Eli Chartkoff: Vocals,Guitar
Mary Chartkoff: Drums
Ray Gurrola: Lead Guitar
Ashley Jex: Bass
Jillinda Palmer: Keys
Influences
Buddy Holly. Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers. Uncle Dave Macon. Pulp. Talkng Heads. David Bowie. Roxy Music. ABBA. Luv'. Amanda Lear. Emm't Swank. Janelle Monáe. Madge.
Sounds Like
Our friend Jack said that we sound like Buddy Holly might if he were really, really drunk. Yea verily.
With their unique blend of 50’s rock and 70’s punk and their increasingly talked about live performances; where drumsets are used as jumping platforms, food fights ensue and an occasional head bleeds, The Monolators have come a long way since their beginning in 2002 as the husband and wife duo of Eli (vocals, guitar) and Mary (drums) Chartkoff. With two full lengths under their belt (2003’s Rejection Set Me Free, 2006’s Our Tears Have Wings) and last fall’s You Look Good on the Train EP, the group is now a four piece with the addition of Ashley Jex on bass and Tom Bogdon on guitar. In the last few years, The Monolators have increased their presence in Los Angeles east side music scene and are now pleased to announce the release of their third full length Don’t Dance on October 21, 2008.
Clocking in at just over 34 minutes, the 10 tracks that make up Don’t Dance find the band exploring new musical territory while maintaining their well known rambunctiousness. "I Must Be Dreaming" starts off the album with a group of frantic handclaps in time while Mary's rumbling floor tom beats beneath--soon enough after a few attention-grabbing lines are shout-singed from Eli, the track erupts into a full band effort. “Oh No, Everything has Changed” is Eli’s most endearing love song to date with backing vocals from guests Ben Haywood and Heather Bray of Summer Darling. Other standout tracks include the title track “Don’t Dance”, the infectious “Hearts Going Steady”, “CA 3A 569” and live favorite “This is Goodbye”. Eli’s lyrics explore his unique narratives of airplane wine, gum cigarettes and waiting for an elevator, while musically the band has incorporated more than the usual guitar, bass and drums that make up their live show. Acoustic guitars, piano and synths can be found throughout the album. Wendy Wang from The Sweet Hurt and Ashley Jex contributed all the synth parts and they are on best display for “Don’t Dance (Reprise)” that closes the album as Wang re-mixes the track to the point where it’s impossible to follow the title’s command.
Don’t Dance was produced, recorded and engineered by Raymond Richards (Idaho Falls, Broken West, Ferraby Lionheart) at his Red Rockets Glare studio in West LA. The album will be released in October and made available on vinyl and via digital download. Mastering for the digital tracks was done by Mark Chalecki (Earlimart, Radar Bros) and vinyl by Pete Lyman(No Age, Bodies of Water). Special guest singers include Wendy Wang (The Sweet Hurt), Angela Correa (Correatown) and Nate Cole (Castledoor). The Monolators were honored by LA Times “Buzz Bands”, to be included in their Top 25 Songs of 2007 for “You Look Good On The Train” as well as having “Red Lamb” being named one of 2006’s best songs by influential UK blog The Devil Has the Best Tuna.
The Monolators are also very proud that their music has been played on every major indie radio station in Los Angeles: tracks from their demos and album received airplay on KCRWs Weekend Becomes Eclectic, Indie 103.1's Check 1-2-3, KXLUs legendary Demolisten and KPFKs Nixon Tapes.
aaaaahhhhh! Soon I Hope. Right now we're recording and waiting for half of the band to get back in town. EP release sometime in the next - oh 3 months........ maybe.
