Adding a little something "extra" to cover band titan Gonzo's Nose, Colleen "Freak Magnet" Monaghan joined in 1997 in response to an ad in the City Paper for a female back-up singer with a few leads.   Since then, the position has grown to one-handed keyboards, occasional acoustic guitar (when it’s working), bass guitar on crowd favorite "Jump," male crowd favorite slide whistle on "Groove," harmonica, and an abortive attempt at using the inappropriately-named Jew’s Harp on "Give It Away."

Colleen’s musical education started around birth.   Having been born into an American version of the family Von Trapp, she grew up singing in harmony with her siblings.   She was invited into 2 Pro-Am Choruses in high school, and was an executive member of the Virginia Belles, a CASA-award-winning a capella group at the University of Virginia.

Upon graduation, Colleen relocated (eventually) to DC and briefly joined the Accidentals, a mixed a capella group. She also studied voice under Sidra Rausch.   She earned her nickname in the band by attracting one too many of those interesting guys who tend to hang around after shows.