Monotonix
Encyclopedia
Monotonix were a garage rock
band from Tel Aviv
, Israel
. They released their debut EP in 2008 and have toured mostly the United States and Europe, including notable now legendary appearances at SXSW. Monotonix subsequently released two full length records - Where Were You When It Happened? and Not Yet
and continued an infamous run of 1000 shows in five years into 2011.
Eventually finding themselves banned from most of the venues in Tel Aviv, the band decided to leave Israel and tour the United States and Europe. From 2006 to 2007, Monotonix played over 400 shows around the world, including appearances at notable Festivals in the US and Europe, and a few tours with Silver Jews
, whom they have opened for in Israel and befriended.
Monotonix have become known for setting themselves and their equipment on fire, stealing drinks from audience members to pour on themselves, and turning their shows into frenzied dance parties, and later, for their unique take on raw garage rock.
In 2008, the band signed to Drag City
, where they have released Body Language, recorded by Tim Green
of the Fucking Champs, and have continued their all-year touring playing over 250 shows that year alone.
On September 1, 2009, with the release of their first full length - Where Were You When It Happened, they opened (along with Dinosaur Jr.) for the reunited Faith No More
at a sold-out concert at the Israel Trade Fairs & Convention Center in Tel Aviv
, Israel
, and followed that show with tours in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia. "Set Me Free" from Where Were You When It Happened was used in the opening scene of an episode of cult TV show House.
In January 2010, while performing in Florida, singer Ami Shalev injured himself, leading the band to cancel a subsequent show in Athens, Georgia.
That year between tours, the band rented a studio space in the center of Tel Aviv and wrote the 10 songs that would appear on their next album. It was recorded at Electrical Audio
in Chicago with engineer Steve Albini
. Two 7-inch releases of these sessions came out in April and June 2010, serving as the appetizer for the band's second full length, Not Yet
, which was released on January 25, 2011.
During their US tour supporting Not Yet
the band announced that tour will be their last, first in Echoplex
in Los Angeles
, and afterwards in sold out shows in San Francisco and New York
. The US tour was followed by a final tour of Europe that concluded in London on March 6, 2011.
On the 25th of March 2011, the band posted a picture in a post onto their myspace music blog showing a sign referencing "The End" above their own band name - entitling the blog post "THANK YOU!".
7-inch releases
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
band from Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. They released their debut EP in 2008 and have toured mostly the United States and Europe, including notable now legendary appearances at SXSW. Monotonix subsequently released two full length records - Where Were You When It Happened? and Not Yet
Not Yet (album)
Not Yet is the second full-length album by Israeli band Monotonix released January 25, 2011 on Drag City records.It was recorded by Steve Albini in Electrical Audio studio in Chicago over 3 sessions in January, April and July of 2010....
and continued an infamous run of 1000 shows in five years into 2011.
History
Dissatisfied with the state of the music scene in their hometown of Tel Aviv, the Israeli trio Monotonix formed in November 2005. The band consisting of singer Ami Shalev, guitarist Yonatan Gat, and drummer Ran Shimoni (later replaced by Haggai Fershtman), started performing and recording. They began by playing shows at local venues. They frequently set up on the floor among the crowd, playing shows raucous enough to result in the power being shut off or the police called in.Eventually finding themselves banned from most of the venues in Tel Aviv, the band decided to leave Israel and tour the United States and Europe. From 2006 to 2007, Monotonix played over 400 shows around the world, including appearances at notable Festivals in the US and Europe, and a few tours with Silver Jews
Silver Jews
Silver Jews was an indie rock band from New York City, formed in 1989 by David Berman along with Pavement's Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Berman remained throughout and was the only constant member. During the last few albums, Cassie Berman became a regular member of the band...
, whom they have opened for in Israel and befriended.
Monotonix have become known for setting themselves and their equipment on fire, stealing drinks from audience members to pour on themselves, and turning their shows into frenzied dance parties, and later, for their unique take on raw garage rock.
In 2008, the band signed to Drag City
Drag City (record label)
Drag City is a Chicago-based independent record label. It was established with a Royal Trux release in 1990 in Chicago, Illinois by Dan Koretzky and Dan Osborn.Drag City specializes in experimental indie rock acts...
, where they have released Body Language, recorded by Tim Green
Tim Green
Timothy John Green is a former American football player as well as a radio and television personality. He was a linebacker and defensive end with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League, a commentator for National Public Radio, the former host of the 2005 revival of A Current Affair...
of the Fucking Champs, and have continued their all-year touring playing over 250 shows that year alone.
On September 1, 2009, with the release of their first full length - Where Were You When It Happened, they opened (along with Dinosaur Jr.) for the reunited Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
at a sold-out concert at the Israel Trade Fairs & Convention Center in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, and followed that show with tours in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia. "Set Me Free" from Where Were You When It Happened was used in the opening scene of an episode of cult TV show House.
In January 2010, while performing in Florida, singer Ami Shalev injured himself, leading the band to cancel a subsequent show in Athens, Georgia.
That year between tours, the band rented a studio space in the center of Tel Aviv and wrote the 10 songs that would appear on their next album. It was recorded at Electrical Audio
Electrical Audio
Electrical Audio is a recording facility founded in Chicago, Illinois by musician and recording engineer Steve Albini in 1997. Hundreds of independent music projects have been recorded there....
in Chicago with engineer Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
. Two 7-inch releases of these sessions came out in April and June 2010, serving as the appetizer for the band's second full length, Not Yet
Not Yet (album)
Not Yet is the second full-length album by Israeli band Monotonix released January 25, 2011 on Drag City records.It was recorded by Steve Albini in Electrical Audio studio in Chicago over 3 sessions in January, April and July of 2010....
, which was released on January 25, 2011.
During their US tour supporting Not Yet
Not Yet (album)
Not Yet is the second full-length album by Israeli band Monotonix released January 25, 2011 on Drag City records.It was recorded by Steve Albini in Electrical Audio studio in Chicago over 3 sessions in January, April and July of 2010....
the band announced that tour will be their last, first in Echoplex
Echoplex (venue)
Echoplex is a live music venue located in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is owned and operated by the same people as The Echo, and the two are considered sister venues...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and afterwards in sold out shows in San Francisco and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The US tour was followed by a final tour of Europe that concluded in London on March 6, 2011.
On the 25th of March 2011, the band posted a picture in a post onto their myspace music blog showing a sign referencing "The End" above their own band name - entitling the blog post "THANK YOU!".
Discography
- Body Language EP (Drag City - 2008)
- Where Were You When It Happened? (Drag City - 2009)
- Not YetNot Yet (album)Not Yet is the second full-length album by Israeli band Monotonix released January 25, 2011 on Drag City records.It was recorded by Steve Albini in Electrical Audio studio in Chicago over 3 sessions in January, April and July of 2010....
(Drag City - 2011)
7-inch releases
- Ride (Split 7" with RTX - Volcom - 2008)
- Never Died Before / Lazy Boy (Drag City - 2010)
- Fun Fun Fun / Try Try Try (Drag City - 2010)
External links
- Official site
- http://www.soundonthesound.com/?p=2644
- http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2008/03/monotonix_rules_south_by_south.php
- Interview with Monotonix, 2008
- DIRTY interview with Monotonix, November 2008
- Hex Ed. Journal with Monotonix July,2008