Raised amid the rich musical culture and history of the San Francisco Bay Area, Monophonics proudly carry the torch through the generations into today’s musical landscape. Holding on to tradition, but by no means purists of any kind, they play their own brand of music known as “Psychedelic Soul.” The 2012 release of Monophonics last album In Your Brain saw the band pulling influences from such acts as early Funkadelic, Sly and The Family Stone and the The Temptation’s Norman Whitfield produced records. With the new album, Sound of Sinning (April 1, 2015 on Transistor Sound Records), the band has grown in all areas of record making and felt a need to explore other important influences. While the group has come to cherish these inspirations, with Sound of Sinning they started venturing beyond, to the groups that were inspiring those soul acts to embrace the psychedelic sound of the 60’s and 70’s.
Bands such as The Zombies, The Beatles, Beach Boys and Pink Floyd. Even with the experimentation of new musical territory, they display the sound that people know and love about Monophonics. Touching on Northern soul, doo-wop, rock and roll, Psych pop, and cinematic music, Monophonics show off their diversity while remaining true to their roots. Overall it’s heartfelt music and old school vibes, without losing sight of the present. This is music steeped in that timeless feeling when people could write and produce songs that you could listen to over and over again. Sound of Sinning was produced by Kelly Finnigan & Ian McDonald and recorded on an old Tascam eight-track 1/4” tape machine at Transistor Sound Studios in San Rafael, CA.
Monophonics is Austin Bohlman (Drums), Myles O’Mahony (Bass/Background Vocals), Ian McDonald (Guitar/Background Vocals), Ryan Scott (Trumpet/Back- ground Vocals/Percussion) & Kelly Finnigan (Keys/Lead Vocals) along with a rotating 2nd horn usually filled by Nadav Nirenberg (Trombone) from Ikebe Shakedown and Breakdown Brass.
Monophonics @ Buffalo Iron Works – Promises
Monophonics – Promises Lyrics:
I knew a man
Who lied to the world
Hid from the truth,
Lived a life with no rules
I knew a man
He lied to himself
Scared of reality
Scared to ask for help
And he made promises
But they were all just lies
And he broke promises
Bringing tears to their eyes
And he made promises
That he could never ever keep
Breaking his promises
Leaving broken hearts to weep
I had a friend
Who had big dreams
Took on the world
But soon turned to schemes
I had a friend
Though he became a stranger
Hid from the world,
Lived a life high on danger
And he made promises
But they were all just lies
And he broke promises
Bringing tears to their eyes
And he made promises
That he could never ever keep
Breaking his promises
Disapointment runs deep
And he made promises
But they were all just lies
And he broke promises
Bringing tears to their eyes
And he made promises
That he could never ever keep
I’m breaking his promises
And the bad blood runs deep
And he made promises
But they were all just lies
And he broke promises
Bringing tears to my eyes
And he made promises
That he could never ever keep
He’s breaking his promises
And the bad blood runs deep
