Feed Us A Live Insect

Ten Years of Tears tapes in stores!

2013-01-01T13:49:00.001-08:00

Our Ten Years of Tears retrospective tape has made it into some physical stores! It's at Amoeba (in the 'new CD' section, which is kinda funny for a cassette) and Permanent Records in Eagle Rock. They will soon be at Vacation Vinyl and, eventually, Burger Records, although it might take a couple of weeks for it to get to Burger.

If you are inclined to buy a copy it would be extra super specially great to get it from one of these places--but of course if you're not in town you can buy a copy here. One million thanks to Geoff of Vanity Projects for making this happen!

The Talk

2012-12-18T09:42:00.001-08:00

For those of you who weren't able to see our set last night, we made an announcement. Here is (more or less) what I said:

Over the past ten years Mary and I have been privileged to have so many wonderful people playing with us in the Monolators, and we're grateful for the time, energy, and love they gave to be a part of it. Inevitably life and family and school and work does get in the way, and the time comes for them to step down and move on to a new part of their lives. It's Ray's turn now, he needs to spend more time concentrating on his education and his work--so last night's show was actually the second-to-last that he'll play with us. We will miss him very much, but we're also very proud of him and we know he's doing the right thing.

This puts the future of the Monolators into question. We aren't looking right now to replace Ray, and we aren't interested in having the band go back to a two-piece, so we have decided to put Monolators on hold for now. Of course we aren't going to stop making music--Mary and I have already been playing as a duo called Dawn Of Sequins, and it makes more sense to us right now to put our energy into that band instead. You can expect more Dawn of Sequins shows in the future and a full-length record in 2013, which we're very excited about.

But Dawn of Sequins isn't just Monolators Lite plus sequins. No, it is a different entity, with its own repertoire and aesthetic. Plus sequins. So please bear that in mind.

I want to be clear on something: I'm not saying that we're DONE done with the Monolators. It's really, really hard for us to say goodbye to something that we've both poured so much of our lives into for the past ten years. Neither of us likes the idea that we'll never play the Monolators songs again (I'm not gonna lie--tears have been shed at the prospect), and honestly when we did our ten year anniversary show in September I felt that we still had a lot of life left in the machine. There may very well come a time when our situation changes and we want to make another garage rock record, and at that point the Monolators will play again. I truly do want that to happen, I just don't know when it will be.

So: we are going to play one last show sometime after the New Year. I'm not sure what day or venue yet, we're still trying to figure that out. We have decided that the only thing to do is to make it an ALL REQUEST SHOW. Do you have a song of ours that you really really want to hear? Send us your request! Doesn't matter what it is, we will do it, whatever it is (obviously it has to be a song from one of our records--we're not re-creating our God Of Thunder cover, sorry). If we get three requests, our last show will be three songs long. If we get twelve, it will be twelve. And I think we're going to have to limit it to one request per person, unfortunately--no "please do the entire side A of the Don't Dance LP." Give us a single song. You can send it to mail[at]themonolators[dot]com or send us a facebook message, either is fine. I will let you all know when we have our date and venue nailed down.

Oh and don't bother requesting Best Friends In Space, because that one's a given. Of course we're playing that one.

I think that's it for right now. Writing this makes me sadder than I can describe, and yet Mary and I are both looking towards the future. It looks pretty good.

Thanks everybody. We love you all.

-Ray, Mary, and Eli
The Monolators

Photo by LA Underground

2012-12-17T15:36:00.001-08:00

He started a joke

2012-10-29T08:15:00.002-07:00

Apparently.

WARHORSE

2012-10-26T11:59:00.001-07:00

From this week's LA Weekly:

An hour of Laughs, Emotions, Hits, And Especially Magic

2012-10-24T13:51:00.003-07:00

Here's a sweet b&w bee gees show from 1971 in Australia. I hadn't really started listening to their pre-disco stuff until pretty recently, and one thing that I notice from this show is how many of their songs are ballads--um, basically, all of them. Pretty great ballads, but yeah. They're not exactly rocking hard here,

Still a great show--full orchestra! Harps! To Love Somebody sounds great...and this my favorite version of Spicks and Specks (their very first Australian hit).

Also--I did not realize, until watching these shows, that Maurice's name is pronounced "Morris."

Bee Gees show this Monday at the Echo

2012-10-23T14:13:00.001-07:00

I haven't written enough about this, but our next show is this one, which is happening Monday night at The Echo:

https://www.facebook.com/events/384371751630854/?ref=ts&fref=ts

We haven't done a Halloween show since the Abbalators which, the internet tells me, was 3 WHOLE YEARS AGO. Shock gasp! Anyway, some people asked me why we aren't doing another ABBA show, and while I loved doing the first one, we felt that without Ashley and Jillinda in the band that was basically an unrepeatable show. So, we decided to look at great trios instead, and settled on this very fine group from Australia that you might have heard of:

It goes without saying that I've been looking forward to a chance to play some Bee Gees for a long time--but, like the ABBA show, I have to warn you that while we may play some songs that you're familiar with, we're definitely NOT playing them the same way as the Bee Gees themselves, so purists looking for soundalikes will go away disappointed, I'm afraid. And we agreed that we wouldn't play Staying Alive, either. But they have about 50 billion other songs, so it wasn't hard to find other great ones to get into.

Each of us is going as a particular Bee Gee, although we aren't necessarily playing the same instruments as the individual brothers did (since none of the Gibbs played drums). Can you guess who will be Barry?

See you on Monday!

PS: anyone know where we can get some really tight satin pants?

PPS: I'm pleased to note that there are a whole bunch of complete Bee Gees live shows up on youtube at the moment--I've been enjoying this 1974 Melbourne show quite a bit, particularly the random b-roll footage of them riding around on horses, and Maurice's velvet/planets blazer ensemble.

Covering Up: new song about swimsuits

2012-09-28T08:28:00.003-07:00

One of the two new songs from the Vanity Projects cassette. This one is metal and is about Italian swimsuits. The rest of the cassette can be heard/ordered here.

Covering Up by The Monolators

10 Years of Tears cassette now available

2012-09-27T08:23:00.004-07:00

For those who missed it, our new retrospective cassette from Vanity Projects is up on bandcamp. You can listen for free or download a digital copy...9 bux, which works out to fifty cents per song. FIDDY. OR you can buy a cassette copy for much much less. It's all there, waiting for you. Options!

LINK: http://monolators.bandcamp.com/album/ten-years-of-tears

Photo by Geoff Geis

Many thanks to LA Underground

2012-09-26T08:37:00.003-07:00

I feel terrible that I'm just posting about this now, but I was so wiped out by Saturday's show that I spent the last three days as a puddle of gelatin.

Please please take a look at this extremely kind writeup by LA Underground, including

a wonderful video for Let's Be Best Friends In Space made up of vintage Monolators performance footage going all the way back to the Mike era. Even the shirtless Eli era! It's all there. Thank you X100000000 to LA Underground, you're the best.

http://www.la-underground.net/2012/09/los-angeles-loves-monolators.html

Ten Years of Tears cassette giveaway!

2012-09-21T10:29:00.002-07:00

Vanity Projects and Radio Free Silverlake have announced that they have two copies of our new cassette for free giveaway--all you gotta do is write RFSL and share a favorite song or memorable experience. I think the idea is that it should be Monolators-related. I can't guide you on any specifics (that would seem to be unfair) but if you feel the need to lie copiously, I will still respect you in the morning. Just make it a good lie.

Details here:
http://radiofreesilverlake.typepad.com/rfsl/2012/09/monolators-ten-years-of-tears-cassette-giveaway.html

Thanks everybody! Hope to see you tomorrow!

Nice lil writeup on new cassette from Austin--and--archived interview

2012-09-20T09:11:00.003-07:00

In case you missed it, our Tuesday evening interview can be heard in the KCHUNG archives. Check here and listen to "strip mall"--interview starts at about 24 minutes in, although the music is great throughout the show and I encourage you to listen to the whole thing. Thanks Erik & Geoff!

http://www.kchungradio.org/archive/index.php?path=2012-09-18/

ALSO--we got a super kind little writeup on our 10 Years Of Tears cassette at Austin Town Hall. You can still pre-order the tape, and we'll of course have copies at Saturday's show.

And finally: I ran into some Kissing Cousins at Downtown Rehearsal last night. They were rehearsing! It's gonna be totally sweeet!

Image search result for "totally sweeet":

Archived mp3 of last night's KCHUNG interview is up

2012-09-19T10:13:00.000-07:00

For those who missed it: Mary and I did a brief interview about Saturday's show on Chinatown's own KCHUNG radio--the show is "Strip mall" hosted Erik Felix and with guest host Geoff Geis (both of So Many Wizards).

You can listen to it here--click on the link for "stripmall-09.18.2012.mp3"
http://www.kchungradio.org/archive/index.php?path=2012-09-18/

Interview starts about 24 minutes in, but you should listen to the rest of the show if you can because the music is (to quote a favorite Geoffism) totally sich. I'm gonna be a regular listener now. Thanks Erik & Geoff!

Google Image search result for "sich":

KCHUNG interview on Tuesday night

2012-09-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

We have a phone interview coming up on Chinatown's own KCHUNG Radio on Tuesday, in the 10-11pm block! Our first phone interview. Geoff Geis (whose Vanity Projects label is putting out our new cassette, and is also playing solo on Saturday) and Erik Felix of So Many Wizards host. I imagine pretzels will be discussed, among other things. Tune in on your AM dial to 1630 or stream live here: http://www.kchungradio.org/schedule.html

Cher Lloyd cover on Mabson Enterprises

2012-09-06T08:46:00.002-07:00

I can do no better than to quote an fb post from the good people at Vanity Projects: "Yo check out this generation-defining mixtape with a track from Geoff Geis and a total rager by the The Monolators."

http://mabsonenterprises.bandcamp.com/album/want-u-back

20-odd covers/remixes of Want U Back. I gotta say that I am very stupidly proud of our Cher Lloyd. Recorded last Thursday, live straight to cassette 4 track, 1 take. BAM. Well actually we did overdub the bg vocals/handclaps and bass, but the drums, guitar, and lead vocal (IE--THE MEAT) were all live live live, fueled by beer.

Our track is below, but check the whole mixtape, I like the versions from Geoff Geis/Sarah Cisco, Simo Soo, and Treasure Mammal especially--a ton of rad stuff on there.

Want U Back by The Monolators

Ten Years of Tears cassette pre-order

2012-08-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

We're getting closer to our anniversary--exciting!

For those of you interested in our retrospective cassette coming out next month on the Vanity Projects label, you can now pre-order copies on Geoff's tumblr site, which is here:

http://vanityprojects.tumblr.com/tenyearsoftears

It's $5 plus $1.50 shipping/handling. I'm not actually sure how many cassettes are being made, but there won't be umpteen bazillions, so if you'd like a copy, please do follow the link above. Thanks!

10th Anniversary + Vanity Projects cassette

2012-08-13T08:39:00.002-07:00

On September 22, 2002 we played our first show as The Monolators at, yes, Zen Sushi in Silverlake. Zen Sushi is long gone, but we're still kicking, and to celebrate we're playing a 10 year anniversary show at Pehrspace on September 22, 2012. Joining us will be our friends Kissing Cousins and Geoff Geis--and speaking of Geoff, in observance of our aluminum anniversary he very kindly offered to release a retrospective cassette covering the first ten years of Monolators history on his Vanity Projects label. So the Pehrspace show will also be our tape release show, and we couldn't be prouder.

The tape is called Ten Years Of Tears--both Mary and I curated a side apiece, and we tried to include favorites from each era of the Monolators, going back to our very first EP from 2002. We also decided to record two new songs for the tape--they're called "Covering Up" and "Driving In The City," and they will be only available on the compilation--just like on Madonna's Immaculate Collection! Just exactly like that.

More news as I have it. Hope you all are well, and we are very happy to come back.

-Eli, Mary, and Ray

More Dave Matthews fans offended

2012-06-21T10:32:00.001-07:00

(Click to enlarge)

Just found this. We get two thumbs down! TWO! In retrospect I do kind of feel kind of bad for picking on Dave, he seems like a nice kinda guy. Dave, if you ever read this, I just want to say that I do NOT feel you are satanic.

"edit: not offended. still think it sucks "

Silkscreens for Long Beach

2012-06-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

Making new Don't Dance covers for the Thursday show. New colors. Can't remember the last time we did this.

Monolators @ Prospector Thursday June 21 w. Tom Bogdon

2012-06-15T10:22:00.001-07:00

Last show (I think) until Ray recovers, with Historical Monolator / Chief Shirley Roller Tom Bogdon on guitar. Prospector in Long Beach, Thursday June 21. We play @ 10:30. Stoked.

Prospector on Thursday June 21

2012-06-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

Things have been kinda quiet around here for a while, what with Ray still recovering from his bike/car accident. I saw him the other day and he's doing better, so we hope he'll be playing again in time for our 10th Anniversary show in September. More news on that in a bit.

We do have a show, however, next Thursday (the 21st) at the Prospector in Long Beach. We had thought Ray would be able to play that one, but since he can't, we asked Mr. Tom Bogdon to fill in and he has graciously assented. This might be the only Monolators show until the Fall--I'm not sure--but in any event we'd love to see you there if you can make it:

Facebook event linkie here

No poster for this show? I guess I'll just post this and pretend it's for our show:

More on Ray

2012-05-08T15:30:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted since Mechanookie, I was just worn out...

We just learned that there's been some complications with Ray's recovery from his bike accident in March, and he likely isn't going to be back and ready to play again until the end of Summer or even the Fall. I hope he's ready to go for our 10th anniversary show in September. At any rate, please send him best wishes and let him know you're thinking of him.

We had booked a couple of Monolators shows for June, thinking that Ray would be better by then, and we'll play them with Tom sitting in--but I think after that we're going to hold off until Ray is all fixed up. Until then, Mary and I are playing in a duo band you might not have heard about called Dawn of Sequins. Please check it out.

Thanks...hope to have some more cheerful news soon.

PS: RIP MCA.

Mechanookie live on Saturday at 9pm

2012-04-13T22:53:00.001-07:00

We're finally doing the live performance of Mechanookie, all 6 episodes, Saturday the 14th at 9pm at The Hudson Theater in Hollywood. Details at www.mechanookie.com.

This is the culmination of nearly 2 years of work. If you're not at Coachella this weekend we'd love to see you.

Tickets for Live Mechanookie still available

2012-04-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

we've been working like dogs to get ready for the live Mechanookie show this Saturday at the Hudson Theater in Hollywood, and I hope you can come. You don't need to have listened to any of the episodes to follow along, we're doing the whole play from front to back. Tickets still available here:
www.mechanookie.com

Hope you can make it!

Tickets for live Mechanookie show in April on sale now

2012-03-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce that tickets to the live show of Mechanookie, with the full cast and music and everything, are on sale now--you can buy tickets via paypal here:
http://www.mechanookie.com/tickets.php

$10 for an evening of short pants and Joan Collins. Show is on Saturday, April 14 at 9pm at the Hudson Theater (yes, an actual theater with seats) in Hollywood. No other bands, the show actually starts at 9pm! Hope to see you there.