Unruly Israelis

Tel Aviv trio Monotonix tear shit up

WALLS COME DOWN: Monotonix

Israeli trio Monotonix definitely earn points on their new record Body Language, with classic ’70s arena-rock riffs intermingling with punk rock urgency and the mid-’90s dementia associated with the label Amphetamine Reptile or the mighty Jesus Lizard. Unfortunately, their searing riffs on record only provide a mere glimpse of what the band is really about. Monotonix are probably the best live rock band you will see for years to come.

While gleefully speeding up blatant Sabbath riffs, this bass-less trio have become the unlikely darlings of the blogosphere, based on the jaw-dropping chaos, joy, energy and excitement of their live show alone. Choosing to forgo a stage, the band plays in the middle of the audience, though their recent SXSW gig had them taking it up a notch and actually playing on top of the audience (including the entire drum kit). If you think I’m blowing smoke here, type them into the YouTube search engine and buckle up. The Mirror spoke to drummer Haggai Fershtman over the phone while they were driving between shows in Florida on the Fuck Yeah Fest tour.

Mirror: You are well known for your explosive and unpredictable live shows. What are some of the craziest things that have happened at your shows?

Haggai Fershtman: There are just so many, and something new happens at each show that just gets crazier than the last. I guess the guy setting himself on fire in Knoxville was pretty crazy, as well as once we had a couple 69 each other in front of us while we were playing.

M: Do you ever worry about the music being overshadowed by your stage antics?

HF: Not really, because it’s all one. It’s the music that inspires us to do what we do. I think that by stretching the boundaries and taking down the separation, we encourage people to be free, party and just have a good time with us.

M: It’s funny that your audience is mainly made up of people with an indie-rock background because I really sense a classic-rock feel to a lot of your songs.

HF: Oh yeah, definitely. I think our biggest influence is ’70s rock like Yes, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, as well as bands from the ’90s like Mudhoney and Royal Trux—but ’70s rock is what we mainly listen to.

M: What is it like being a rock band in Tel Aviv?

HF: Well, for one thing, Eastern pop music sung in Hebrew is about as popular as rock music in North America, and most people in Israel listen to that. I think we are obviously influenced by Western music, but our approach to music is very Israeli. Breaking the systematic approach to performing and trying to change people’s conception of what a rock show can be definitely stems from us being Israelis.

M: What are the differences touring Israel as opposed to North America?

HF: People in Israel are lot more reserved than American audiences, who usually get really wild and drunk at our shows. Rock ’n’ roll was born here, so of course it’s going to be different and I guess more real. When we play in North America, it really connects with the original intention of what rock ’n’ roll was supposed to be about when it started.

With Brutal Knights and Team Robespierre
at la Sala Rossa on Tuesday, July 8, 9 p.m., $12