The Monolators
With melodic tunes, playful lyrics, a frantic stage presence, and general loudness, the Monolators present punk rock as it might be played by, say, Muppets. Elis songwriting draws on the ghost of Buddy Holly, the punk rock of New Yorks Television and the UKs Automatics, and the red-hot banjo troubadour Uncle Dave Macon; Mikes guitar arrangements pull from the likes of the Clash, 1960s surf rock, and the folk music of Phil Ochs; and Marys drumming recalls the child savants of the Langley Schools Music Project, her fondness for electronic music, and general spasms.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Los Angeles-based garage punk band The Monolators formed in the fall of 2002. Drummer Mary Chartkoff and guitarist Mike Dennis were playing together in an unnamed (and slowly dissolving) living-room jam band when banjoist Eli Chartkoff met Mary at a bar. Now a spunky trio, they shuffled between names and instruments before playing their first show as the Monolators in September 2002, with Eli singing and playing bass guitar. Since then theyve gigged constantly in the Silverlake club scene and released their debut EP, Hi-Fi Sound. Tracks from the EP made their way on to LA radio play lists, with airplay on KXLUs legendary Demolisten show, KPFKs Nixon Tapes, and KCRWs Weekend Becomes Eclectic. In May of 2003 internet zine No-Fi Magazine added to the media scrutiny of the 4-song disc with a gracious review and a plum spot on their streaming radio show, immediately following Grand Master Flash!
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
We love playing live and try to make each show better than the next. At the moment, we are primarily playing in Los Angeles but hope to start making excursions out of the city as well.
Your musical influences
Elis songwriting draws on the ghost of Buddy Holly, the punk rock of New Yorks Television and the UKs Automatics, and the red-hot banjo troubadour Uncle Dave Macon; Mikes guitar arrangements pull from the likes of the Clash, 1960s surf rock, and the folk music of Phil Ochs; and Marys drumming recalls the child savants of the Langley Schools Music Project, her fondness for electronic music, and general spasms.
What equipment do you use?
We use really cheap, no name equipment except for Mike's Gibson. If it's cute and sounds ok, we play it.
