Part 2.

Helmet video series. Here is part 2. Counting down the days until I get my disc in the mail. It's going straight into iTunes!

Helmet releases their 7th full length album on 9/7/2010. MONO is there to capture the album in the making. A behind the look video of what goes on during the Seeing Eye Dog sessions.

Dub Kweli.

Here's another one by Max Tannone, the creator of Jaydiohead, Mos Dub, and Double Check Your Head. Make sure you get this one...download it here!



Dub Kweli by Max Tannone

Top 3 albums @ MONO headquarters for 2010.

Here they are in no particular order:

1. Curren$y - Pilot Talk

Ski Beatz + Curren$y = The perfect cocktail. These two were made to create music together. I was most impressed at how stripped some of the tracks were. If anything it brings you into the music at a very intimate level. This album is laidback.



2. The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a Scheme

I was anticipating the release of this album for a long time. I have been a fan of the Radio Dept. and was excited to hear that they were going to release this one. It was finally released in April and it's been on repeat ever since. Their combination of dream pop and indie remind me of all the 80's greats. Prefab Sprout and New Order immediately come to mind.



3. Beach House - Teen Dream

If ever there was a voice that could remind you os Stevie Nicks, it's got to be Beach House's Victoria Legrand. This album will haunt you with both vocals and instrumentation.

Helmet - Seeing Eye Dog Sessions

Helmet releases their 7th full length album on 9/7/2010. MONO is there to capture the album in the making. A behind the look video of what goes on during the Seeing Eye Dog sessions.

BATTLES, down to 3 members.

Some of you might have heard that BATTLES, is now a trio. Tyondai Braxton has left the band to pursue his solo works. I don't think the departure is immediate, as the band is working on it's second full length LP which is HIGHLY anticipated. Touring for the new album might be left to the three remaining members, John Stanier, Ian Williams, and Dave Konopka.

Many BATTLES fans have been calling for replacement. Who would that be?

Mike Patton - This is an obvious choice. Stanier has worked with him in the past. (Tomahawk). He is also a wizard at all things strange and the ex-Faith No More frontman is not unfamiliar with experimental music. See his work with John Zorn and Fantomas. His work with Peeping Tom is also amazing and don't forget Mr. Bungle as well.

Threads we like: Supra Footwear!

This is another one from our bud Lex Sadler. Man has got taste, and these kicks are absolute tastiness. I definitely see borrowed classics here, but definitely with sick color waves. You can also never go wrong with a slick black sneaker. It goes with almost anything you throw at it. Skinny jeans, trousers, clown pants, shorts...the whole nine yards. Supra definitely has the cred to show branding from the lineage of KR3W, the uber skate company that houses some names like Steve Aoki and Chad Muska. Supra's are also affordable, so go out and buy 10 pairs. You'll need something to match those knickerbockers.

Team Emmett. Courage to Conquer.

Emmett Stallings is a drummer, father, husband and a cancer patient. He is fighting to keep the first three titles and we know he is going to be shedding that last one. I first received an email a little over a year ago from Emmett, and though our interaction was brief, we had a common bond. He was a MONO artist. In between our emails up until now, something happened. Here is an excerpt from Emmett's website:

March 20th, 2010
Wow -
Time flies when you have a lot on your plate. My lack of updates here though can be summed up in one word. Cancer. I was recently diagnosed with Cancer, and I am on it full time right now, beating this evil disease. You can read more here: It explains th whole back story, and the current day to day fight. I am currently keeping that one updated, with the new news of what’s going on and how things are progressing. There are good days, and bad days, I am praying for tons more of the good ones of course!

I also know that through this site, you can donate to help out if you want, and get some Team Emmett wristbands (much like I use when I play drums or percussion) and I think T-shirts even. Soon there are rumors of a full length mix CD of tunes that I have played on being available if you want to grab one. Anyways. I will swing by here as much as possible to keep you all updated, and hopefulyl let you know when I am going to be working on another project soon. I have one or two, that are in the works, or were, when I got tossed in the hospital, so i am hoping to get back to those and to start swinging at those a little more hard core!

Glad to see you all here again, and I look forward to catching up with you soon!



The support for Emmett has been tremendous. The music community out in Nashville is seriously stepping up and hosting a concert to help raise funds for Emmett and his family. One thing about cancer is that it is extremely expensive to cure so please consider donating. To learn more about the concert please follow the link.

Serena-Maneesh

Shoegaze from Norway is mind-blowing. You can see why these guys were opening for NIN during a 2007 tour. Their newest album "Serena Maneesh 2: Abyss in B Minor" kind of takes you on a journey pretty much similar to the Blair Witch Project. It's all too real and haunted. Don't let the twisted sounds scare you away, just embrace them.

Released under the hand of the UK based label 4AD, SM finds themselves back at it from a long hiatus from their first self titled album back in 2005. A lot of people were waiting for this one. For fans of My Bloody Valentine...most def.

Atkinson Basses

Everyone knows vintage instruments are going way up in price. For the last 10 years we've seen the stock of these instruments soar and become investments. Even some of the lesser quality instruments that were made in the 70's have seen spikes in pricing. There are now a ton of companies that are trying to keep up with the aesthetics of these vintage instruments, but they do come at a price.

Atkinson Custom Basses now offers these at a much reduced cost. I am a sucker for a vintage looking instrument especially at an incredibly affordable price. Atkinson offers J and P style basses with a few great options like true nitro finishing upgrades and relicing. Instruments usually take anywhere from 2-3 weeks to complete once orders are received. Starting at $850, these instruments will be of the same caliber as a USA made Fender but a much better price. I might have to pick one of these up.

Helmet - Seeing Eye Dog...album dropping 9/7/2010

Helmet's latest will be dropping on September 7th followed by a tour for the ages! Their US tour to support the album will see them all the from Oakland to Calgary back to their hometown of Los Angeles. Grab your pre-orders now here!



MONO was fortunate to have the opportunity to sit in with the band as they recorded @ Entourage Studios in Hollywood. We caught up with the guys while they started their initial tracks laying down the drums and doing overdubs. The better of 2 days were filmed and documented which will be revealed later.

Matisyahu w/Dub Trio

Chants of "One more song!!!" still echoing in my brain! This show put me over the edge. It was a superb night to be backstage with Matisyahu and the Dub Trio boys. Great catching up with all of them. They were on double duty as the openers and a full set with Matis.

Dub Trio's newest album is about to hit us as well. Stay tuned!

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

I've been waiting for this one for a long time. I've been hooked on these fine Canadiens from the get go. Their peak, so far, being Neon Bible which was on repeat for a long long time. This latest album, "The Suburbs" is set to release today in the UK and then tomorrow here in the US of A. You can pre-order this album now choosing multiple platforms for a digital download and then working up to double 12" vinyls. The Suburbs is released in 8 different covers and it's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. Also boasting 16 tracks, this one is for listeners. Easily a disc you can pop in and go into AF bliss.

The album is getting some considerable attention and could land into Neon Bible territory. It may be a bit of a stretch to say that, but with enough commercial success I could easily see a huge following for the efforts put in here. AF never redefines themselves during this album but carries on their sound from where they left off. It's going to be interesting how everyone responds to it. Are they going to be lifted up onto the shoulders of their fans? Or are they going to be trampled under the heavy foot of pre-Suburbs fanbase. I feel adoration should be fitting here. They continue to amaze people with their live set. If ever that dies...so they do as well.