Monotonix in Madison 2-13-09

Well now we know the High Noon Saloon is built to last. It's still standing after a beating tonight by Isreal's rock gang Monotonix. First seen in Madison at last year's Forward Music Fest, the band returned with the same intensity, a longer set, and even more acrobatics. Who knew the High Noon's bar could serve a second stage, with pillar Cathy Detmers faithfully serving drinks and unsuccessfully trying to hide the bar napkins from lead singer Ami as his hairy ass shook in front of her face. He managed to swipe the stack and tossed the white squares like confetti over the grateful capacity crowd, belly up to the bar and snarling to be served guitar.

The Monotonix experience has almost nothing to do with the music. In fact at one point in the show, the electric guitar was handed to someone in the crowd who ground his knuckles into the strings while the two band members launched themselves body surfing. The experience is more about poorly-fitting (and quickly stripped) vintage store female clothing, wide eyes and enthusastic screams of "Yasooo", a determination to climb to the top of the highest peak in the venue, and a guarantee that the performance will be presented face-to-face with every person in the room - from the front of the stage to the furthest balcony.

Monotonix Body Language (mp3)