Going to a live rock and roll concert is a collaborative and communal experience. Monotonix is a three-piece garage rock outfit from Tel Aviv Israel, but anyone who sees them live would probably swear they are from outer space. Monotonix turns traditional performance on its head and leaves any excitable concertgoer with a sore neck and jelly for legs. To give a plain image of what a Monotonix performance looks like or rather feels like, take four shots of whiskey, drink three red bulls and put on your smallest pair of gym shorts and go running. If you don’t feel like your heart is going to explode from shear rock and roll mania midway through their set, you’re probably doing something wrong. Their set in the Camden dive “Camp,” proved to be nothing less than a sweat soaked, hip-shaking, ass-slapping good time.
The typical musical performance consists of audience and performer(s), where space is shared, albeit separately. Monotonix makes a concerted effort to invade the audience’s personal space, and ignores the existence of any stage, platform or altar where they can be separated or idolized. The band always sets up their gear in front of the stage and with no particular foresight or plan in mind, moves the show from one corner of the venue to the next. The band’s constant migration all over the venue floor gave me the impression that front man Moshe Vegas’ microphone cable was three hundred yards long. Moshe spent the overwhelming majority of the show holstered up by adoring fans a couple feet below the ceiling-one gets the feeling he adores the loving touch of sweaty hands.
The band’s mobility and stamina aside, Monotonix’s attire, although completely practical for a thorough workout, doesn’t leave much to the imagination. To state the obvious, the wear booty shorts. Their minimalist fashion sense is practically their trademark these days because I don’t think anyone has ever seen these guys fully clothed. Everyone in the audience probably felt lucky that no genitalia wiggled its way out of the band’s tiny spankies, however I’m sure that “Camp’s” security and bar staff felt a little threatened as Moshe Vegas’ jumped from the bar through a decrepit trash can and into the arms of his faithful party animal fans.
One thing that strikes me about the band in particular is that they are not very young guys, or at least Vegas isn’t-he kind of looks like the Hassidic version of Jeff Bridge’s “the dude” butt 6 inches shorter and with a more weathered and road seasoned look. As someone who plays in bands and has a firm desire to experience life on the road, Moshe is true a warrior and a colossal performer. I bet he could totally kick Mick Jagger’s ass too.
Israel has been embroiled in insurmountable controversy from even before the founding of the state in 1948.Viewing the world's political climate from today’s prospective, who would ever guess that in 2010 Rock and Roll’s most daring performers would be three fun loving guys from Tel Aviv? The timeless cliché that the world works in mysterious ways remains constantly true. Monotonix has recently released two new EP’s on Drag City records. They will probably come to your town and force you to dance hysterically in the near future. I, as having experienced the madness of Monotonix first hand, would advise anyone to comply.
You really bring this experience to life and I can almost smell the sweat and alcohol (as well as the Red Bull). This is really inventive and original writing. You have a flair for painting images through words. Excellent, witty and extremely readable. Dr Q
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