”

However dominant Hebrew pop radio is perceived to be by the Israeli indie music scene, all three members note that the cultural differences are deeper than just available venues and other supportive band structures. There’s also the issue of music sensibilities. Monotonix are heavy on guitar solos, driving beats, and noise rock-influenced vocals. Their sound has been labeled everything from classic rock revival to gutter-garage. Monotonix is comfortable with the label of performance art rock band, a genre that may be perceived as idiosyncratic to the majority of Israelis, particularly because of Monotonix’s emphasis on what the band says are its “party” sentiments.

“It’s kind of weird,” Gat says. “Israeli mentality is very open and loud, but the music they like is very sad minor-key songs, like the suffering of the Jews or something—I’m just kidding, but you get my drift.”

“It’s not a joke,” Shalev adds. “In Israel, our music doesn’t fit the mentality—and I’m being serious right now—people in Israel don’t have the tradition of getting a real party [together]. People in Israel get a party together just to run away from things. Israel is…a mellow country.”

“Did you say ‘mellow country’?” Gat asks. “But if you go to bars and stuff, it’s pretty crazy.”

“Like trance parties,” Fershtman interjects.

“But it’s not a way of life,” Shalev argues. “It’s more like escapism. In Israel, music is escapism.”

“Rock music is escapism,” Gat counters, adding, “For Israelis— I’m talking about the mentality; I’m not trying to generalize—sad songs about heartbreak or suffering, that’s all people like to hear. It’s very different from [the United States]. I once heard an interview with someone—I don’t remember who, someone from an American band talking about a single from his band not making it—and he said, ‘Yeah, they told me to choose an upbeat song. But I had to choose this sad song, because I liked it.’ In Israel it’s just the complete opposite. If you want people to like your song, it would be better if you like a sad song or a quiet song.”

This predilection is one of the many reasons why Monotonix looks forward to performing and playing its shows abroad. Many Israeli rock bands have noted that the availability of performance venues, the faster exchange of information, and the larger audience base are elements to make touring the United States a band necessity, despite the long process of visa applications and the red tape some bands encounter once they arrive.

Monotonix’s live-show enthusiasm also elicits an audience response that isn’t often accessible in Israel’s indie music scene. The excitability factor of American audiences is particularly something they always take away from touring the United States.

“We just want people to feel free and let go and do whatever they want,” Gat says. “In the beginning, when we played in front of nobody or we played in front of five people, we could run around the room and do whatever. But now we get to some places that when we get there—even before we play—we feel that people really want to go crazy. The audience is already going insane for us. We just have to stand there and give the energy and play our songs.”

 

- Sheba White

- Photos by John Sturdy

 

Monotonix: www.monotonix.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pages: 1 2

 Email This | Digg This | StumbleUpon | Facebook
Posted to Music Features on Thursday, July 17th, 2008 by michael.