You, Me and An Album

197. Secret Monkey Weekend Discuss Southern Culture on the Skids, Too Much Pork For Just One Fork

Al Melchior

Send us a text

The power pop family trio of Jefferson Hart, Ella Brown-Hart and Lila Brown-Hart, known as Secret Monkey Weekend, join Al for this episode, introducing him to Southern Culture on the Skids’ 1991 album Too Much Pork for Just One Fork. Jefferson, Ella and Lila each talk about how they first came to know SCOTS and this album in particular, and why it’s among the most enjoyable albums for each of them. Ella and Lila talk about what they have learned from members of SCOTS in their own progressions as musicians. They and Jefferson also talk about their latest album, Lemon Drop Hammer, which was released in June.


IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE YMAAA COMMUNITY: The new YMAAA Patreon—Bonus Tracks—has arrived!

The first monthly Bonus Tracks episode will be published on July 24. If you subscribe anytime before July 31, you can get the first episode for $0.96 instead of the normal $5.99 monthly charge. For this Bonus Tracks Early Bird discount, go to patreon.com/youmealbum, then go to the option for Discount Code when you register and enter the code ALBUM.

Be sure to visit Secret Monkey Weekend’s website at secretmonkeyweekend.com.

You can also keep up with them at @secretmonkeyweekend on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.


Jefferson mentioned the award-winning PBS documentary that was made about Secret Monkey Weekend. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbBiy6lSzIw.

He also mentioned the YouTube clip of Mary Huff and Peter Holsapple joining Secret Monkey Weekend for a rendition of “Little GTO.” You can check that out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxI_YevbThc&list=PLDQFLu8I78OOPm9LamvC7RIQ2-8_8CSR3&index=15.


To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.

3:11 Jefferson, Ella and Lila join the show

3:57 Ella and Lila talk about their personal connections to SCOTS drummer Dave Hartman

6:50 Jefferson recalls his introduction to SCOTS

10:30 Jefferson talks about the origins of SCOTS’ name and the R.E.M. connection

15:03 Jefferson highlights the aspects of Rick Miller’s performing that he finds most interesting

16:25 Jefferson, Ella and Lila talk about the two sides of Miller and Mary Huff

19:03 Ella, Lila and Jefferson laud Hartman and Huff for what they bring to SCOTS

23:14 Ella and Lila have only become familiar with Too Much Pork for Just One Fork fairly recently

25:22 Jefferson is particularly fond of SCOTS’ live renditions of songs from TMPFJOF

27:28 Lila and Ella pick out their favorite tracks from the album

29:13 Ella is not a fan of one particular SCOTS song

30:46 Lila finds SCOTS entertaining both live and on record

31:20 Ella, Lila and Jefferson talk about the theatrics that accompany SCOTS’ performances of “Eight Piece Box”

35:09 Ella and Jefferson talk about how SCOTS’ sound changed over the years

39:53 Al particularly enjoyed the instrumentals on TMPFJOF

41:12 Lila came prepared with SCOTS merch

42:47 Ella talks about her musical influences

48:53 Lila and Jefferson recall their respective encounters with Mike Mills

50:33 Lila discusses her drumming heroes, including her late father

55:56 Ella and Lila talk about their mother’s involvement in Secret Monkey Weekend

57:52 Jefferson looks ahead to the band’s rest-of-summer plans

1:00:43 Jefferson discusses the band’s podcast and their connection to The Cowsills

1:04:06 Jefferson talks about the award-winning PBS documentary about Secret Monkey Weekend


Outro is from “So Much Joy” by Secret Monkey Weekend.

Support the show