamz label during which time Kyle, Chuck D., and DJ/Producer Johnny Juice heard MY WORLD. Chuck and Juice then had the idea to bring MY WORLD into Chuck’s studio in Roosevelt, NY for a jam session. MY WORLD, Chuck D., Kyle Jason, and DJ Johnny Juice came out of the studio with a track called “What’s Going Good?”. Chris Munger then put together a show at a NYC club called the Coral Room, where MY WORLD performed a set, Kyle Jason performed a set with his band (including John Montalbano on bass), and then MY WORLD, Chuck D., Kyle Jason and DJ Johnny Juice performed “What’s Going Good?” as well as Public Enemy’s “By The Time I Get To Arizona”. MY WORLD went on to record tracks on two Public Enemy albums, “New Whirld Odor” and “Beats And Places”. In early 2011, Chris and John decided to put together a MY WORLD show. They booked a venue called the Canal Room in NYC and decided to fly drummer Nick McIntyre in for the performance. Chris had been in discussions with Steve Madden the fashion designer about launching aSteve Madden music division. The Steve Madden crew was at the performance and they were so impressed that they suggested that they do an event with MY WORLD. In October 2011, theMadden Music/Munger Music event happened''' at the Gibson Guitar Showroom in NYC featuring MY WORLD as the headliner. The event was filmed and MY WORLD footage was placed on screens in the Steve Madden retail stores worldwide.
Happening Now
After another crazy year of consistent music projects and sporadic performances, MY WORLD got together to perform in January 2013 for a benefit for the victims of Hurricane Sandy which hit home to a lot of fellow musicians and families in the New York area. Chris Munger and John Montalbano were already in talks for individual publishing deals with BMG/Chrysalis, but after their performance that evening, the folks at BMG/Chrysalis inquired at their next meeting, “So… What are your plans with MY WORLD?” After some very brief discussions, Chris Munger, John Montalbano and MY WORLD each signed publishing deals with BMG/Chrysalis.
MY WORLD released their first album in 2013 entitled “All Shapes And Sizes” on the BMG/Chrysalis/Fieldhouse record label. Among other projects, in 2013, MY WORLD rerecorded a version of Wagner’s “Ride Of The Valkyries” for the Sportman Network for which MY WORLD won two ProMax Awards in 2014.
2014 opened with a MY WORLD performance in Anaheim, CA during the NAMM show. The single, “RON” from the “All Shapes And Sizes” album started gaining some traction on the radio in Texas, which prompted MY WORLD to shoot a music video. Chris approached director and videographer Kevin McCafferty (Mobile Video Productions) and they started shooting a video! “RON” features cameo appearances by Brian O’Halloran (actor), Steven Grillo (actor/radio personality), John Holmstrom (artist/cartoonist), Mason Reese (actor), Heidi Merrill (model/singer/songwriter), Roy McDonald (producer/videographer), Crazy Legs Conti (major league eater), Kevin Corrigan (singer), Barbara Duerrer (model), Catherine Long (model), Rachel Niu (model). Some of the footage was taken at the Gibson Guitar Showroom in NYC with some pretty revolutionary lighting from Briteshot. Other footage was shot on the corner of Avenue A and 13th Street outside of Mason Reese’s bar called Destinations.
Band members
- Chris Munger - guitars
- John Montalbano - bass/lead vocals
Discography
- My World – "All Shapes And Sizes", for "Mr. Lead Vocals, Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Producer"
- Public Enemy – "Beats And Places", for "Electric Bass, Electric Upright Bass"
- Public Enemy – "New Whirl Odor", for "Electric Bass, Electric Upright Bass"
Equipment / Endorsements
John Montalbano is known to use the following: Michael Tobias Design or MTD basses - He currently owns three custom MTD 635 six-string basses. His first was built in 1997 which has a myrtle-burl top with an African satinwood core and a wenge neck and fingerboard. His second was built in 2009 which has a camphor-burl top, ash core, ash neck and birdseye maple fingerboard. His third one was purchased used and is a rare single cutaway version with an extra long body. It was so rare that John named it "The Yeti". Carl Thompson basses - Six-string fretless bass guitar. John spent years working in Carl's shop helping to build instruments. John is quoted saying he was the "Grand Dustpan Wielder". Hofner - Club Bass guitar. John play two of these custom made instruments. When Hofner offered to make him his first instrument he requested a "purple sunburst". Some years later Hofner made him a fretless Club bass from all birdseye maple with an ebony fingerboard. DR Handmade Strings - John uses a wide range of string types from flatwound, Lo-riders, Sunbeams, Hibeams and Neons
Chris Munger is known to use the following: Gibson Guitars - Chris plays two Gibson guitars. One is a stereo ES345 given to him by Gibson. His second is a Grace Potter signature Flying V.