Fronted by lead singer, songwriter, guitarist, bassist, and piano player Dr. Robert (born Bruce Robert Howard, 2 May 1961, Haddington, Scotland), the group formed in 1981 upon Howard's return to the United Kingdom, after spending the years 1976-1981 in Australia.
The other members are Mick Anker on bass guitar, Neville Henry on saxophone, and Tony Kiley on drums (born February 16, 1962).
In 1984 the group released their debut album Limping for a Generation, but their first hit single came in 1986 with "Digging Your Scene," from their second album Animal Magic (which reached number 21 in the UK Albums Chart).
The single attracted attention for its topical lyrics, dealing with the AIDS-fueled backlash against gay people, it peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number 7 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. In addition, it reached a high of No. 12 in the UK Singles Chart, No. 24 in Italy, and No. 25 in Germany.
In January 1987 their third album She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter (whose title is a reference to then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher), was released; it reached No. 20 in the UK, thanks to its biggest hit, "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way," which reached No. 5 in the UK and number 28 in Italy. Although it was released in the United States, it didn't chart there. It is featured in the movie Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol. The song "You Don't Own Me" appears on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. The record also featured harmony vocals by singer-songwriter Grayson Hugh.
Outside the group (though actually included on their fourth album, Whoops! There Goes the Neighbourhood), a successful single release by Robert Howard was "Wait," which featured early Chicago House diva Kym Mazelle on female lead vocals. The record was an early British recording in the subgenre dubbed UK Garage, it reached number 7 on the UK chart.
It would later re-appear on the Blow Monkeys' first greatest-hits album Choices – The Singles Collection, their highest-charting record, reaching No. 5 in the UK Albums Chart in 1989.
The band split up in late 1990,shortly after the release of their fifth album Springtime for the World (an EP of the same name was also released, collecting all three singles from the album).
After briefly recording with Dee C. Lee as Slam Slam, Dr. Robert went solo.
He contributed to Paul Weller's solo debut album, and co-wrote material with both Weller and Lee. Another notable collaborator was Beth Orton.
On 18 November 2007, the original band members announced the reunion of the Blow Monkeys, as well as a new album Devil's Tavern, and a tour in 2008.
Released on 8 September 2008, the album was funded by the pre-orders placed by fans. Q magazine reviewed the album, saying, "Their first album in 18 years still finds the frontman in fine voice; Robert continues to sound like he dresses only in velvet and smokes cigarillos."
In June 2009 the band released a special-edition double digipack CD and DVD of their performance at the 100 Club in London. It featured the original line-up performing fifteen songs including "Digging Your Scene," "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way," and "Wait," other tracks from the band's earlier work, along with a few new songs from Devil's Tavern.
January 2011 saw the release of the album Staring at the Sea, with "Steppin' Down" as the first single issued.
Feels Like a New Morning was released by Cherry Red Records in April 2013, accompanied by a bonus CD containing 10 Blow Monkeys songs performed by Dr. Robert.
In 2013 Sony Music issued a comprehensive three-disc box set, Halfway to Heaven: The Best of The Blow Monkeys & Dr Robert, including a 1984 concert from the Hammersmith Palais.
In October 2014 the band went to Monnow Valley Studios, Rockfield, Monmouthshire, Wales to record a new album, with Jon Withnall on mixing and engineering duties.
The resulting album If Not Now, When? was released in April 2015.
In October 2017 the band released their tenth studio album The Wild River on Monks Rd. Records, and it was written and produced by Robert Howard and recorded and mixed at Gismo 7 Studio in Motril, Spain. The album features Crispin Taylor on drums and is a return to their soul/funk roots.
In October 2018 the band supported Level 42 on their Eternity Tour.
On 4 March 2020, the group's Facebook page announced they are heading back to the studio to record their 11th studio album; they also announced a subsequent tour in 2021.
In September 2021 they released the "Journey To You" album, produced and written by Dr Robert.
