What do you get when you let three guys from Israel loose in America, with a guitar, drum kit and a microphone? Wait, first hide the scissors, and the deodorant. Give them some beverages to toss around, and, what the hell, a full garbage can to dump on the drummer. Wait, wait, make sure there's stuff to climb. And let them set up wherever they want, because if you don't, they'll move their shit anyways.
Monotonix are no spring chickens, and they aren't what you'd call good looking. But they have something that the youth of today so need. Total reckless abandon. As much as I like their music (and I do), I am in awe of their whole...thing. They have been touring America off and on for six years. They're older, crazier, and probably uglier than their audience. And yet, almost every video of them (with the exception of the in-store appearances) show them surrounded by a predominantly younger mob. It's as if they've never seen crazy before. They are that engaging. Of course it helps that they set up on the floor, not on the stage. And the singer spends more time in the crowd, than he does on, well, by, the stage. Regardless, they get it done.
The guitar, drums and vocal three piece get compared to MC5, but, to me, they sound kind of like Green River with the unhinged sloppiness of the Germs. If you know what I mean. (Listen to a few of the songs down there.) "No play for Mr. Gray," my ass.
Read more at a few of the links below, particularly the account of SXSW appearances (from 2008) at the Houston Press.
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Music:Monotonix - Before I Pass Away Not Yet mp3 at Kata Rokkar
Monotonix - Fun Fun Fun mp3 at Covert Curiosity
Monotonix - Try Try Try mp3 at Sucka Pants
Monotonix - Set Me Free mp3 at Austin Town Hall
Monotonix - Never Died Before mp3 (via Box.net) at Sonic Masala
Monotonix - Summers & Autumns mp3 at Pampelmoose
Monotonix - Intervista mp3 at Maps
Monotonix - Give Me More mp3 at Rock Insider
Video:
Monotonix - Deadly Weapon (live) video at YouTube
Monotonix - Live at Primavera Sound Festival (2010) video at YouTube
Monotonix- A bunch more videos at YouTube
Read:
Monotonix profile and review at Houston Press
Monotonix at Wikipedia
Monotonix at Facebook
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