Band
Jamie Linhart - Drums, Vocals
How long have you been playing?
22 years
Who/what first got you into playing music?
Who are some of your influences?
Tommy Lee, John Bonham , Ian Paice
When was your first time, onstage, and what was it like?
It was at a birthday party, it was rather lame.
What other instruments do you play?
Lousy guitar
If you didn’t play drums, what would you like to play, in a band?
Sing
What has been your favorite moment, onstage, ever?
Opening for Quiet Riot
What has been your least favorite moment, onstage, ever?
Don’t really know of one outside of the aforementioned birthday party
Who/what is currently in your car stereo/MP3 player?
New Goo Goo Dolls cd, just downloaded Deep Purple Perfect Strangers, Mean Street Van Halen, Bad Day by Daniel Powter and Black Horse and the Cherry Tree by KT Tunstall.
Tell me 3 songs or artists that people might be surprised to hear that you like.
Willie Nelson, Chris Isaak, and Fleetwood Mac
What was your first instrument?
Guitar/Trumpet
Any nerves prior to, or while, onstage?
Not anymore
What is the story behind “Man in The Sand”?
About Woody Guthrie being reveled by his family whom he abandoned. Based on a film by the same name.
What are some of your other interests?
Sports
What is your favorite Monophonics song, and why?
Ashes, its deep.
What is your personal songwriting process?
Bang out 3 chords and let Jazz or Steve make it into something palatable
Other than music, what would be your dream job?
Radio DJ or Sports announcer
Favorite movie or show?
Currently The Office
Ever had any sort of formal musical instruction?
3 trumpet lessons, I wish I had them though. My technique is horrible and probably beyond repair.
How would you describe yourself, offstage? Your bandmates?
Dad. Band mates offstage are no different than onstage which is a big plus.
Jim Holland - Guitar, Bass, Vocals
How long have you been playing?
Been playing guitar since I was about 12, so about 26 years.
Who/what first got you into playing music?
Actually, it was my father. I would wake up on Saturday mornings, to the sound of him blaring his ratty old Conrad Jaguar copy, through a Silvertone Twin Twelve combo, and my mom screaming to turn it down, and I thought it was the single most incredible thing in the world.
Who are some of your influences?
Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert,
Ronnie Le Tekro (TNT),
When was your first time, onstage, and what was it like?
Actually, I started off as a singer, and we were playing a battle of the bands. We opened with Scorpions – Blackout, did Loudness – Rock And Roll Crazy Nights, and even some Jag Panzer – Harder Than Steel. From that moment, I was addicted. Nothing beats the high from being on stage.
What other instruments do you play?
Bass (which I do on some songs), sing, and piss-poor drums.
If you didn’t play guitar, which one would you like to play, in a band?
Drums. I have respect for any guy who can swing sticks, and stomp, all night, while holding a beat………I’m not that guy. Jamie’s one of the best drummers, I have ever had the pleasure of playing with. He makes it look too easy.
What has been your favorite moment, onstage, ever?
Opening for a friend’s
band, in
What has been your least favorite moment, onstage, ever?
Driving all the way to a club, to play in front of a crowd, that you can count, on one hand.
Who/what is currently in your car stereo/MP3 player?
The Supersuckers. They rock. I really like their version of the old Smokey And The Bandit theme, “East Bound And Down”, and Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak”.
Tell me 3 songs or artists that people might be surprised to hear that you like.
The Cars. I’ve been a big Cars fan for most of my life. “Don’t Tell Me No” STILL gives me chills.
The Ramones. One of the all-time best bands, period. Joey’s version of “What A Wonderful World” still saddens me, everytime I hear it.
The Muffs. There is something about their music that really strikes a chord, in me, deep inside. Kim Shattuck is one sexy little mink (purrrrrr).
What was your first instrument?
For Christmas, the one year, my parents got me a Harmony Les Paul copy, cause dad’s Conrad had one foot in the grave. Surprisingly, that Harmony played incredibly well (must’ve lucked out and got the only good one ever made). For graduation, I received a Charvel Model 4, when everyone else was getting a car.
Any nerves prior to, or while, onstage?
Never have. And the more people, the merrier.
What is the story behind “Girls Like You”?
This song was written from a decent amount of rejection experiences. You know: The girl that you can’t seem to get off your mind, but yet she doesn’t even know you exist. Actually, when I wrote it, I had Kim Shattuck, of The Muffs, singing it, it mind, and it was, of course, called “Boys Like You”. Problem was, since it was written with female vocals in mind, I couldn’t quite sing high enough to complete the demo, so I handed it off to Jazz for some melody tweaking, and it came back a totally different song. I don’t know. I still like the original, better, though.
What are some of your other interests?
Computers. I STILL play Quake III Arena almost every night. It’s very therapeutic.
Wrenching on cars. I miss my 68’ Chevelle, these days (sniff).
What is your favorite Monophonics song, and why?
Right now, it’s “Love Doesn’t Come Easy”, but Mr. Jazz has some terrific songs, that we are currently recording, that will be sure to steal the spot.
What is your personal songwriting process?
I usually trying to change things up: Pluck on the guitar, Sing a vocal melody, riff away in a corner, on some poetic verses. I usually have lots of bits and pieces, but since I am rather critical of myself, I tend to look at it, the next day, and scrap the whole thing. I really need to focus more, on writing, and give the ideas a chance to take form.
Other than music, what would be your dream job?
Movie, special effects work. I’d love to work with Tom Savini. That, or work on the show, Mythbusters. Adam and Jamie have the coolest jobs around!
Favorite movie or show?
I’m definitely an 80’s child, so anybody that knows me, knows it has to be old-school 80’s movies: Better Off Dead, Sixteen Candles (I WAS Farmer Ted, in 9th grade!), Private School (Pheobe Cates, in cherry-print aerobics tights? ME-OW!)
As for TV, it Has to be The Young Ones. We all are fans, and chances are, dialog from the show is worked into every practice, and gig.
Ever had any sort of formal musical instruction?
No actual guitar lessons. I am self-taught, and play totally by ear. Can’t read sheet music to save MY LIFE!
I actually was involved in high school musicals, and graduated high school, in the school choir. I felt that those experiences would help me, vocally, and they actually did.
How would you describe yourself, offstage? Your bandmates?
It’s hard to believe from these rants, but if you don’t know me, I can be kinda shy. It’s when you get to know me, that ya gotta look out! I like to joke, a lot. It makes me happy, anytime I can make someone smile or laugh.
Everyone else in the band is like a family, to me. Yeah, we are bandmates, but it’s the friendship that comes first. I look forward to every rehearsal, and every show, I play, with them. Yeah, it’s nice when, at the end of the night, to have some money in your pocket, but it means nothing, if you’re not having fun, up there, and more than anything, that’s what we are doing. Having fun.
Jazz - Guitar, Acoustic, Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
How long have you been playing?
Since I was four or five… although I’ve gotten slightly better at it since then
Who/what first got you into playing music?
Brother Dave & Cousin
John during a visit to
Who are some of your influences?
Killian’s Red & most darker beers… and everthing from Jerry Vale to W.A.S.P.
When was your first time, onstage, and what was it like?
My first time was when I was in high school, we skipped a football game and snuck into a vacant house, the rest is history…it wasn’t on a stage…it was kinda warm and felt nice. She was on top…
What other instruments do you play?
Radio, Drums, Keyboards, learning the violin soon…
If you didn’t play guitar, what would you like to play, in a band?
It depends on what type of music. If I was in an old time country band, I’d be the drummer or bassist. If I was in a metal band definitely bass. Rock band, I’d play any instrument and/or sing…
What has been your favorite moment, onstage, ever?
First song of the night…
What has been your least favorite moment, onstage, ever?
Last song of the night…
Who/what is currently in your car stereo/MP3 player?
Fields of the Nephilim and audio books…at the moment
Tell me 3 songs or artists that people might be surprised to hear that you like.
Ani DiFranco – because she is pure emotion in her writing. All of the Cirque Du Soleil soundtracks because they kick ass. Vangelis for both of the previous reasons.
What was your first instrument?
An acoustic guitar that
my parents got for me while we were in
Any nerves prior to, or while, onstage?
No, I just usually like to be by myself
What are the stories behind your songs?
Angst…
What are some of your other interests?
Cooking, traveling, fish tanks, video games, drinking in pubs…
What is your favorite Monophonics song, and why?
It depends on my mood… “Blink Twice”, “Don’t Leave,” and “All These Roads” are among my favorites…I sing “Oh Yeah” a lot too
What is your personal songwriting process?
Don’t have one. There is no formula…I just create little things that I like, ideas more than anything else, and sometimes they blossom into something bigger and many times they don’t… Lyrics usually happen later and song titles sometimes are last thing I come up with.
Other than music, what would be your dream job?
WWII fighter pilot.
Favorite movie or show?
Lots of stuff…Tripping
the Rift, Star Wars,
Ever had any sort of formal musical instruction?
Yes, guitar, bass, vocal lessons and the business there of…
How would you describe yourself, offstage?
I’m never offstage…
Steve Linhart - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Erik - Vocals, Acoustic
How long have you been singing?
Since chorus class in grade school.
Who/what first got you into playing music?
Chorus Teacher.
Who are some of your influences?
Cindi Lauper, Deborah Harry, Joan Jett and Pat Benatar.
When was your first time, onstage, and what was it like?
In 8th grade, I played guitar and sang, “Hands Across America.”
What other instruments do you play?
All rock instruments.
If you didn’t sing, which one would you like to play, in a band?
I’m content singing. Amps are heavy.
What has been your favorite moment, onstage, ever?
That time those girls threw Jim’s underwear up at me.
What has been your least favorite moment, onstage, ever?
The time I introduced the band, all except Jamie.
Who/what is currently in your car stereo/MP3 player?
Frank Zappa.
Tell me 3 songs or artists that people might be surprised to hear that you like.
The Muppets, Kenny Rogers and the Village People.
What was your first instrument?
Santa’s elves built me a drum set.
Any nerves prior to, or while, onstage?
No.
What is the story behind “Mystery”?
I wrote it in my head
while mountain biking in
What are some of your other interests?
Snowboarding, Guns, Kendo, Movies, my dog “Buddy” and Xbox 360.
What is your favorite Monophonics song, and why?
“Love Doesn’t Come Easy.” It’s the first one I recorded.
What is your personal songwriting process?
Grab a tablet and a new jar of peanut butter.
Other than music, what would be your dream job?
Manager at “Toys R Us.”
Favorite movie and show?
Star Wars/Sopranos.
Ever had any sort of formal musical instruction?
No. Self taught.
How would you describe yourself, offstage? Your bandmates?
I’m a Fraggle on steroids.
Sean Nestor - Guitar, Acoustic, Vocals
